Meet the Sharks: Mossel Bay | Oceans Aware Educational Project

Project Includes

Students visiting Mossel Bay’s marine environment have the opportunity to learn first hand about shark biology and conservation through direct interactions with species in The Shark Lab (Oceans’ fully accredited PAAZAB aquarium and education centre) and at sea.  The first portion of the project “Learn about Sharks” provides students with a basic understanding of shark biology and behaviour through:

• Fascinating shark biology and conservation lectures delivered by Oceans Aware educators
• A shark anatomical dissection conducted by an Oceans Aware educator (the sharks utilised for educational dissections are obtained from the dead by-catch of commercial fishing vessels. We do not support fishing activities which target shark and ray species).
• Exciting behind the scenes guided tours of The Shark Lab, which serves as an excellent portal into South Africa’s marine ecosystem
• Fun and safe hands-on encounters with marine species in a touch tank
• Viewing of a research documentary featuring Oceans Research’s scientists
• Each student will receive a cool shark poster to reinforce the experience and valuable concepts they learned during their participation in the program. 

Student will learn more about the sharks in our local waters through direct interactions with species in The Shark Lab (Oceans’ fully accredited PAAZAB aquarium and education centre). Once the students have gained a basic understanding about South Africa’s diverse marine environment they will receive the opportunity to go out to Seal Island on the boat.

Once the students have gained a basic understanding about Southern Africa’s diverse marine environment, they are escorted by an Oceans Research Scientist on an observation vessel out to sea.  This exciting encounter allows students, many for the first time in their life to actually got to sea and have the opportunity to observe Mossel Bay’s astonishing marine fauna, including: cape fur seals, marine birds, dolphins, whales, and even the awe inspiring great white shark (“Meet the Sharks”).

By providing students with a unique and possibly once in a lifetime opportunity to observe marine species in their natural habitat, students will gain an appreciation and respect for this delicate environment. This intimate portion of the program also gives students the opportunity to interact with a shark researcher and learn about different careers in marine science as well as the importance of continuing their education.   For many students, this is their first opportunity to meet a marine researcher and thus this serves as valuable tool to build the foundation for marine education.

Oceans Aware feels that it is necessary to continue to encourage student’s interest in the marine environment long after participation in “Meet the Sharks.”  To foster the learning process, we provide interesting education materials and activity books to students and resources for teachers with suggestions for lesson plans and activities.  Our marine educators are also available to conduct specialized lectures or question and answer sessions to schools over Skype, a free Internet-based communications service.

The more youth we can reach with the “Meet the Sharks” program, the better opportunity we will have to make positive changes in the way South Africans view the marine environment and the species that reside in these waters.

Contact us for more information

For more information about our Meet the Sharks project, please don't hesitate to get in contact via the following enquiry form.