I fell in love with the ocean not knowing there is more to it. To me, the ocean was always an escape, a place where the crashing waves against the rocks created a soothing melody that drew me back time and time again. With each visit, my curiosity about this vast body of water grew, leading me to pursue a degree in marine science at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) after matriculation. This thirst for knowledge eventually brought me to Shark Spotters. 

In June 2023, I was fortunate to be selected as one of five graduates for the Shark Spotters Graduate Training Program. I applied for this program because it provides practical learning opportunities for graduates from previously disadvantaged communities and helps them obtain accredited and non-accredited qualifications. This program has been instrumental in my growth as a marine scientist, exposing me to various aspects of the industry and at the top of the list of my highlights is attending a symposium for the first time in my entire life. 

On the 24th of October, with the rest of my team, I travelled to Durban to attend the 7th Southern African Shark & Ray Symposium (SASRS) which took place from the 24th to the 27th. This wasn’t my first-time visiting KwaZulu Natal (KZN). I used to visit KZN to partake in fisheries monitoring surveys when I worked at the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment  as a research intern. SASRS happens every two years and brings together the shark and ray research community to engage and share information on the status of their different projects including a wide range of disciplines from spatial, physiological, molecular biology, to conservation and socio-economic studies. During this event, several marine experts share light on some of the projects and/or academic research relating to sharks and rays which will deliver outcomes beneficial to sharks, and rays, marine ecosystems and human communities.  

I vividly remember the first night of the symposium. As a first-time symposium attendee, I was filled with both excitement and anxiety, unsure of what to expect. The opening night was warm and welcoming, with participants enjoying drinks and socializing. This friendly introduction set the tone for the symposium, and I couldn’t wait for the next day to begin. The atmosphere throughout the event was incredibly friendly, and I was delighted to find that seasoned scientists were eager to engage in conversations with us. Scientists from different countries presented their research on sharks and rays, sparking lively discussions and exchanges of ideas. Listening to scientists sharing their findings on different research projects was an experience I have always hoped for while I was still in varsity. I also noticed that there were different sectors, governmental and non-governmental working together with running projects. Seeing such collaboration cross sectors was encouraging because it means researchers can inform policies and mandates regarding the conservation and protection of sharks and rays. I was impressed to see after every presentation there was a discussion facilitated where there were questions asked, ideas exchanged, and suggestions recommended.  

All the presentations were compelling, but I especially enjoyed presentations that included the field work protocols that I was exposed to at Shark Spotters such as baited remote underwater videos (BRUVs). BRUV systems are like underwater security cameras that have bait to attract fish to the camera’s ‘field of view’. BRUVs are used to study the effects of fishing and to compare the diversity and abundance of sharks and rays within the marine environment. The presentations made me realize that I knew little about research related to sharks and rays and that there are gaps that need to be addressed in relation to sharks and rays. I made a note of the studies that I found interesting and would possibly choose to do when furthering my studies.  

As part of the Shark Spotters graduate training programme, I have done the Introduction in Science Communication course at Stellenbosch University. Once a month we get assigned scientific papers which we then present to our team and receive feedback. I saw public speaking as a valuable skill after listening to people speaking and applying their science communication skills at the symposium.  It was also great to see that students are exposed to such experiences to see how scientists try and use these conferences for networking in every corner. Overall, attending the conference was a significant milestone in my career development. I left feeling like a different person, part of a large and diverse community united by a shared vision of managing and conserving sharks and rays. I am grateful to Shark Spotters and the supporters of the graduate training program for this invaluable opportunity. 

Author: Aphendule Matyaleni