Sharklife

About us

Founded in 2005 and as a registered non-profit organisation, Sharklife addresses the alarming exploitation of both shark populations and ocean fisheries in South African waters. We actively engage the urgent need for research and protection of many marine species.

Sharklife Objective:
Through scientific research, education and awareness bring about positive change in the current destructive trends of ocean exploitation.

Sharklife Current Aims:
• To develop a compassionate desire to conserve sharks by altering public misconceptions about sharks and replacing the "Jaws" syndrome with positive understanding and respect.
• Reduce anthropogenic threats to over exploited marine species by increasing awareness and encouraging sustainable seafood choices.
• Increase marine tourism and transform shark populations into a sustainable living resource by developing educational ocean experiences for all South African´s

Project Areas
• Legal Projects: Legislation is often the only means by which to effectively manage the impacts on marine resources. Sharklife works in collaboration with scientists, government officials and other NGO´s to implement more effective marine policy and legislation
• Education Projects: By educating the youth of today about current marine issues they are better equipped to make choices to resolve such issues for the future. Sharklife supports and develops education projects for this purpose.
• Awareness Projects: Many of the threats facing the oceans can be reduced by making people aware of the various problems and solutions surrounding ocean conservation. Sharklife initiates and drives awareness programs to raise the level of marine conservation awareness.
• Research Projects: A fundamental shortfall hindering ocean conservation efforts is the lack of basic information regarding the status of many marine environments. Sharklife endeavours to identify and initiate key research projects that will support conservation management strategies.

Grant Smith is the Managing Director of Sharklife.

For other net participants we can offer an expert guidance through trained staff, give an expert opinion, procure expert information and establish new contacts in the field of our work.