M-Sea Program
Project Leader: Lesley Rochat
Background
By combining science, education and awareness, the SOSF Maxine-Science Awareness Program (M-Sea), initiated by Lesley Rochat of AfriOceans Conservation Alliance (AOCA) and supported by the Two Oceans Aquarium, aimed to make a meaningful contribution towards the conservation of Africa’s sharks. Through the M-Sea’s multimedia approach in creating awareness, it has already successfully reached an estimated 100 million people worldwide.
M-Sea’s unique scientific research project began with the tagging and releasing of ragged tooth (sandtiger) sharks (Carcharias taurus) from the Two Oceans Aquarium in 2004. To date three sharks have successfully re-integrated into the wild after spending up to 14 years in captivity. The tagging of a further 4 sharks, whose tags were funded by the aquarium, have allowed the team to compare the movements of the released sharks to that of the wild animals.
M-Sea’s unique scientific research project began with the tagging and releasing of ragged tooth (sandtiger) sharks (Carcharias taurus) from the Two Oceans Aquarium in 2004. To date three sharks have successfully re-integrated into the wild after spending up to 14 years in captivity. The tagging of a further 4 sharks, whose tags were funded by the aquarium, have allowed the team to compare the movements of the released sharks to that of the wild animals.
In the field & in the classroom
Lesley Rochat
The use of satellite and ultrasonic tags, including data retrieved from ultrasonic base stations, has enabled M-Sea to build up an impressive database of previously unknown information about the migration, breeding and general behavior of the ragged tooth shark. This new insight was instrumental in the successful submission made by AOCA, Dr Leonard Compagno and SOSF to revise the status of the ragged tooth shark on the IUCN Red List to ‘vulnerable’ in South Africa and a worldwide upgrading to ‘endangered’.
To increase public awareness M-Sea launched the SOSF Rethink the Shark campaign in Cape Town, South Africa. It targeted summer holidaymakers, aiming to put shark bites into perspective by using the compelling Rethink the Shark concept created for M-Sea by advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi. Over a million people were reached via a mobile billboard, the screening of 3 Rethink the Shark TV commercials, posters and peak caps handed to 40,000 beach-goers, and a high profile newspaper competition and editorial campaign.
Additionally, M-Sea has run numerous outreach programs targeting children and teachers, in which a Two Oceans Aquarium teacher provides lessons to children and workshops to teachers at remote coastal schools. Another program for disadvantaged children is being run in Gansbaai, the white shark cage diving centre of South Africa. This program allows children a unique opportunity see the kings of the sea up close and personal, hopefully instilling an enduring awareness.
M-Sea is also involved in the Edutrain, a classroom on wheels that runs along the coast in False Bay. In a partnership with the City of Cape, M-Sea’s marine educationalist provides lessons on sharks to groups of up to 100 children at a time.
To increase public awareness M-Sea launched the SOSF Rethink the Shark campaign in Cape Town, South Africa. It targeted summer holidaymakers, aiming to put shark bites into perspective by using the compelling Rethink the Shark concept created for M-Sea by advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi. Over a million people were reached via a mobile billboard, the screening of 3 Rethink the Shark TV commercials, posters and peak caps handed to 40,000 beach-goers, and a high profile newspaper competition and editorial campaign.
Additionally, M-Sea has run numerous outreach programs targeting children and teachers, in which a Two Oceans Aquarium teacher provides lessons to children and workshops to teachers at remote coastal schools. Another program for disadvantaged children is being run in Gansbaai, the white shark cage diving centre of South Africa. This program allows children a unique opportunity see the kings of the sea up close and personal, hopefully instilling an enduring awareness.
M-Sea is also involved in the Edutrain, a classroom on wheels that runs along the coast in False Bay. In a partnership with the City of Cape, M-Sea’s marine educationalist provides lessons on sharks to groups of up to 100 children at a time.
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Aims & objectives
To continue its shark conservation campaign, M-Sea continues to actively participate in public festivals, running satellite tag competitions and producing three permanent shark displays at the Aquarium: Kiddies Maxine the Shark display, SOSF M-Sea program display and the Splendour of Sharks display. These are seen by an estimated 410,000 visitors a year, of which 110,000 are children.
Expanding on the M-Sea Shark Encounter signage, which is on all beaches in Cape Town and Gansbaai, a new sign called Save Our Sharks, is also being developed for all major harbors in the western Cape. This sign targets fishers, a group posing a great threat to shark populations, especially to inshore and endemic species that are being threatened by increased fishing pressure.
Expanding on the M-Sea Shark Encounter signage, which is on all beaches in Cape Town and Gansbaai, a new sign called Save Our Sharks, is also being developed for all major harbors in the western Cape. This sign targets fishers, a group posing a great threat to shark populations, especially to inshore and endemic species that are being threatened by increased fishing pressure.