10-12-2008 11:57 by Alison Kock (0 comments)
Shark Angels at Tiger Beach
There is a continuum in the Ocean,
Energy in continuous motion,
There is a consistency in the sea,
Holding in trust the sacred key. Photo courtesy Jim Abernethy
Older than mountains are the sharks
Upon this planet they have left their marks,
Patiently they have shaped evolution,
Surviving every mutated revolution.
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27-11-2008 18:25 by Alison Kock (0 comments)
Whale carcass at Muizenberg Beach
On Wednesday 26 November a large whale carcass washed to shore at Muizenberg. The carcass was evidence that some out-of-the-ordinary feeding activities had been taking place at sea. Shark bites were evident all over the dead whale and five shark sightings were recorded by Shark Spotters that day. On inspection of the bites it showed many of them to be from white sharks. Photos courtesy Ian Klopper
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31-10-2008 12:54 by Alison Kock (0 comments)
White shark at Fish Hoek in 2006
There is a hoax email using this photograph currently making its rounds. The photograph is copyright protected and unauthorized use is prohibited. Read the full story here. Photo Enrico Gennari / Copyright Alison Kock
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23-10-2008 15:33 by Alison Kock (0 comments)
Morne', Mark, Steven and Shane at Hangklip
This week we once again had the enormous job of retrieving and deploying acoustic receivers used to monitor white shark spatial patterns throughout False Bay for maintenance and to download the season’s data. We had to travel to the four corners of False Bay and on the way we had the pleasure and fortune of seeing incredible numbers of dolphins and other marine creatures.
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08-10-2008 12:55 by Alison Kock (0 comments)
Verona presents shark lesson
Oceans make up 70 % of the planet’s surface and around 60% of the human population lives along the coastal zone. South Africa is bordered by two mighty oceans – the Atlantic and the Indian – both of which are characterized by individual currents, ecosystems and marine living resources. Every year - since 1988 - South Africa celebrates National Marine Week. Its purpose is to create awareness on the marine and coastal environment and promote the sustainable use and conservation of these resources for the benefit of both present and future generations. This year Marine Week runs from the 13 – 17 October and the SOSSC is joining the festivities.
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22-09-2008 18:43 by Lesley Rochat (0 comments)
We just wanted to share a lovely letter of thanks from one of the schools that came to visit the Shark Centre.
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19-09-2008 21:16 by Alison Kock (0 comments)
Deploying Crittercam
Four successful deployments, each with 5 – 8 hours of footage and data, have been collected over the past two weeks. One of the main shortfalls of our 2004 and 2005 missions were that the clamps to which the cameras are attached would slip off the shark when it chased something. Thanks to some brilliant engineering by National Geographic’s Crittercam Team the clamp and cameras have been completely re-designed and are staying on for the full mission time - providing the first step to answering our burning questions on white shark prey choice and social nature. Photos courtesy Mike Meyer, Alison Kock and Morne' Hardenberg
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05-09-2008 17:04 by Alison Kock (2 comments)
Crittercam hitches a ride with a white shark
Imagine if you could see through the eyes of your favourite animal and spy on what they get up to when you are not around. In the next few months I am getting a unique opportunity to spy on my favourite animal - the great white shark - using the latest technology from National Geographic Society, called Crittercam™. Photo courtesy Andy Brande Casagrande IV
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21-08-2008 18:07 by Alison Kock (0 comments)
White sharks and people can co-exist
The white shark research project is a multi-faceted programme that aims to better understand the role of these sharks in ecosystems and make sure that relevant ecological information is collected to ensure management and conservation measures are up-to-date and adequate. The project also strives to build a better relationship between coastal communities and their toothy neighbours through the dissemination of this scientific information. Shark bites have a negative effect on both people and sharks and if we can reduce the already small risk of a shark bite through using the research data, then we can make a meaningful contribution to white shark conservation, contribute to the local communities well-being and set a precedent in how people and sharks can co-exist. Photo courtesy Morne' Hardenberg
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18-08-2008 12:41 by Alison Kock (0 comments)
White shark dissection begins
South Africa set a precedent when it protected white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) in 1991. As a result scientists do not get many opportunities to study the physiology and diet of these sharks in these protected waters. Recently, I was invited to participate in a dissection of a juvenile white shark that was found dead along the Western Cape coast of South Africa. Photo courtesy Julie Andersen.
