DISCOVERING SHARKS IN SOUTH AFRICA

EARTHWATCH 2015
DISCOVERING SHARKS
IN SOUTH AFRICA
Nicole Morrill Page 1 6/18/15Nicole Morrill Page 1 6/18/15
MESSAGES FROM EARTHWATCH
DEAR EARTHWATCHER,
Thank-you for your interest in our Earthwatch project Discovering sharks in South Africa. We can't wait to meet you and have
you join our shark citizen science team!
We are so lucky to live and work in such a beautiful part of the world, and we look forward to sharing it with you. You will fall
in love with our study area - the beautiful Walker Bay in Hermanus. Located right near the bottom tip of Africa, Walker Bay is at
the heart of where two great oceans, the Atlantic and Indian Ocean, meet. The bay is teaming with wildlife, not only the sharks,
but whales, dolphins, seals, fish, lobster and many other animals! South Africa is a stunning country and we hope that you get
the chance to explore more of it before or after your time with us.
Sharks urgently need our help. Approximately 100 million sharks a year are killed and around a quarter of all species are
threatened with extinction. Fortunately, with assistance from people like yourselves, we can help save sharks. With this project,
we will learn more about several shark species that we know very little about and have rarely been studied. Many of these sharks
are endemic species, which means that they are found only in a small area in this part of the world.
You will get up close and personal with these amazing creatures helping us collect vital scientific data, measure, tag and release
the sharks. We will be able to look at their movement patterns through our tagging surveys and assess which habitats sharks are
found in. We will be deploying baited remote underwater video cameras (BRUVs) in areas that no one has ever done so before.
You will help us analyze the footage and you never quite know what may pop up on the screen! We will be trialing a photo
identification study so that we can identify individual sharks by their unique markings. Walker Bay is a seasonal Marine Protected
Area and we will be assessing the effectiveness of the MPA on shark populations.
All this knowledge is invaluable for our quest toward shark conservation. The data that we will be collecting will be used to
inform managers about critical information about shark's behaviors and habitats. Thanks to your assistance we will be making
some great, positive progress toward shark conservation in South Africa and around the world.
Thank-you for your interest in 'Discovering Sharks in South Africa'. We look forward to immersing you into our world soon!
Sincerely,
Earthwatch Scientists, Katie Gledhill, Meaghen McCord, and Tamzyn Zweig
DEAR EARTHWATCHER,
Thank you for joining this expedition! We greatly appreciate your decision to contribute to hands-on environmental science
and conservation.
As an Earthwatch volunteer, you have the opportunity to create positive change. And while you’re out in the field working
toward that change, we are committed to caring for your safety. Although risk is an inherent part of the environments in
which we work, we’ve been providing volunteer field experiences with careful risk management and diligent planning for
over 40 years. You’re in good hands.
We hope this expedition will inspire you to get more involved in conservation and sustainable development priorities—not just
out in the field, but also when you return home. We encourage you to share your experiences with others, and to transfer your
skills and enthusiasm to environmental conservation efforts in your workplace, community, and home.
If you have questions as you prepare for your expedition, contact your Earthwatch office. Thank you for your support,
and enjoy your expedition!
Sincerely,
Larry Mason
President and CEO, Earthwatch
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
GENERAL INFORMATION ................. 4
TRIP PLANNER ............................ 5
EXPEDITION PACKING LIST .............. 6
THE RESEARCH ........................... 7
DAILY LIFE IN THE FIELD ................ 10
ACCOMMODATIONS AND FOOD ......... 11
TRAVEL TIPS .............................. 12
PROJECT CONDITIONS ................... 13
SAFETY .................................... 16
PROJECT STAFF .......................... 17
RECOMMENDED READING ............... 18
EMERGENCY NUMBERS .................. 19
3
GENERAL INFORMATION
DISCOVERING SHARKS IN SOUTH AFRICA
EARTHWATCH SCIENTISTS
EXPEDITION DATES
Katie Gledhill, Research Scientist,
South African Shark Conservancy
Team 4: Jun. 21–27, 2015
Meaghen McCord, Founder and Director,
South African Shark Conservancy
Please refrain from booking flights until
you receive your complete rendezvous
information, which will be sent to you
upon request
Tamzyn Zweig, Research Scientist,
South African Shark Conservatory
RESEARCH SITE
.
Walker Bay, South Africa, Africa
4
TRIP PLANNER
DISCOVERING SHARKS IN SOUTH AFRICA
TRIP PLANNER
IMMEDIATELY
60 DAYS PRIOR TO EXPEDITION
□ Make sure you understand and agree to
Earthwatch’s Terms and Conditions.
□ If you plan to purchase additional travel insurance,
note that some policies require purchase when your
expedition is booked.
□ Make sure you have all the necessary vaccinations
for your project site.
