2025 proved to be a year of resilience and steady progress for our shark monitoring project in the Gansbaai region. Working in a landscape of rocky reefs, sandy bottoms, and kelp forests, the team navigated challenging weather conditions and early-season vessel upgrades while still delivering meaningful scientific outcomes.
Over the year, 58 research trips were completed using a mix of boat-based surveys, shore fishing, and freediving. Analysis of Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) confirmed boat-based fishing to be the most effective method. In total, 188 sharks were captured and assessed across 7 target species, including Leopard and Pyjama Catsharks, Common Smoothound, Spotted Gully Shark, and the Dark, Brown, and Puffadder Shysharks. These species are endemic to South Africa and remain underrepresented in conservation data. Several are currently red-listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as vulnerable or endangered, highlighting the importance and urgency of continued monitoring.
In addition to assessing species composition, size structure, and habitat use, 42 individuals were successfully tagged to support tracking of movement patterns and growth rates. Being small to small-medium size shark species, recaptures are essential to build comparative datasets. While no recaptures were reported in 2025, we remain optimistic for future recaptures and valuable insights. Importantly, the team recorded zero shark fatalities during the research activities, reflecting a strong commitment to ethical, science-led fieldwork and animal welfare.
The 2025 data are shared with national and international research databases, contributing to evidence-based conservation, fisheries management, and future ocean policy. Looking ahead, the project will expand to include additional threatened and historically overlooked species, further strengthening long-term monitoring and protection efforts.
Beyond research alone, we strongly believe in community outreach and education. By combining scientific expertise with active local engagement, we aim to empower communities and build lasting stewardship for South Africa’s marine environment.
This is conservation driven by data, delivered with care, and powered by collaboration!