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MEDIA OUTREACH

The Shark Research Unit’s team understands the importance that media outreach and engagement plays in creating awareness and generating the passion of the broader public towards sharks. In this respect, we readily provide services to production crews, environmental journalists and photographers. 

experts

The Shark Research Unit boasts South Africa’s most recognised and entertaining shark experts and hosts for documentaries. In addition to onscreen services, our team is ready to review scripts, develop ideas, and provide expert viability assessments. 

Onscreen experts

Interviews

Script reviews

Development Research

logistics

The Shark Research Unit offers logistical support to documentary filmmakers, photographers and journalists working on shark and marine projects.

Vessels

SCUBA Equipment

Location Scouting

Research Equipment

Production Equipment

services

In addition to providing many expert services for media companies, we are networkers! If you are looking for local crew and expertise to help realise your project, then reach out, and we will assist in connecting you with the best South Africa has to offer. 

Expert Guides

Safety Divers

Local Fixing

Underwater Camera

PAST PROJECTS

The Shark Research Unit’s team has contributed to over 50 local and international documentaries and provided outreach expertise to numerous magazines, news outlets and independent media providers.

CAMO SHARKS

National Geographic - Disney+

Can sharks change color at will to enhance their predatory abilities? Through groundbreaking experiments, revered shark biologists answer this evolutionary question. Shark scientists Ryan Johnson and PhD Candidate Gibbs Kuguru hope to capture real-time pigmentation changes to understand how these apex ocean predators manipulate their skin’s dermal cells to activate camouflage.

SHARK vs WHALE

National Geographic Channel

A routine drone survey turns deadly when the Shark Research Unit’s Ryan Johnson, films a humpback whale being attacked and strategically drowned by a great white shark. This behaviour represents a total perspective shift on a creature Ryan has spent his life studying. He takes a new look at great white sharks. How do they become whale killers?

SHARK WRANGLERS

History Channel

SRU Scientist, Ryan Johnson, led the 2012 OCEARCH expedition as chief scientist. The expedition brought together groundbreaking shark research and reality TV during a 10 episode series for the History Channel

SHARK ATTACK FILES

National Geographic Channel

This thrilling series will be the best of every shark story you’ve ever experienced. From terrifying encounters and incredible feats to gang warfare and alien invasions, each episode is a wall-to-wall shark invasion. Footage from actual attacks, shark interactions or bizarre behavior (both professional and user-generated) kicks off each mystery. Our investigation then takes us to new attacks, new footage, and the deeper we dig, the more we uncover. By the end, what started as one mystery becomes multiple events that lead to a single stunning revelation.

Sharkville

National Geographic Wild

Squid vs. Whale

National Geographic Wild

Shark Tribe

Discovery Channel

Shark Pits

National Geographic Wild

  • Shark vs. Surfer – National Geographic

  • Katie Price – My Crazy Life – Discovery Channel
  • South Africa Sardine Migration – China central TV
  • Sharks have no sense of privacy – Morgan Post
  • Afrique du Sud: protectrices de requins –  French TV
  • Gangster pack is back, but where are boys? IOL
  • Celebration time as Durban Harley Owners Commit to support Local Shark Scientist- Bugle Press
  • Ella & The Secret of Shark Rock – Aquavision
  • Sardine Run  Japan Geographic

  • Red Bull Profile – Ryan Johnson – Red Bull TV

  • Wild South Africa – National Geographic Wild
  • Shark Attack Experiment – National Geographic Wild
  • Dangerous Encounters with Brady Barr – National Geographic
  • Dirty Jobs – Jobs that bite – Discovery Channel
  • Shark vs. Croc – Animal Planet
  • Hammertime – 50/50
  • Bitonga Divers – Peoples Weather
  • Escaping the Great White – National Geographic
  • Of Sharks and Man

ABOUT US

The Shark Research Unit is a shark and marine research and conservation institute driven by a passionate team of shark experts. We are located in South Africa and work in two regions of priority – Aliwal Shoal and Mossel Bay. 

Our core purpose is to conduct and support original shark research, conservation and education programs through strategic partnerships with marine scientists, postgraduate students, ecotourism operators and academic institutes. 

Our focus extends to nurturing a new generation (of all ages) of shark scientists, professionals and enthusiasts. We achieve this through our great white shark research internship, learner outreach programs and expert guided shark edu-tours  

CONNECT

MOSSEL BAY CENTER

  • 182 Aalwyn Way
  • Aalwyndal
  • Mossel Bay 6520
  • South Africa

ALIWAL SHOAL CENTRE

  • 34 Egerton Rd
  • Freeland Park
  • Schottburgh 4180
  • South Africa

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