□ Review the Packing Checklist to make sure you
have all the clothing, personal supplies and
equipment needed.
90 DAYS PRIOR TO EXPEDITION
30 DAYS PRIOR TO EXPEDITION
□ Log in at earthwatch.org to complete your
volunteer forms.
□ Pay any outstanding balance for your expedition.
□ Book travel arrangements (see the Travel Planning
section for details).
□ If traveling internationally, make sure your
passport is current and, if necessary, obtain a visa
for your destination country.
□ Leave the Earthwatch 24-hour helpline number
with a relative or friend.
□ Leave copies of your passport, visa, and airline
tickets with a relative or friend.
Read this expedition briefing thoroughly. It provides the most accurate information
available at the time of your Earthwatch scientist’s project planning, and will likely answer
any questions you have about the project. However, please also keep in mind that research
requires improvisation, and you may need to be flexible. Research plans evolve in response
to new findings, as well as to unpredictable factors such as weather, equipment failure,
and travel challenges. To enjoy your expedition to the fullest, remember to expect the
unexpected, be tolerant of repetitive tasks, and try to find humor in difficult situations.
If there are any major changes in the research plan or field logistics, Earthwatch will
make every effort to keep you well informed before you go into the field.
5
EXPEDITION PACKING LIST
DISCOVERING SHARKS IN SOUTH AFRICA
EXPEDITION PACKING LIST
BEDDING AND BATHING
GENERAL
□ This expedition briefing
□ Photocopies of your passport, flight itinerary, and
credit cards in case the originals are lost or stolen;
the copies should be packed separately from the
original documents
□ Bath towel(s)
□ All pillows and linen will be provided at the accommodation
PERSONAL SUPPLIES
□ Personal toiletries (biodegradable soaps and shampoos
are encouraged)
□ Antibacterial wipes or lotion (good for cleaning hands
while in the field)
□ Personal first aid kit (e.g., anti-diarrhea pills,
antibiotics, antiseptic, itch-relief, pain reliever,
bandages, blister covers, etc.) and medications
□ Passport and/or visa (if necessary)
□ Certification of vaccination (if necessary)
□ Documentation for travel by minors (if necessary)
CLOTHING/FOOTWEAR FOR FIELDWORK
□ Lightweight, long-sleeved shirts to be worn over
short-sleeve shirts for sun protection
□ Lightweight field pants (hiking pants with zip-off
legs work well
□ Spending money
OPTIONAL ITEMS
□ Comfortable shoes to change into after conducting field work
□ Snorkel gear: Mask, snorkel, and fins - Please bring gear
if you plan to snorkel.
□ Rain gear, including rain pants
□ Old clothes that can get dirty for field work
□ Wide brimmed hat for sun protection
□ Rashguard and/or wet suit if you plan on snorkeling
□ Camera, film or memory card(s), extra camera battery.
Waterproof housing (if you have one)
□ Video camera or GoProBinoculars (June teams are during
whale season)
□ Hardware for sharing digital photographs at the end of the
expedition
□ Dry bag or plastic sealable bags (e.g. Ziploc) to protect
equipment like cameras from dust, humidity, and water
□ Comfortable, closed toed shoes (i.e. sneakers)
□ Bathing suit(s)
CLOTHING/FOOTWEAR FOR LEISURE
□ At least one set of clothing to wear outside in the
evenings (we recommend a long sleeve shirt and
long pants as evenings tend to be cool)
□ At least one set of clothing to keep clean for end
of expedition
□ Pair of light shoes or sandals to wear around the
accommodations
□ Books, games, art supplies, etc. for free time
□ Earplugs for light sleepers
FIELD SUPPLIES
NOTE: Do not bring more luggage than you can carry and
handle on your own. If traveling by air and checking your
luggage, we advise you to pack an extra set of field clothing
and personal essentials in your carry-on bag in case your
luggage is lost or delayed.
□ Small daypack to keep your personal items
together and dry
□ Sunscreen lotion with SPF 30 or higher
□ Flashlight with extra batteries and extra bulb
(for walking around the accommodations after dark)
□ Two one-liter water bottles
□ Polarized Sunglasses with a strap
□ beach towel
6
THE RESEARCH
DISCOVERING SHARKS IN SOUTH AFRICA
THE STORY
Nearly a quarter of shark and ray species worldwide are at
risk of extinction (Dulvey et al 2014). It is estimated that
100 million sharks are killed each year (Worm et al. 2013),
largely due to the Asian shark fin market (Clarke et al
2006). As marine apex predators, elasmobranchs (sharks,
rays, and skates) are species that regulate the ecosystems
they occupy. The removal of shark species from the marine
ecosystem can have a detrimental impact on the entire
food chain (Ferretti et al. 2010). For example, fewer sharks
mean that the population of mid-level predators increases,
which in turn eat herbivorous fish. When these populations
decline, the algae they consume become more abundant on
the reefs, which can smother and destroy the reefs. This
example of the top-down effects of predators is known as a
trophic cascade.
