Sharklife

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Sharklife Research and education are the main tools we use to drive marine conservation objectives

As a non-profit organisation established in 2005, Sharklife addresses the alarming exploitation of both shark populations and ocean fisheries in South Africa, we actively engage in research and education to increase protection of vulnerable marine life.

10/10/2026

Few sights underwater compare to scalloped hammerheads swimming through the blue.

Through our research in the iSimangaliso Marine Protected Area, we've encountered three hammerhead species: scalloped, great and smooth hammerheads.

Scalloped hammerheads sometimes gather in large schools. Their distinctive head shape helps them detect the electrical signals produced by prey, while their widely spaced eyes provide a broad field of vision.

Our inshore BRUV surveys help document sharks using these coastal waters and contribute to long-term conservation research.

09/10/2026

Exploring the reproductive biology of rays through ultrasound research.

Our veterinarian, Alex, has been testing underwater ultrasound equipment on rays resting naturally in the rockpools at Sodwana Bay.

These preliminary trials allow us to refine the equipment settings and scanning techniques before applying them in the field.

The work forms part of a collaborative research project involving Sharklife, Nelson Mandela University and iSimangaliso.

Our aim is to assess the reproductive status of rays during research sampling, helping us better understand these vulnerable animals.

07/10/2026

A regular visitor to one of our permanent monitoring sites.

This green turtle uses the reef edge as a cleaning station, where small reef fish help remove algae and other organisms from her shell and skin.

Long-term monitoring often reveals much more than the species we set out to study.

Our interns, past and present, are part of the Sharklife family.Yesterday, our current group headed out together for the...
07/10/2026

Our interns, past and present, are part of the Sharklife family.

Yesterday, our current group headed out together for their first field trip.

They are the latest in a long line of interns from around the world who have contributed their time, energy and skills to Sharklife's conservation research. From collecting field data to monitoring sharks, rays and reef ecosystems, their contribution becomes part of the long-term research that continues well beyond any individual internship.

To all our past and present interns, thank you for being part of the Sharklife family and for the contribution you've made to our research and conservation work.

Yesterday's team, left to right: Inês 🇵🇹 · Joseph 🇫🇷 · Ronia 🇩🇪 · Sophie 🇩🇪 · Frida 🇩🇪 · Kian 🇬🇧 · Marta 🇵🇹 · Phillip 🇩🇪

20/09/2026

The shark our cameras recorded most often probably isn’t the one you’re expecting.

Across 779 stereo-BRUV deployments in the iSimangaliso Marine Protected Area, the African blackspot shark (Carcharhinus humani) was the most frequently recorded shark in our baseline survey. It accounted for almost half of all shark records.

Formerly known as Human’s whaler shark, this species is one of the clearest examples of what long-term camera surveys can reveal about the sharks using this coastline.

Read the full BRUV story: https://sharklife.co.za/when-are-sharks-and-rays-recorded-around-sodwana-bay/

13/09/2026

Hundreds of underwater camera surveys. One great hammerhead.

Across 779 stereo-BRUV deployments in the iSimangaliso Marine Protected Area, Sharklife recorded a great hammerhead (Sphyrna mokarran) on just one deployment.

The great hammerhead is the largest hammerhead species, with exceptional individuals reaching around 6 m in length. But in our BRUV dataset, it was one of the rarest shark encounters.

Most long-term monitoring is about identifying recurring patterns. Just as importantly, sustained survey effort can capture species that appear only occasionally and would otherwise be easy to miss.

Full BRUV story via the link in bio.

BRUV SharkResearch

13/09/2026

Hundreds of underwater camera surveys. One great hammerhead.

Across 779 stereo-BRUV deployments in the iSimangaliso Marine Protected Area, Sharklife recorded a great hammerhead (Sphyrna mokarran) on just one deployment.

The great hammerhead is the largest hammerhead species, with exceptional individuals reaching around 6 m in length. But in our BRUV dataset, it was one of the rarest shark encounters.

Most long-term monitoring is about identifying recurring patterns. Just as importantly, sustained survey effort can capture species that appear only occasionally and would otherwise be easy to miss.

Read the full BRUV story: https://sharklife.co.za/when-are-sharks-and-rays-recorded-around-sodwana-bay/

SHARKLIFE FIELD NOTES | ROCKY SHORE MONITORINGBlack Rock & Dog PointA day on the northern iSimangaliso coastline assisti...
12/09/2026

SHARKLIFE FIELD NOTES | ROCKY SHORE MONITORING
Black Rock & Dog Point

A day on the northern iSimangaliso coastline assisting with long-term rocky-shore monitoring undertaken with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority.

We were checking temperature loggers at Black Rock and Dog Point. These record conditions across the intertidal zone and contribute to long-term environmental datasets used to understand how rocky-shore communities change through time.

Fieldwork rarely goes exactly to plan. Some loggers were successfully checked, one could not be reached before the incoming tide, and another had disappeared from its mounting.

A fairly typical day in the field — a bit of science, a bit of problem-solving, and a long drive home.

We’re pleased to welcome our newest Marine Biology Training Interns to Sharklife in Sodwana Bay.Kian joins us from Kenya...
09/09/2026

We’re pleased to welcome our newest Marine Biology Training Interns to Sharklife in Sodwana Bay.

Kian joins us from Kenya🇰🇪, Joseph from France🇫🇷 and Frida from Germany🇩🇪.

Over the coming weeks they’ll be developing practical marine field skills, improving their species identification and gaining hands-on experience with the ecological monitoring methods used at Sharklife.

Welcome Kian, Joseph and Frida!!
great to have you with us.👐

06/09/2026

Ragged-tooth sharks do something no other shark is known to do.

They rise to the surface, gulp air and hold it in their stomach. That trapped air increases buoyancy, helping them hover almost motionless above the seabed with very little effort.

Sharklife has recorded this remarkable behaviour off Sodwana Bay. Our new article explains how it works, why it is so unusual, and how these sharks release the air again underwater.

Read the full story: https://sharklife.co.za/why-ragged-tooth-sharks-gulp-air-at-the-surface/

Address

Mbazwana
3974

Opening Hours

Monday 09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 17:00
Thursday 09:00 - 17:00
Friday 09:00 - 17:00

Telephone

+27829359427

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