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06-08-2008 18:23 by Lesley Rochat (0 comments)
Dr Leonard Compagno
A few weeks ago the 13th Southern Africa Marine Science Symposium was hosted by SANCOR (South African Network for Coastal and Oceanic Research) at the University of Cape Town.
The most exciting news is that Dr. Leonard Compagno, the SOSSC’s Chief Scientist, has won the prestigious 2008 Gilchrist Memorial Medal.
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12-06-2008 18:08 by Lesley Rochat (0 comments)
What a way to go! Just when I thought I could take a breather, World Ocean Day (WOD) crept up on me! We had only been open for two weeks, hardly caught our breaths after that grueling 90 days leading up to the opening, when the next thing we know we have only four days to pull off a whole series of events in order to raise awareness for WOD. But as always, dedicated to our cause and with the great team supporting me, we did it, again!
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05-06-2008 17:53 by Lesley Rochat (0 comments)
Photo: Lesley Rochat
In celebration of World Ocean Day, the recently launched Save Our Seas Shark Centre (SOSSC) will be driving a number of events in False Bay in order to raise awareness. It's up to each one of us to help ensure that our oceans are protected and conserved for future generations.
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24-05-2008 16:34 by Lesley Rochat (0 comments)
Lights, camera, action: The Centre from outside
What an incredibly huge success! It all came together in the last hour, literally - I was still mopping the foyer floor an hour before the guests arrived, Morne, Alison's fiance, was still out catching fish for our tank, and everyone was running around like headless chickens doing last minute things. But we did it, and with great success: a fantastic turnout of around 150 guests joined us in the community centre next door to the SOS Shark Centre to celebrate our opening. Thereafter we opened our doors and celebrated till the early hours - we deserved it!
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23-04-2008 19:22 by Lesley Rochat (0 comments)
Things are beyond hectic here at the Save Our Seas Shark Centre - we have less than 3 weeks before our big opening and first international shark workshop, and 24 hours in a day is just not enough!
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17-04-2008 19:17 by Lesley Rochat (0 comments)
Once again, the week has flown by at a truly hectic pace. Cheryl-Samantha Owen is back in town, the planning for the launch has now kicked into high gear and the centre is absolutely buzzing with activity.
Today was also the first of a two day stint with us for four Grade 12 students from Bergvliet High School. Amy Kemp, Liam Crowe, Kyle Harris and Jared Gobey are to spend two days working with us for their Community Service Practical, which forms part of their Life Orientation Studies at school.
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10-04-2008 18:51 by Lesley Rochat (0 comments)
Last week, Alison and the Save Our Seas Foundation hosted the City of Cape Town’s beach managers on the Save Our Seas Shark Centre’s research boat. The aim was to take the beach managers to Seal Island in False Bay to introduce them to the white sharks they hear and read so much about, but have never had the opportunity to actually see for themselves.
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03-04-2008 18:21 by Lesley Rochat (0 comments)
The wind here in Cape Town just refuses to stop blowing and has prevented Alison from going out to sea to study the White Sharks of False Bay. It does, however mean that she does get to spend a lot more time writing up her PhD thesis!
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28-03-2008 14:54 by Lesley Rochat (0 comments)
I can't believe that it's Friday, when I woke up yesterday morning I was really sure that it was Tuesday!!
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24-03-2008 14:50 by Lesley Rochat (0 comments)
After the exciting experience of releasing another shark the new week brought with it a set of different challenges: builders and interior designers moving slower than I would like, plumbers being fired, painters painting the house the wrong colour, and much more.
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