South Africa has some of the richest, most diverse wildlife
of anywhere in the world. This includes a wealth of marine
species, about 33 percent of which are found only in
southern African waters and one of greatest shark
biodiversities globally (Compagno 2000; NPOA Sharks 2012).
While some species of sharks, such as white sharks, are well
studied in South Africa, there is little to no data available
on the many other species of sharks and fish that exist in
Walker Bay – a seasonally protected area in southern South
Africa (Compagno 1999). This study will be the first
comprehensive assessment of the marine biodiversity of the
bay.
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In 2014, the South African Shark Conservancy (SASC) worked
alongside the world renowned marine biologist, Dr Sylvia
Earle and Mission Blue to declare the Cape Whale Coast
Hope Spot, which Hermanus and Walker Bay are an integral
part of. As Dr Earle states: “We have the knowledge and the
technology, what we need is the will to use it intelligently
to ensure an enduring place for ourselves within the natural
system that keeps us alive.”
methods - Baited Remote Underwater Video Surveys
(BRUVs) and scientific angling. BRUVs will be used to assess
the diversity and abundance of fish and sharks, while
scientific angling will be used to assess shark populations
and collect scientific measurements and photographs for
the photo identification study, as well as collect genetic
samples. Genetic samples will be used to look at the
population structure of sharks on a wider regional, national
and international scale.
The first few study teams will help to collect baseline data
on the species diversity and seasonal abundance of shark
and fish populations in the bay, in addition to studying
which habitats these sharks prefer to spend their time in
and how they move around the bay. This data will form the
basis for a long-term monitoring study looking at how stable
these populations are and how much they vary. You will
also look at the importance of different habitats – including
kelp, rocky reef, sand, and estuarine habitats.
We will compare the species diversity, relative abundance
and economic cost between the two sampling methods:
BRUVs and shark angling. We will aim to assess the
scientific and cost effectiveness between the two methods.
The footage and images from the BRUV footage will be used
for educational and outreach purposes. This footage allows
us to share the beautiful underwater world of Walker Bay to
people who may not usually have access to underwater. The
footage will enable us to promote Walker Bay as sustainable
ecotourism destination.
As citizen scientists on this project, you will help to
collect data that will lead to critical scientific research,
management and conservation efforts.
Assess the effectiveness of using photo identification
software on Dark shysharks, Brown shysharks, Puffadder
shysharks, Leopard catsharks, and Spotted Gully Sharks. All
sharks that are sampled through the angling survey will be
photographed and uploaded into a database. This noninvasive technique has been successful in identifying
individuals from other shark and ray species, such as whale
sharks and manta rays (eg. Meekan and Cappo 2004; Meekan
et al 2006, Malcolm et al 2007; Brooks et al 2011; Bond et al
2012). If the technique is successful, we will launch a
regional citizen science project where divers and fishermen
can send in photos of sharks. This will help us assess shark
distribution and seasonal pattern along the coastline.
RESEARCH AIMS
To date there is no formal assessment of the shark, ray and
fish species that live in Walker Bay. We aim to document
which species are present in Walker Bay and assess whether
certain patterns or trends are displayed in the shark
populations. The research team has several objectives,
including:
Assess the species diversity and abundance of shark and fish
species across different habitats in Walker Bay. Investigate
the population size of individual species and how they use
their habitats. This objective will be addressed using two
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HOW YOU WILL HELP
• Aquaria and Touch tank maintenance and care:
You will assist with feeding the sharks in the tanks
at the research facility. You may assist in collecting
organisms for the facility touch tank. You will assist
project staff (from shore) with catching small demersal
sharks using snorkel gear and/or collecting shark egg
cases with growing baby sharks inside for our in-house
shark nursery.
As a volunteer on this expedition, you will be trained to be
involved in some or all the following research activities:
• Baited remote underwater video surveys (BRUVs)
deployment: You will accompany project staff to
deploy and retrieve BRUV rigs from a research vessel
and/or shore throughout the study sites in Walker Bay.
We will lower the BRUV rig into the water using a rope
and float system. Environmental parameters, such as
water depth, sea surface temperature, salinity, pH,
visibility, ocean current, wind speed and direction, and
habitat type will be recorded by the volunteers during
each sampling period.
• Shark Morphometric study: The project team is
currently re-evaluating a taxonomic key to assess
detailed measurements of endemic catsharks to
determine whether these measurements will assist
in species identification. You will assist by taking
detailed measurements on live sharks in our tanks.
