🚨 Foreign trawlers in Algoa Bay = another reminder: enforcement alone isn’t enough. Public participation matters. ✔️ Report suspicious activity ✔️ Document evidence ✔️ Support accountability 🔗 Read more: www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026...

This juvenile Shortfin Mako (Isurus oxyrinchus) was reported stranded along the Mossel Bay coastline. By the time we were informed, the animal had already passed away. 🦈

This week the ocean showed off a little 🎣🌊 Our students had one of those rare fishing days where everything just worked—teleosts, baitfish, and even our endemic pajama & leopard catsharks 🦈 It’s called fishing, not catching for a reason.

This week our students got a rare look into marine mammal stranding response 🐋 Not a session we run often — so we simulate it using full-size inflatable dummies to practise real handling, movement, and team coordination safely.

Say hi to Kate and Janosch 👋 They joined us in March… and clearly weren’t ready to leave, so they stayed on through April too. From time on the water to hands-on fieldwork, they’ve been right in the middle of it all. Hear what their experience at Oceans Research Institute has been like 🌊🦈

Not all marine science happens in the ocean 🌊 Our students spent time at Hartenbos Animal Hospital learning what actually goes into handling strandings — turtles, seals, injuries, and the reality of working with wildlife.

🦈🌙 Night shore fishing = unexpected gems Our students landed a lesser guitarfish (Rhinobatos annulatus) — a ray with a shark-like body, built for life on sandy seafloors. We collect small fin clips for genetic work to better understand populations and connectivity. All safely released.

🦈 A tagged white shark. A full year of movement data. And a clear spatial overlap with active fishing effort. This isn’t just about one individual — it’s about what happens when shark movement and fisheries intersect. We break it down here: www.linkedin.com/posts/enrico...

Shifts in Great white shark presence aren’t driven by one factor. Yes, Orca predation plays a role. But as highlighted by Enrico Gennari, we need to focus on what we can control: shark nets, longlining, and human impact. 🎥 youtu.be/3nQvcTYxVi8?...

At the Oceans Research Institute, we’re learning responsible fishing techniques for research 🎣🌊 From tying rigs to using circle hooks and flattening barbs, it’s all about reducing harm while collecting solid data 🐟📊 #MarineResearch #EthicalFishing #OceanScience #CatchAndRelease

Finally back at sea after a week on land 🌊 Today we encountered two great white sharks 🦈 Numbers remain lower than expected, making every sighting a valuable reminder of why conservation efforts for this species are critical 💙

Big swells this week mean no launches for now. It might feel like a pause for us, but for the ocean this is all part of the process that keeps things functioning.

Your home above the bay 🌅🌊 Welcome to Twin Palms, a historic home in Mossel Bay built in 1902—now the base for Oceans Research. Today, it’s where future marine professionals start their journey: early mornings, fieldwork, and a community that feels like home.

Fieldwork isn’t always perfectly framed—it’s often a mosaic of movement, teamwork, and controlled chaos 🌊 Somewhere in here: data collection, species identification, and at least one person trying not to slip on a rock.

Spotted on the beach in Infanta: the blue dragon, Glaucus atlanticus 🌊🐉 This tiny pelagic nudibranch spends its life drifting at the ocean surface, where it preys on venomous organisms like the Portuguese man o’ war.

This week our students are exploring a place very close to our hearts — Infanta. Where the Breede River meets the ocean, this small coastal town is packed with wild coastline, fynbos, and more marine life than you’d expect from such a quiet corner of South Africa.

This week we had the privilege of joining Erika Primary School alongside former Oceans Research student Pier Veller for a workshop centered around Ubuntu — “I am because we are.” www.instagram.com/p/DWcEj27jUj...

We’re proud to share that research led by our director, has been included in the White Sharks Global: Proceedings and Recent Advances in White Shark Ecology and Conservation, a special collection in Wildlife Research following the 2023 White Sharks Global Symposium in Port Lincoln, Australia.

Intertidal surprise this week 🌊⭐ We recorded a rare six-armed cushion star during our surveys. Cushion stars usually have five arms, but extra limbs can form when a damaged arm regenerates in an unusual way,a reminder of how resilient echinoderms are in these harsh, ever-changing habitats.

New study co-authored by Oceans Research director Dr. Enrico Gennari documents post-prandial visceral warming in free-swimming sharks using stomach-temperature biologging tags 🦈🌡️ Read the paper in Wildlife Research: connectsci.au/wr/article/5...

This week at Oceans is flying by — we’ve been BUSY. When we weren’t out on the water, we were analysing shark egg cases and found something special 👀 A rare biscuit skate (Raja straeleni) egg case. Every “mermaid’s purse” helps us understand distribution and reproduction 🌊

Oceans Research Institute was represented by Dr. Enrico Gennari at a recent conservation planning workshop focused on the endangered Indian Ocean humpback dolphin (Sousa plumbea).

Marine research isn’t only done from a boat or underwater. 🌊 Aerial drones (UAVs) allow scientists to survey coastlines, monitor marine wildlife, and collect high-resolution imagery for species identification and habitat mapping. Technology is expanding how we study the ocean.

Marine biology is no longer just mask, fins, and a clipboard. 🌊 Technology is rapidly changing how we explore and study the ocean, and tools like Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) are becoming essential for underwater observation, habitat surveys, and species documentation.

