When I approached the end of my MSc, I had a sad realisation. Though I was a three-time graduate, academic qualifications alone were not enough to enter the job arena. What would make my internship-slash-job hunt difficult was my lack of practical experience and skills. Imagine my surprise when I was accepted into the Graduate […]
Category: Conservation
Protecting the Planet Together: Plastics SA Donates Waterbags to Shark Spotters
Between the Namibian and Mozambican borders, where the great desert meets the succulent Karoo, and where the Indian Ocean’s coastal vegetation creeps between countries, lies the southernmost coastline of Africa. Here, over 3,000 km of ocean thrashes against mountain cliffs, laps on sandy beaches and rocky shores, and meanders into the estuaries to meet towering coastal […]
A marine science graduates thoughts about the 7th International Marine Conservation Conference
For the first time ever the 7th International Marine Conservation Conference (IMCC7) was held in Cape Town in October 2024. Having the incredible opportunity to attend this conference it felt particularly special to me as it was the first time it was hosted on the African continent. The conference officially began on Monday, October 14th, […]
Shark Conservation with Shark Spotters
Hi! My name is Ingrid Martinson and I am the 2024 North American Scholar of the Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society (OWUSS). I recently graduated with a BS in Marine Science from California State University, Monterey Bay. As an OWUSS scholar, I have a year-long travel fellowship to explore SCUBA diving and marine conservation around the […]
A cup of pool water and gratitude: recalling the journey to my commercial dive certification
Twelve of us gathered in the Oceanography Department’s parking lot — groggy, quiet, and carrying weeks of training on our backs. It was an early Friday morning in December 2024 and, I, for one, was sleep-deprived and nervous. The soft conversations around me matched the gentle light streaming through the oak trees overhead. Three tests […]
The IOI-SA Ocean Governance Training Programme: A Journey of Learning, Collaboration, and Marine Conservation
In November, I had the privilege of attending the International Ocean Institute – Southern Africa (IOI-SA) Ocean Governance Training Programme between the 4th and 29th. I was among participants from 12 different African countries, including early-career researchers, experts, and professionals in their respective fields. Throughout the program, we engaged in café sessions to share our […]
Eating shark meat might be riskier than you think…
Sharks are renowned as apex predators in marine ecosystems and are often depicted in a sinister light with their wide jaws, sharp teeth and swift movements. Despite their formidable presence, they are not immune to threats, including being hunted and consumed as a source of fish protein. Annually, over 1.4 million tons of sharks, including […]
Shark Spotters Partners with City of Cape Town, SANParks, and CapeNature for improved baboon management in Cape Town
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA, 23 December 2024 – A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed with the City of Cape Town last week, formalising a three-year partnership for Shark Spotters to assist the authorities with the implementation of the Cape Peninsula Baboon Strategic Management Plan (CPBSMP). Positive discussions are also underway to form similar partnerships […]
Shark Spotters Honoured at the 2024 SANParks Kudu Awards
The South African National Parks (SANParks) Kudu Awards stands as a prestigious celebration of excellence, honouring organisations and individuals who go above and beyond in championing education, outreach, and conservation within South Africa’s national parks. Now in its 18th year, this event shines a spotlight on those who tackle critical conservation topics with unwavering passion […]