• Baited remote underwater video surveys (BRUVs)
analysis: Back at the lab, you will download the video
and analyze the footage obtained from the BRUVs with
one of the project staff. This will involve counting the
number of sharks and other animals seen on the video
footage. You will be trained on how to identify local
shark and marine animal species.
You may also participate in one or more of the following
activities based on research needs and weather conditions:
• Eggcase hunts: You will work with one of SASC's
project partners, Whale Coast Conservation, in
assisting on eggcase hunts. Earthwatch teams will walk
along local beaches, document and collect eggcases
from sharks, skates and rays that are found on the
beach. This will help us determine which species are
found along certain beaches in the area.'
• Shark surveys: You will be present during each fishing
survey for shark species, assisting the trained staff
through the entire process. You will help to record
data, take length measurements, obtain a small fin
clip for later genetic analysis, and tag sharks.
• Shark Education and Outreach: SASC is passionate
about sharing research and conservation knowledge
with the public. The SASC laboratory is open to the
public and offers tours of the facility. Tours of the
facility are led by SASC staff. SASC regularly invites
school groups, white shark cage diving volunteers and
other community members to the facility. You may
assist with public education and outreach events.
• Photo identification: You will take photographs of all
sharks caught through the scientific angling surveys.
We may catch additional sharks and place them in our
holding tanks in the SASC facility. These photos will be
uploaded into our database to later be analyzed with
software to see if we can identify individuals by their
unique patterns. You will upload photos and data such
as tag number, sex, and other scientific measurements
into the database.
9
DAILY LIFE IN THE FIELD
DISCOVERING SHARKS IN SOUTH AFRICA
DAILY ACTIVITIES
Upon arrival to Hermanus, you’ll have a welcome lunch with
the team. You will receive an introduction and background
presentation to the project, to the South African Shark
Conservancy (SASC) and receive an orientation to
Hermanus. You will receive a thorough safety briefing on
how to safely work with the sharks to best protect yourself
and the sharks themselves. When we begin our fieldwork,
project staff will introduce and demonstrate each new task;
we’ll work with you until you’re comfortable with any new
activities. We will also be present and supervise all aspects
of the project to ensure data quality. Field work is a lot
of fun and you will have the chance to get up close and
personal with the sharks while helping us with our research!
BRUVs from shore or fish for sharks dependent on the
weather and research needs. The home team will analyze
BRUV footage from the previous day and/or input photo
identification and shark capture data into our database.
Equipment used on the preceding day will be checked and
serviced if necessary. Around noon, we will enjoy our
lunches and take a short break out in the field. In the
afternoon the teams will swap roles. After the day of
field work and data collection, we will all return to the
accommodations for showers and relaxation. Then, we will
convene for a group dinner and evening wrap up of the
day’s events. In general, research days will include up
to eight hours per day in the field or lab.
DAILY ACTIVITIES
* Please note that if weather is unfavorable for main
research tasks, the entire research and Earthwatch team
may remain at the research station for the day and
complete all the 'home team' activities and/or work with
the sharks in the tanks and complete some of the alternate
research activities. The following good weather day the
entire team may spend the entire day in the field
conducting 'away team' research activities.
Each morning, we will have breakfast and prepare a packed
lunch before going over the general schedule for the day to
outline what you should bring into the field. Depending on
team sizes, we may split the team into two teams. In this
case, there will be a home team and an away team. In the
morning, we will head out into the field to either deploy
ITINERARY
DAY 1: ARRIVAL
□ 12 noon - Lunch in the field
□ 1:00 p.m. - 'Home and away' teams swap roles
□ Arrive at the rendezvous airport and meet project driver
□ Travel 1.5 hours to accommodations in Hermanus.
□ 5:00 p.m. - Finish field work and return to accommodation
□ Unpack and settle before having a group lunch
□ 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Dinner
□ 7:00 p.m. onward - Optional free time or activity.
We will organize films, documentaries for viewing or
an evening lecture on our research if desired.
□ Welcome and orientation talk with project staff
□ Project briefing and training
□ Overview of safety
DAY 2–6: TRAINING AND RESEARCH
DAY 7: DEPARTURE
□ 7:00 a.m. - Breakfast and morning briefing
□ Breakfast
□ Prepare packed lunches for the field
□ Closing talk
□ 8:00 a.m. – Leave for research station and/or field sites
□ Photo exchange
□ Receive field task training before commencing each task
□ Depart for airport
□ Begin field work
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ACCOMMODATIONS AND FOOD
ABOUT YOUR HOME IN THE FIELD
SLEEPING
Museum directly in front of Old Harbor, one of the study
sites, and has wonderful ocean views.
You will be staying in a rented vacation house that
overlooks the water, nearby to the research station. Rooms
will be shared and single gender. There will be a communal
kitchen, communal bathroom and shared dining and living
room space. There is a small yard with a grill and some
shade where teams can relax after a long day in the field.
