Marine Research - Education - Conservation South Africa | Oceans Research
Oceans ResearchOceans Research Institute investigates the biology and ecology of mega-fauna, including sharks, marine mammals, and terrestrial carnivores; we advise governmental and non-governmental bodies on relevant conservation issues. We also offer multi-disciplinary practical and theoretical training for aspiring researchers from internship to postgraduate levels in conjunction with partner schools, technical colleges, and universities.
Our Motto
Oceans Research provides and facilitates innovative and dynamic research relevant to the management and conservation of Southern Africa’s wildlife.
We strive to divulge research discoveries to the scientific community and also to the general public, through our website, media releases, scientific and popular articles, and documentaries.
We fulfill our responsibilities towards the next generation of South Africa by educating young school pupils and students through our marine volunteer and internship programs, exposing them to species such as the White Shark, Cape fur seal, bottlenose, and humpback dolphins.
One of our primary goals is to ensure South Africa's white sharks conservation through novel research, innovative awareness approaches, and aimed conservation projects.
Latest research news
Written by on April 09, 2025
The deep ocean contains delicate ecosystems that scientists currently understand the least...
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Our students took the plunge into science with @gardenroutescuba1 !
They explored the world of microplastics and learned how to extract these tiny pollutants using a method called density separation. By floating plastic out of sand and water samples, they saw firsthand how science helps us protect our oceans.
Small plastics, big impact – and even bigger learning!
#MicroplasticAwareness #OceanEducation #YouthInScience #GardenRouteScuba #MarineConservation #HandsOnLearning #CaptainFanplastic
Apr 18
Great white sharks are disappearing, and other sharks are taking their place at the top of the food web.
We`re seeing the same trend in Mossel Bay as what happened in False Bay. But here, no new apex predator has taken the place of white sharks—yet.
Full story: https://www.thecooldown.com/outdoors/great-white-sharks-disappearing-seal-island-south-africa/
Our Director, Dr. Enrico Gennari adds:
“We agree with Dr. Hammerschlag that orcas have played a role, but we shouldn`t focus solely on them—this is nature. What worries me is how quick we are to blame nature, while at the same time, we humans in South Africa have likely killed between 30 and 50 to 60 white sharks per year over the past 30 years. It’s irresponsible not to address the issues within our control. Orcas do have both direct and indirect impacts, but we must first focus on what we can do better in our country.”
We can`t mainly blame nature—we need to take responsibility for our past and present and act for the future.
Photo Credit: iStock
#MarineConservation #GreatWhiteSharks #OceansResearch #SouthAfrica
Apr 17
♻️🌊 And we’re off! The Captain Fanplastic Recycling Competition has officially launched in Mossel Bay schools – and the challenge is ON!
From classrooms to playgrounds, learners are already turning trash into treasure. 💥 But this is just the beginning... there’s still plenty of time to climb the leaderboard and show us what your school is made of! 💪🎉
A huge shoutout to our awesome supporters – Garden Route Casino Trust, Rotary Club of Mossel Bay, and Earth Legacy Foundation – for making all this eco-magic happen!
Let’s keep it clean, keep it green, and may the best school win! 💚
#CaptainFanplastic #RecyclingChallenge #EcoFun #MosselBaySchools #TrashToTreasure #SchoolSpirit
Apr 15
Spot the difference…
Top: Jellyfish 🪼
Bottom: Plastic bag 🛍️
Now imagine you`re a hungry turtle 🐢
Out in the ocean, it’s not so easy to tell. That plastic bag looks just like a jelly — but eating it can be deadly.
Turtles, sunfish, and even whales often mistake plastic for food. One bite can lead to blockages, starvation, or worse.
We can tell the difference. Marine animals can’t.
Be the difference. Choose to reuse.
#JellyOrPlastic #HartenbosBeach #MarineLifeMatters #PlasticFreeOceans #CaptainFanplastic #ProtectOurPlanet #OceanAwareness #SayNoToPlastic
Apr 12
Would you hunt a Black Rhino for fun?
Then why are threatened marine species like Smooth Hammerheads, Soupfin Sharks, and Ragged-tooth Sharks still legally catchable in South Africa?
Some of these species are Critically Endangered—yet still appear on the permitted catch list. Many don’t survive catch-and-release. The ocean shouldn’t be a loophole.
We’re calling on Dr Dion George MP and @environmentza to:
Remove all CR & EN species from catch lists
Enforce zero bag limits
Launch public education on ethical angling
Let’s make sure future generations see these animals in the wild—not just on a screen.
Sign the petition: https://www.change.org/p/remove-threatened-marine-species-from-south-africa-s-permitted-catch-list
(Clickable on our story)
#ProtectOurSharks #MarineConservation #OceansResearch #OceanJustice
Apr 11
Making Waves Against Waste in Mossel Bay!
🌊♻️
We’re super proud to share that through the Captain Fanplastic program, schools in Mossel Bay have already collected over 40kg of waste—and that’s just on the days we were there!
But they didn’t stop there…
Learners are now weighing and tracking their recycling every week before it gets picked up. Talk about commitment!
This amazing progress wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support from:
Mossel Bay Rotary Club 🔵
Garden Route Casino Trust 🎰
Earth Legacy Foundation 🌱
Together, we’re building a wave of change—one school at a time!
#CaptainFanplastic #buckaneers #MosselBay #PlasticFreeOceans #YouthInAction
Apr 10
Ever seen a shark egg with curly tendrils?🥚🦈
This quirky little pouch belongs to a puffadder shyshark (Haploblepharus edwardsii)—a small, shy shark found only along South Africa’s coast. That wild spaghetti-looking stuff? It`s not random. Those curly tendrils are nature’s way of keeping the egg case safely anchored to kelp or rocks, so the baby shark inside doesn’t drift away.
Next time you’re beachcombing, keep an eye out for these “mermaid’s purses”—tiny ocean gifts that hint at the secret lives of sharks just offshore.🏖🥚🦈
#PuffadderShyshark #MermaidsPurse #SharkEggCase #MarineWonders #OceansResearchInstitute #EndemicToSA #SharkWeekEveryWeek #OceanCuriosities
Apr 9
After a well-deserved school break, we`re back in action and ready to make some waves! 🌊 This term kicks off with more @captain_fanplastic adventures, thanks to the amazing support from Earth Legacy Foundation, Mossel Bay Rotary Club, and the Garden Route Casino Trust! 🐢⚓ We can`t wait to keep inspiring young ocean heroes—one classroom at a time! 📚✨
Apr 6
Two days ago, we welcomed our new April students to the Oceans Research team! 🌊⚓ They’re already getting hands-on experience—learning essential boat skills, handling research gear, and becoming active crew members. 💪🚤 Exciting times ahead—welcome aboard!
#WelcomeAboard #MarineScienceInAction #HandsOnLearning #OceansResearch #futuremarinescientists
Apr 4
THE GREAT WHITES ARE BACK—AFTER A YEAR! 🦈🎉
For the first time in over a year, we finally had 3 great white sharks around our boat! Watching these iconic predators return to Mossel Bay has been an unforgettable moment—one that fills us with hope and excitement.
Great whites play a crucial role in the ocean’s ecosystem, and their absence was deeply felt by all of us. Their return reminds us of the ocean’s resilience and the importance of continued research and conservation.
To these incredible sharks: Welcome home! We’ve missed you.
Have you ever witnessed a great white in the wild? Tell us your story in the comments! 👇
#TheyreBack #GreatWhiteSharks #MosselBay #OceansResearch #SharkConservation #RespectTheOcean
Apr 3
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