Some birthdays you spend with cake and candles, others you spend tracking apex predators across one of South Africa’s most dramatic marine landscapes. This year, I was lucky enough to experience the latter, and I honestly haven’t felt this excited since I was a kid tearing into Christmas presents. We Read more
“After living for nearly 100 years on this planet, I now understand the most important place on Earth is not on land, but at sea.” – Sir David Attenborough The ocean is the heart and lungs of the planet, supporting all life on Earth, but the health of the ocean Read more
In marine science, some discoveries unfold in the lab, others at sea. And some begin with a surprise email from an old colleague. In early 2024, I received such a message from Dr. Chelsea Black. Chelsea, now at Project Hiu in Indonesia, had been an intern long ago while I Read more
In South Africa, crowds of tourists come to see one particular animal, hoping for a close-up glimpse. Everywhere you look, this animal is on t-shirts, restaurant signs, street crossings, and all kinds of souvenirs. Is it the mighty lion? The regal leopard? No, actually, it is the small and unassuming Read more
Few marine creatures capture the imagination quite like nudibranchs. These vibrant, soft-bodied sea slugs are favourites among divers and underwater photographers, thanks to their stunning colours and bizarre forms. But in addition to being the stars of our marine social media feeds, nudibranchs also serve a crucial role as indicator Read more
Grab a snorkel and head down to Simon’s Town for an accessible taste of the Great African Sea Forest. This little slice of paradise is also home to “Happy Eddie” — the slightly more comforting nickname of the puffadder shyshark. Getting there Just a short drive outside of Cape Town, Read more
Cow sharks (Notorynchus cepedianus) were once frequently spotted in the waters around Millers Point. Between the inner and outer kelp forests in a clearing, infamously called ‘Shark Alley’. Divers would be surrounded by up to 10 + cow sharks at any one time pre 2014/15. However, in recent years, sightings Read more
Rabies in Cape fur seals is now a confirmed and alarming development along the South African coastline. False Bay, home to both Cape fur seals and Cape Research and Diver Development (Cape RADD), has long been a paradise for marine biologists, tourists and locals alike. Snorkelling and diving among the playful Read more
Just like human fingerprints, no two shy sharks have the same pattern of spots and stripes! We use these unique markings to identify individuals in our Snorkel for Science adventure. Trying to match a shy shark by its spots is like playing an underwater game of “Where’s Wally?” (or “Where’s Read more
In today’s competitive job market, young scientists face the challenge of standing out among the crowd of so many university qualified candidates. Many Universities offer marine biology or other related biological sciences now, but often these courses lack the opportunity to offer hands-on experiences to students. One of the most Read more