DISTANCE TO THE FIELD SITE
All research is conducted in Hermanus. Research will
take place at 1) SASC research lab 2) Old Harbour or
New Harbour in Walker Bay 3) Local beaches - Grotto
Beach, Onrus beach, Die Gang
BATHROOMS
All study sites are within a 15 minute drive from
accommodation and/or the field station.
All lodging facilities are modern and have hot water
showers and conventional toilets.
FOOD AND WATER
ELECTRICITY
Everyone will take turns to help prepare and clean up
from meals. Breakfasts will be continental in style, and
lunches will be prepared in the morning and packed for
the field. Dinners will be prepared in the kitchen at the
accommodations and volunteers will help with preparation
and clean-up. Water is fine to drink from the tap.
You are welcome to bring electrical equipment. All lodging
facilities have electrical outlets. Bring an adapter for
South African plugs. ESKOM, the local governmental energy
provider, sometimes schedules full power outages to reduce
load on the national energy system. These power outages
are called “load shedding” and usually last about 2 hours,
and can happen at random.
TYPICAL MEALS
COMMUNICATIONS
Depending on your mobile phone carrier, cell service can
be found near the accommodations. You can purchase a
South African local ‘pay as you go’ or pre-paid cell phone
SIM cards and Internet ‘dongles’ on arrival in Cape Town
at the airport and at some outlets in Hermanus.
Please note that personal communication with outsiders is
not always possible while participating in an expedition.
Earthwatch encourages volunteers to minimize outgoing calls
and immerse themselves in the experience. Likewise, family
and friends should restrict calls to urgent messages only.
There is wi-fi at the South African Shark Conservancy office
that will be available for volunteers. The signal can be
intermittent, but is generally available.
BREAKFAST
Breakfast cereals, toast, fruit, yogurt and a
selection of spreads, coffee, tea, juice. A hot
breakfast will be offered when available.
LUNCH
Sandwiches with cold meats, salad, cheese
and condiment options fruit, crackers
DINNER
A selection of Southern African and Western
meals including Lasagna, chicken, pasta,
stir-fry’s, hamburgers, curry, Sheppard’s pie,
chicken wraps etc. with sides of vegetables,
salads, rice. We will have traditional South
African Braai (barbeque) one of the evenings.
SNACKS
Fruit, chips, pretzels, granola bars, etc.
BEVERAGES
Water, fruit juice, coffee, tea, hot chocolate
SPECIAL DIETARY REQUIREMENTS
Please alert Earthwatch to any special dietary requirements
(e.g., diabetes, lactose intolerance, nut or other food
allergies, vegetarian or vegan diets) as soon as possible, and
note them in the space provided on your volunteer forms.
FACILITIES AND AMENITIES
The South African Shark Conservancy (SASC) office will be
the main site for all group activities including training,
presentations, and some research tasks. There is an office,
education room and a lab room. The lab has interpretive
displays and two shark tanks that support the research and
education activities and a touch tank with local marine
species. The bathroom is in a separate building on the
premises The SASC office is located in the Old Harbour
This project can cater for vegetarian, vegan, and
lactose-free diets.
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TRAVEL TIPS
SUGGESTIONS FOR THE ROAD
YOUR DESTINATION
PASSPORTS AND VISAS
LANGUAGE: English, Afrikaans, and various local tribal and
regional languages. All project activities and instruction
will be conducted in English.
Passport and visa requirements are subject to change.
Check with your travel advisor, embassy or consulate in
your home country for requirements specific to your
circumstances. Generally, passports must be valid for at
least six months from the date of entry and a return ticket
is required.
TIME ZONE: GMT +2 hours
CULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS: Casual, modest dress is
acceptable nearly everywhere. Tipping restaurant wait
staff, airport curbside baggage handlers, and hotel bellhops
is customary. We recommend tipping 10-20% of your bill
at restaurants.
ELECTRICITY: 220/230 volts AC, 50 Hz. Most plugs are
Type M (three round pins—see image) but some plugs
with two smaller pins are also found on appliances.
U.S.-made appliances may need an adapter.
Citizenship
Passport Required?
Visa Required?
United States
Yes
No
United Kingdom
Yes
No
Europe
Yes
No
Australia
Yes
No
Japan
Yes
No
If a visa is required, participants should apply for a TOURIST
visa. Please note that obtaining a visa can take weeks or
even months. We strongly recommend using a visa agency,
which can both expedite and simplify the process.
MONEY MATTERS
LOCAL CURRENCY: South African Rand (ZAR; symbol R) =
100 cents. Notes are in denominations of R200, 100, 50, 20,
and 10. Coins are in denominations of R5, 2, and 1, and 50,
20, 10 and 5 cents.
