A number of talks and symposiums were held during the Festival. Below is a list of the presentations and a brief introduction on the talk.
Alison Kock (Shark Research Centre, Iziko South African Museum)
White shark research: why do we need it?
Great white sharks are top predators, feeding primarily on seals and other sharks/fish in South Africa. By studying these predators, scientists gain a better understanding of the impact they have on their marine environment and their role in regulating populations of other marine animals. Thus, great white sharks play a vital role in maintaining marine ecosystems, and our knowledge of them will help us understand the environment around them.
Charlene Da Silva (Inshore Resources, Shark Scientist, Marine and Coastal Management)
The demersal shark fishery in South Africa
Historically there has been little effort to manage South Africa’s shark fisheries. However, as global shark fisheries continue to grow as a result of declining teleost (bony fish) stocks, scientists and managers now recognise the need to better understand and manage these fisheries. Two recent stock assessments and a TRAFFIC report indicate that demersal sharks in South Africa may be at risk of stock depletion resulting from exploitation, particularly due to bycatch in the trawl fisheries. To ensure sustainability of this fishery, management intervention is required.
Mike Meyer (Senior Scientist, Marine and Coastal Management)
Eye in the sky: the use of satellite tracking of sharks
Using satellite technology, it is becoming more and more feasible to track sharks over long temporal and spatial distances. There are several different methods of tagging, however the most recent and advanced technique is the use of PAT or pop-up archival tags, which record temperature, depth and other variables of the animals marine environment. Tracking data gives scientists invaluable insight into the lives of these animals, thereby giving us a more holistic understanding of their movement and behavioural patterns.
Maria Honig (WWF Responsible Fisheries Programme)
Bycatch in South African tuna longline fisheries: the way forward on implementing the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries management
Tuna longline fisheries in South Africa catch significant numbers of blue and mako sharks as bycatch. Working together with the longline fishermen, WWF conducted an in-depth study into the impact of these longline vessels on blue and mako populations. Results indicated that foreign vessels catch significantly more sharks in our waters than South African tuna vessels. WWF and South African tuna fishermen are developing methods to reduce bycatch in this fishery, thereby ensuring the sustainability of blue and mako populations.
Lesley Rochat (AfriOceans Conservation Alliance)
Global threats to sharks
Misconceptions and misunderstanding are two of the greatest threats facing sharks today. Many people still regard sharks as monsters – bloodthirsty animals that knowingly hunt down humans for food. Through the programmes at AfriOceans Conservation Alliance, Lesley is attempting to change these perceptions of sharks, thereby aiding in their conservation.
Ryan Johnson (University of Pretoria)
Tracking the Great White Shark (Carcharodon carcharius)
Until recently, scientists did not believe that great white sharks would undertake long migrations. However, after tagging Nicole in Gansbaai, South Africa, this misconception was quickly changed. Using PAT (pop-up archival tags) technology, scientists discovered that Nicole moved huge distances, travelling from South Africa to Australia and back again. This indicates how little we actually understand sharks and how important tracking studies are to improve our comprehension of their behaviour.
Fiona Ayerst (Sharklife Conservation Group)
Conservation of sharks: through the lens
Using photography as a tool, Fiona examined how awareness affects shark conservation. By photographing sharks in their natural environment, Fiona strives to demystify them showing them as elegant and graceful masters of their domain.
