White Shark Projects

Orcas vs. Whale Sharks!🐋 🦈 Did you know orcas in Mexico’s Gulf of California have been seen hunting whale sharks - the ocean’s gentle giants? 🐋 These apex predators work together to target the sharks’ vulnerable pelvic region, causing them to bleed out before consuming their organs. 🍣 Between 2018 and 2024, four such events were documented, with one male orca, “Moctezuma,” leading the charge in three cases. While whale sharks do face natural predators, human threats like overfishing, bycatch, and boat strikes are far more devastating. Classified as Endangered, they need our help! Support whale shark conservation by choosing sustainable seafood (WWF- SASSI) , advocating for marine protected areas, and spreading awareness. 🌎 Together, we can protect these magnificent creatures! 💙 Photo by Kelsey Williamson #whitesharkprojects #whaleshark #orca #killerwhale #orcavswhaleshark #orcapredation #gentlegiant #oceanpredators #sharkbyte #Moctezuma #California #Mexico #oceaneducation #endangered #seafood #sustainableseafood

What a great full '1st' day on our marine in Gansbaai, SA. Just realised I think I left my readers on the plane so will be wearing sunnies for ever more! Today we have done a cave (well mine ended abruptly from being sat in a rock pool), beach and headland walk, visited a shipwreck, the most southern part of Africa and had the best cheeseboard ever! Tomorrow is likely to be as action packed and it is to some beach cleaning as we go by being able to remove washed up rope too! White Shark Projects

Learning about the local small shark species which we are hopefully tagging tonight to help with understanding their relevance in the local ecosystem. Our students and staff are taking everything in with an afternoon at the Makhasane swop shop where community children can swop their recycling items for points to spend on items from the shop. The University Centre Myerscough sunglasses are pens are being well received! White Shark Projects

Just on our way to Cape Town after spending 10 days (almost) in Gansbaai with White Shark Projects and GAP Africa Projects. The trip was an amazing time to experience both marine and Western Cape ecology and conservation. We were also so lucky to be able to celebrate Amy and Ben's engagement, a fab and amazing couple on the volunteer programme. 🤩 It was so nice to be able to play 'mum' for Amy who is away travelling with her new fiancée for the year! Now we are en route to Cape Town to play at being tourists for a few days... 5th time lucky, I hope to get onto Robben Island! 

Did you know that recent studies have confirmed the presence of toxic levels of cocaine in 13 sharpnose sharks off the coast of Rio de Janeiro! 😰 Many of you might start getting flashbacks to the infamous movie "cocaine sharks" but the scariest part of this discovery is the effect that it will have on these sharks and the ecosystems they inhabit. 😢 Five of the sharks that tested positive were pregnant at the time. The effects that these kinds of drugs have on animals are unclear but thought to be similar to the effects seen in humans.👶🦈 The cocaine is thought to have been introduced into the ecosystem via runoff from illegal labs as well as through human excrement.🌊🚽 This is yet another example of how our actions affect the world around us. The time for change is now!🌍 Photo by Andy Murch. #whitesharkprojects #sharkbyte #cocaineshark #sharkscience #saveoursahrks #sharkconservation

From one Africa trip to the next…. Just planning our next Africa trip to Cape Town with a small group of 9, 3 days after I return from trip 1! Soooo looking forward to both but cannot wait to see what Jess, White Shark Projects and I throw together! Marine conservation - a very special fav of mine! Cape Town & Gansbaai 2024 Nick Gornall Jason McAleese Tegan Brown Molly Martin

DID YOU KNOW White Shark Projects has been announced a WINNER at the Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Awards? This means that we are officially in the top 10% of things to do worldwide! 😱🤩 Thank you to everyone who has visited and supported us over the last year! 🤗 #whitesharkprojects #tripadvisor #travellerschoice #top10 #sharkcagediving #adventure #travel

Studies have shown that ocean warming has detrimental impacts on shark populations. 🦈 Around 40% of over 500 species of sharks lay eggs. One study proved that in warmer water, only 11% of eggs will hatch. 🥚 Additionally, warmer water has been shown to boost sharks metabolic rate, causing them to use up much more energy just to stay alive. 🦈⚡ Shortfin makos have been reported diving deeper, in search of cooler waters. 🌊 Other shark species have been seen moving northward to find suitable habitats. This can cause an increase in human-wildlife conflict. ❌ More tiger sharks have been seen in the northwest Atlantic Ocean, meaning they have moved out of protected areas where longline fishing has been prohibited, and into much more dangerous waters where fishing is rife. 🎣😢 #sharkscience #sharkconservation #saveoursharks #whitesharkprojects #shark #globalwarming #climatechange #sharkbyte #sharkbite

A silky shark travelled over 17 000 miles from the Galapagos, out into the open Pacific ocean and back again. This is the longest migration ever recorded for a silky shark! 😱 Genie, named after late marine biologist Eugenie Clark, completed this amazing migration over the course of 1 year. It is thought that she made the migration either to find better food, give birth, or to mate. 🦈 This information allows scientists to better understand the movements of a species that is Vulnerable and threatened with extinction. 💔 #whitesharkprojects #sharkbyte #sharkscience #sharkconservation #silkyshark #EugenieClark

Shark etiquette at the dinner table. 😂🦈 Credit: Phil Watson - Shaaark! #shaaark #whitesharkprojects #sharkcartoons #shark #funny #funnyanimals