PERSONAL FUNDS: $200 should suffice if you’d like to
purchase additional food, supplies or souvenirs. You can
walk to an ATM or the bank from the project site to access
additional funds. Major credit cards are accepted in both
Cape Town and Hermanus in many restaurants and shops.
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PROJECT CONDITIONS
THE FIELD ENVIRONMENT
GENERAL CONDITIONS
ESSENTIAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Summer conditions can be hot with a high UV factor.
Temperatures are much cooler in winter and rainfall can
be variable. There can be periods of heavy rain and wind
during the winter months. Although moderate fitness and
balance are desirable, we strive to make the project as
accessible as possible. You will get wet on this expedition
but that is part of the fun!
All participants must be able to:
□ Follow verbal and/or visual instructions independently
or with the assistance of a companion.
□ Enjoy being outdoors most of the day in variable
weather, in the potential presence of wild
marine animals.
□ Wear all protective equipment recommended or
required by industry standards and/or project staff.
GENERAL CONDITIONS
□ Traverse on a rocky shore, rock paths that can
sometimes be steep, and sandy beaches.
HUMIDITY:
June: 80%
Feb: 73%
□ Carry a small day pack with your personal items,
lunch and some field gear that may be up to
10 pounds/4.5 kilos
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
June: 48º F–66º F (9º C–19º C)
Feb: 66º F–77º F (19º C–27º C)
□ Swim competently and be comfortable in wavy
conditions if you plan to swim or snorkel.
RAINFALL:
June: 2.7 in (66 mm)
Feb: >1 in (9 mm)
GENERAL CONDITIONS
TYPICAL WATER TEMPERATURE DURING PROJECT:
54º F/12º C
TYPICAL WATER VISIBILITY:
3 ft/1 m TO 12 ft/4 m
TYPICAL MAXIMUM WATER DEPTH (BOTTOM DEPTH) IN AREA:
1.5 ft/0.5 m to 20 ft/18 m
13
POTENTIAL HAZARDS
DISCOVERING SHARKS IN SOUTH AFRICA
HAZARD TYPE
ASSOCIATED RISKS AND PRECAUTIONS
Transportation
Teams will travel on public, paved roads in good condition, but risks inherent in road travel still apply.
All volunteers will have a seatbelt and must use it whenever the vehicle is in motion. Only qualified field
staff will operate vehicles.
Shark handling
Volunteers will be briefed on shark handling and procedures and the start of each team to minimise
injury to volunteers and sharks. All project staff have extensive shark handling experience from several
years up to a decade. Project staff will remove hooks from sharks mouths and conduct all the research
and shark handling from the pectoral fins to the mouth.
Personal Security
Hermanus is a generally safe region for travelers; however, do not leave valuables unattended in public
areas, and do not walk alone or at night. Use taxis services at night to get around. Volunteers will be
briefed on arrival about safety precautions and no-go zones.
Swimming
Swimming and snorkeling may be optional activities on your team. The area is directly in front of the
SASC office. Weather and sea conditions will be assessed by project staff before allowing any person to
enter the water. There is no lifeguard on duty.
Sun exposure
and heat
All volunteers will be briefed on sun safety. It will mandatory to bring hats, sunglasses and T-shirts and
footwear for all outdoor fieldwork. Length of field trips may be adjusted according to temperature and
sunlight exposure. Volunteers will be reminded to drink sufficient water.
Animals and insects
Sharks, jellyfish, sea urchins, and stingrays are all risks present when swimming, snorkeling, or wading
in the area. Volunteers will be trained to identify dangerous marine species and to avoid them. Protect
your feet by wearing shoes or booties, and by watching where you step. Mosquitos can be present at
night, during February teams.
Disease
Volunteers should consult their travel doctor prior to travelling and ensure immunizations are up to date
(tetanus etc). Malaria is present in South Africa, however it is restricted to a small area near the border
of Mozambique and it is not near to the research area, therefore malaria medication is unnecessary
unless volunteers plan to travel to other areas. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for
travelers travelling to and from infected countries but yellow fever is not present in South Africa.
Routine vaccinations (e.g. Hep A, B, should be up to date). South Africa has one of the highest rates
of HIV/AIDs in the world, so volunteers should be wary of blood or bodily fluid contact. Tap water is
considered potable in Hermanus, Cape Town and major cities but bottled water should be drunk when
travelling to remote areas.
14
SAFETY
HEALTH INFORMATION
PROJECT VACCINATIONS
REQUIRED: If traveling from countries or regions where
yellow fever is endemic, you must have a certificate of
vaccination. You may need to present this certificate
when you arrive in country.
