Plastics SA awarded Shark Spotters with the Caroline Reid Award earlier this year. Shark Spotters was selected  based the consistent efforts put into preserving the environment and engaging the community through initiatives such as coastal cleanup events.

Click for more information about the Caroline Reid Award.

The Portfolio highlighted that "Shark Spotters has found an innovative and inclusive way to protect important marine ecosystems in a manner that builds community and socio-economic opportunity in Cape Town, and distributes the benefits much further afield than the beaches of False Bay.

Click for more information about the Mayors Portfolio of Urban Sustainability 2016

According to the judges Shark Spotters showed "leadership in responsible tourism policies and practices in a beach setting, positive integration and relationships with local communities, and proven achievements in maintaining and conserving beach environments." The judges said: ‘Shark Spotters’ solution to safe beaches removes the fear factor from enjoying Cape Town’s beaches, while working to protect sharks, particularly the Great White Shark – a globally threatened species."

See here for more information about the African Responsible Tourism Awards 2016

An independent review of bather protection technologies commissioned by the New South Wales (Australia) government in 2015, placed Shark Spotters as the highest ranked shark mitigation measure available on the market, and the only one to meet all nine selection criteria and be suitable for immediate implementation at applicable beaches in Australia.

To see the review, click on the following link: Shark Deterrents and Detectors, Review of Bather Protection Technologies. Prepared for New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Australia

Shark Spotters, in partnership with the Save Our Seas Foundation, hosted the third edition of the Southern African Shark and Ray symposium, a biennial meeting of the academic community studying these taxa. Over 110 delegates attended the symposium where scientific knowledge was shared in an effort to secure the future of sharks and rays. Public outreach events also attracted a lot of attention, with over 500 people attending the #LoveFalseBay speaker evening.

Shark Spotters and the City of Cape Town won the Eco-Innovation Award for the unique, eco-friendly shark exclusion barrier on Fish Hoek beach. The judges noted  that the barrier "sensibly and holistically provided a financially practical and environmentally responsible solution to a highly emotive problem". The judges commended The City of Cape Town and Shark Spotters on their approach to retaining the integrity of a natural habitat while preserving the possibility of human-sea-life existence in a respectable manner.

Awarded to projects that show the ability to meet the social and economic needs of Capetonians without compromising the natural systems on which they rely, Shark Spotters was given a Silver award due to our sustainable approach to shark safety and our "determination to improve the relationship between humans and sharks by changing people's perceptions of these animals."