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: Education
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Empowering Youth for a Greener Tomorrow: Reflections from The Earthshot Prize Youth Leadership Programme
One hundred and twenty (120) climate youth leaders selected across Africa and Asia participated in the 2024 Earthshot Prize Youth Leadership Programme, held in Cape Town – and I was one of them! As a Capetonian, I was thrilled to share my home with young people from across these continents. My knowledge of Cape Town […]
Understanding shark activity in Plettenberg Bay
Plettenberg Bay is known for its vibrant tourism scene, attracting tens of thousands of visitors every year to its pristine beaches. As a key part of our marine ecosystem, sharks have long been a part of the local environment, with white sharks particularly known to visit our shores for over 20 years. While every year […]
Transformation and progress require intention and care – the Shark Spotters Graduate Training programme (SS-GTP) after a year
With the barriers to entry into the marine sector becoming steeper seemingly every three to five years, what sacrifices does one need to make to land one’s dream job? Has hard work and determination become just the bottom rung on the ladder to employment, while access, luck, and privilege now act as the jetpack that […]