RECOMMENDED FOR HEALTH REASONS: Typhoid,
Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B
EMERGENCIES IN THE FIELD
Accommodations and vehicles all have first aid kits. In the
event of a medical emergency, the Earthwatch scientists
will administer first aid, and depending on the seriousness
of the injury or condition, either take the volunteer to the
hospital using one of the project vehicles (always available)
or call emergency services by cellphone. While in the field,
the scientists will carry portable two-way radios and each
will carry a cell phone for emergency communication. If a
volunteer has to leave the expedition early for emergency
reasons, the Earthwatch scientists will determine the most
appropriate form of transport to the airport (either one of
the project vehicles or ambulance).
For emergency assistance in the field, please contact
Earthwatch’s 24-hour emergency hotline number on the last
page of this briefing. Earthwatch is available to assist you
24 hours a day, 7 days a week; someone is always on call
to respond to messages that come into our live answering
service.
IMMUNIZATIONS
Please be sure your routine immunizations are up-to-date
(for example diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, measles,
mumps, rubella and varicella). Medical decisions are the
responsibility of each volunteer and his or her doctor, and
the following are recommendations only. Visit the Healix
Travel Oracle website through the “Travel Assistance and
Advice” page in your Earthwatch portal, cdc.gov or who.int
for guidance on immunizations.
15
PROJECT STAFF
YOUR RESOURCES IN THE FIELD
EARTHWATCH SCIENTIST Katie Gledhill is a Research Scientist and the Shark Research Program
Manager at South African Shark Conservancy (SASC). Katie received her B.S. in Coastal and Marine
Ecosystems from the University of Technology in Sydney Australia. She has been working on shark
research and conservation projects around the world for the past decade. Australian born, she has been
blessed enough to work with sharks and other marine animals and communities in amazing locations
such as the Bahamas, US, Philippines, Mexico and South Africa. She has worked with some amazing and
threatened species, such as giant tiger sharks from 800ft on bottom of the Gulf Stream, pregnant lemon
sharks moments before they gave birth, critically endangered smalltooth sawfish, and her new personal
favorite: the endemic catsharks found in South Africa. Before working with SASC, Kat was the Manager
and Assistant Manager at the world famous Bimini Biological Field Station (Sharklab) in Bimini, Bahamas
for four years. Other than sharks, Kat's greatest love is science and strongly believes in science based
conservation and management for sharks and rays.
EARTHWATCH SCIENTIST Meaghen McCord is the founder and director of the South African Shark
Conservancy (SASC). Meaghen founded SASC in 2007 after identifying a need for research and
management of commercially exploited shark species in South Africa. She has an MSc in Fisheries
Science from Rhode University in Grahamstown, South Africa and her BSc. in Marine Biology from
Dalhousie University, Canada. Meaghen has an extensive background in shark research within South
African Africa (South Africa and Tanzania) and in her home country of Canada. Her greatest moment in
the field was leading the expedition that lead to the scientific discovery of bull sharks in the Breede
River, South Africa. This discovery helped rewrite existing literature on the species, describing a new
maximum size (four meters total length) and previously undescribed habitat. Since this discovery, she
has conducted four years of research on bull sharks in the river, including groundbreaking large-scale
movement studies using satellite telemetry. Meaghan McCord is a current member of the Sub-equatorial
African region International Union Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Shark Specialist Group.
EARTHWATCH SCIENTIST Tamzyn Zweig serves as the principal investigator for the South African
Shark Conservancy’s Recreational Fisheries research project (RecFish SA) and also helps manage
SASC's operations. As part of SASC's RecFishSA, Tamzyn has conducted fisher training workshops around
Southern Africa and has tagged over 1000 sharks and rays at fishing competitions. Tamzyn has a National
diploma in Fisheries Resources Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa, in Fisheries
Resource Management.
NOTE: All Principle Investigators will be present for all the Eathwatch teams, although their roles and
participation may vary between teams.
16
RECOMMENDED READING
YOUR RESOURCES AT HOME
ARTICLES
PROJECT-RELATED WEBSITE
• South African Shark Conservancy:
www.sharkconservancy.org
• De Vos, Optimal BRUVs (Baited Remote Underwater
Video System) survey design for reef fish monitoring
for reef fish monitroing in the Stilbaai Marine Protected
Area. African Journal of Marine Science
SOUTH AFRICAN SHARK CONSERVANCY
SOCIAL MEDIA
BOOKS
•
•
•
•
• Griffiths, C. L., Branch G. M., Branch M. L., - Two
Oceans: A guide to the marine life of southern Africa
• David A. Ebert, Sarah Fowler and Leonard Compagno Sharks of the World – A fully illustrated guide OR David
A. Ebert and Sarah Fowler - An Illustrated Pocket Guide
to the Sharks of the World
FACEBOOK GROUP: South African Shark Conservancy
FACEBOOK PAGE: South African Shark Conservancy
YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/user/SharkConservancy
TWITTER: twitter.com/@SASC3
EARTHWATCH SOCIAL MEDIA
Get to know Earthwatch better at:
• FACEBOOK: facebook.com/Earthwatch
• YOUTUBE: youtube.com/earthwatchinstitute
• TWITTER: twitter.com/earthwatch_org
17
LITERATURE CITED
• Bond ME, Babcock EA, Pikitch EK, Abercrombie DL, Lamb NF and Chapman DD. 2012. Reef sharks exhibit site-fidelity and
higher relative abundance in Marine Reserves on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. PLoS ONE 7, e32983.