This week staff and students from Oceans Research Institute assisted SAPREC with the rescue of an injured Kelp Gull. The gull had tried to take bait from a fishing hook that had been cut or broken off but was still attached to a sinker. Once hooked, it could not free itself or fly away.

A juvenile Indian Ocean humpback dolphin (Sousa plumbea) was recently found dead in shark control gear near Tinley Manor in KwaZulu-Natal. news.mongabay.com/2026/03/prop...

Day one in the books. Today our new students were introduced to the program — how we work, why we work the way we do, and what’s expected when you step into real-world marine research.

Seal Island, Mossel Bay. A haul-out site for the Cape fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus) and a constant reminder that we’re working inside a living system. Our ethical fishing shifts collect regulated biodiversity data — this is the context behind it. #MosselBay #SealIsland #MarineFieldwork

This is what fisheries training looks like. Our students measuring a Santer (Cheimerius nufar) with proper support, controlled handling, and efficient technique. No rushed movements. No careless grips. No shortcuts.

Ever wondered how we get our data from the smaller cat and shy sharks? It starts like this 👇 When we catch juvenile catsharks and shysharks, we quickly measure their total length — from the tip of the snout to the end of the tail — while keeping them wet and fully supported at all times.

When people think marine science, they usually picture scuba gear and boats… but sometimes the best view is from above.

Do you know what BRUVs are? This footage says more than you think. BRUVs (Baited Remote Underwater Video systems) are a non-extractive, minimally invasive method used to study marine ecosystems — without divers in the water and without removing animals from their environment.

Close-up of a spotted gully shark eye 🦈👁 Sharks are generally rod-dominated in their retinal structure, supporting vision in low-light habitats. Many species also have a reflective layer (tapetum lucidum) and a protective nictitating membrane. Examined during necropsy. Even in death, we learn. 🌊

There’s something different about an African sunset. The ocean turns gold. And after a full day of fieldwork, everything feels still for just a moment. For our students, this isn’t a once-off view. It becomes part of their routine, early mornings, real research, salt in your hair

🦈 Ever wondered how sharks move? Or if they move in a specific way? Well…

Fieldwork in ecology is declining — and that should concern us. A recent Trends in Ecology & Evolution paper warns that as conservation leans more on models and big data, time in ecosystems is shrinking. Tech matters. But you can’t protect what you don't know. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

Huge thank you to Flinders for spending an unforgettable month with us 🌊 A month full of learning, growth, laughs, and incredible moments on and off the water. We wish each of you nothing but success as you move forward in your professional journeys, go chase those dreams, you’re more than ready 💙

Bad weather days don’t mean downtime 🌬️ They mean skill-building. Off the water, our students dive into shark physiology with Dr Enrico Gennari, learning how great white sharks are internally tagged and sutured post-surgery — with animal welfare at the core 🦈

The great whites are back in Mossel Bay, and we couldn’t be more excited! 🦈🌊 At Oceans, we’re passionate about these incredible sharks because they play a crucial role in keeping our oceans healthy. 🌍💙

Land dolphin shift: where our students learn that conservation isn’t just about being on the boat. It’s long hours scanning the horizon, identifying species, logging behaviour and learning how to read the ocean properly.

This video was created entirely by our students, sharing their own experiences here at Oceans 🌊 This video truly captures what Oceans is, what we do, and—most importantly—what we hope our students take with them from this program. www.instagram.com/reel/DURGXjQ...

Tinley Manor, sharks & safety — what the science says There is growing discussion around proposals to introduce shark control gear (such as shark nets or drumlines) at Tinley Manor on KZN’s North Coast. Shark nets do not form a barrier, and drumlines do not selectively catch sharks.

Fieldwork is the fun part, but the office is where the real story happens. 🎥 Our latest crew is getting stuck into BRUVs (Baited Remote Underwater Video) analysis this week.

Sharks aren’t guaranteed — patience is part of the process. After a scarce few weeks in the bay, today rewarded the wait. Relief, excitement, and plenty of smiling faces as great white sharks made an appearance. Student reactions say it all. 🦈

Great white shifts are a full team effort 🦈 🦴 Bait handler – lining the shark up just right for a clean fin ID 📸 Camera – living for dorsal fins and any ID marks

Great white population assessments aren’t just about spotting sharks 🦈 Students learn seaman skills, how to read shark behaviour around the boat, and how to act and react calmly on the water.

Intertidal biodiversity surveys are about more than just species lists 🪨🔍 At first glance, everything can look the same — or like nothing at all. But the stiller you are and the closer you look, the more life you start to notice along the shoreline 🌊

Today’s focus at Oceans: training the fundamentals 🪢 Prepping for tomorrow’s ATAP receiver turn-around means knot-tying that can withstand 8 months underwater and constant friction against steel railway sleepers. Strong data starts with strong skills — and building capacity in the field.

Week 1 done & what a way to kick off the month! At Oceans, we don’t believe in easing you in. After orientation, it’s straight into the field for real, hands-on experience. This Flinders group hit the ground running and fully embraced the pace. If this is just Week 1, we’re excited for what’s next 🦈

Today, January 17, 2026, the BBNJ Agreement officially enters into force as international law, creating the first-ever legally binding shield to protect marine biodiversity on the high seas Read our blog post to explore the impact on African penguins. www.krushanfoundation.org/what-is-the-...