• Brooks, E.J., Sloman, K.A., Sims, D.W. (2011) Validating the use of baited remote underwater video surveys for assessing
the diversity, distribution and abundance of sharks in the Bahamas. Endangered Species Research
• Clarke SC, McAllister MK, Milner-Gulland EJ, Kirkwood GP, Michielsens CGJ, Agnew DJ, Pikitch EK, Nakano H, Shivji MS.
2006. Global estimates of shark catches using trade records from commercial markets. Ecology Letters 9: 1115-1126.
• Compagno, L J V. (1999) An overview of chondrichthyan systematics and biodiversity in southern Africa. Transactions of
the Royal Society of South Africa, 54(1), 75-120.
• Compagno, L.J.V. (2000) Sharks of the World. An Annotated and Illustrated Catalogue of Shark Species Known to Date.
Volume 2. Bullhead, Mackerel and Carpet sharks (Heterodontiformes, Lamniformes and Orectolobiformes). FAO Species
Catalogue for Fishery Purposes. No. 1, Vol. 2., Rome, 269pp.
• Dulvy, Nicholas K , Sarah L Fowler, John A Musick, Rachel D Cavanagh, Peter M Kyne, Lucy R Harrison, John K Carlson,
Lindsay NK Davidson, Sonja V Fordham, Malcolm P Francis, Caroline M Pollock, Colin A Simpfendorfer, George H Burgess,
Kent E Carpenter, Leonard JV Compagno, David A Ebert, Claudine Gibson, Michelle R Heupel, Suzanne R Livingstone,
Jonnell C Sanciangco, John D Stevens, Sarah Valenti, William T White (2014) Extinction risk and conservation of the world’s
sharks and rays eLife 2014;3:e0059 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.00590
• Ferretti, F., Worm, B., Britten, G. L., Heithaus, M. R. and Lotze, H. K. (2010), Patterns and ecosystem consequences of
shark declines in the ocean. Ecology Letters, 13: 1055–1071. doi: 10.1111/j.1461-0248.2010.01489.
• Malcolm HA, Gladstone W, Lindfield S, Wraith J, Lynch TP (2007) Spatial and temporal variation in reef fish assemblages of
marine parks in New South Wales, Australia— baited video observations. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 350:277–290
• Meekan M, Cappo M (2004) Non-destructive techniques for the rapid assessment of shark abundance in Northern Australia.
Report prepared for the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry. Australian Institute of Marine Science,
Townsville
• Meekan M, Cappo M, Carleton J, Marriott R (2006) Surveys of sharks and fin-fish abundance on reefs within the MOU74 Box
and Rowley Shoals using baited remote underwater video systems. Report prepared for the Department of the Environment
and Heritage. Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville
• Worm, B. Davis, B, Kettemer, Ward-Paige, C.A., Chapman, D., Heithaus, M., Kessel, S. and Gruber,S (2013) Global
catches, exploitation rates, and rebuilding options for sharks Marine Policy 40:194–204
18
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
AROUND-THE-CLOCK SUPPORT
EARTHWATCH’S 24-HOUR EMERGENCY HOTLINE
Call Earthwatch’s 24-hour on-call duty officer in the U.S.:
+1 (978) 461.0081
+1 (800) 776.0188 (toll-free for calls placed from within the U.S.)
After business hours, leave a message with our living answering service. State that you have
an emergency and give the name of your expedition, your name, the location from which you
are calling, and if possible, a phone number where you can be reached. An Earthwatch staff
member will respond to your call within one hour.
TRAVEL ASSISTANCE PROVIDER: HEALIX INTERNATIONAL
+44.20.3667.8991 (collect calls and reverse charges accepted)
U.S. TOLL FREE: +1.877.759.3917
U.K. FREE PHONE: 0.800.19.5180
E-MAIL: earthwatch@healix.com
You may contact Healix International at any time. They can assist in the event of a medical
or evacuation emergency or for routine medical and travel advice, such as advice on visas
and vaccine requirements.
FOR VOLUNTEERS BOOKED THROUGH THE EARTHWATCH AUSTRALIA OFFICE:
Earthwatch Australia 24-Hour Emergency Helpline
+61.0.3.8508.5537
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21
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