RESEARCH PROJECTS
RESEARCH PROJECTS
PLATFORM – GREAT WHITE SHARK CHUMMING VESSEL
Project 1 – Population dynamics
Poplation dynamics to be studied via (a) photographic identification of dorsal fin, (b) underwater video analysis of pigmentation patterns. In addtion gender patterns to be revealed from UW video footage and size estimates to be made via ‘eye in the sky’ photographs against known lengths (colour board). In addtion, sighting rate to be determined by sharks per unit effort, and environmental conditions recorded to determine sighting rate as a function of different catogorical environmental variables.
Project 2 – Colour change
The monitoring of a white sharks colour consists of collecting (eye in the sky) photos or video as a shark passes alongside a colour board. The photographic is then corrected (in post production) to reveal the true colour of the shark. We are monitoring colour change of a shark over the period of a visit and also between days.
Project 3 – Injury assessment
Many great white sharks sustain injuries from other sharks and humans. This project aims to monitor the percentage of sharks with human induced injuries, the nature of the injurise, monitor the recovery of injuries, and invesitage these injuries and impacts as a function of shark size and shark gender.
Project 4 – Acoustic Monitoring
Many South African sharks are fitted with continious or RCODE acoustic tags. Daily the tream will place the VR100 with the omnidirectional acoustic transmitter into the water and record the pressence of shark tags. In conjunction we will record the visual sightings of the sharks. This is aimed at determining the liklihood of a shark in the area coming to the boat. Secondly, if this sighting probability is linked to environmental ocnditions, bait aquisition, or general experience at the boat.
Project 5 – Environmental records
Daily the team will record basic (but solid) environmental conditions. This will be used as baseline data for invesitgating sighting rates, activity patterns, behaviour or sharks. Essentially, how do varying environmental conditions affect pressence of sharks in the bay. Measurments of interest include – (a) wind speed, (b) water visibility, (c) cloud cover, (d) water temperture, (e) baramotrec pressure, (f) swell height.
Project 6 – Genetic Sampling
This is currently in develoipment and cannot sample until a research permit is in place.
Trips per month – 8 trips are paid for by program with White Shark Africa. Each trip half a day
Roles:
Instructor – To oversee students data collection and to step in on roles if insifficient students are in place.
Student 1 – Dorsal fin photographic Identification
Student 2 – Underwater pole camera
Student 3 – Eye in the sky photographer
Student 4 – Data collectior
Student 5 – Dedicated educator
Student 6 – VR100 monitor / environmental records recorder.
PLATFORM – GREAT WHITE SHARK BREACHING TRIP
Project 1 – Environmental conditions & breaching
Measure various environmental conditions and relate them to the occurance of predatory attacks. Are great more likly to instigate an attack based on certain environmental conditions. Specifically looking at (a) water visibility, (b) light level, (c) cloud cover, and (d) water tempetature.
Project 2 – Spatial attack pattern
Record and download track of towed decoy to create a frequency type graph. Then record location of attempted and carried out attacks. Use the track and the attack locations to map a weighted frequency of attack behaviours
Project 3 – Choice test
Many sharks abort an attack at the last minute. We can see this with underwater cameras and above water cameras. Aim of this is to tow two decoys and see if sharks are aborting on one decoy or selecting one decoy. Initial choice test will be between normal seal decoy and a decoy using ‘sharkbandz’. Can bands abort a high speed attack.
Trips: 2 trips per month during breaching season
Roles:
Instructor – To oversee students data collection and to step in on roles if insifficient students are in place.
Student 1 – Video camera operator (half trip)
Student 2 – Video camea operator (half trip)
Student 3 – Decoy Manager (LHS)
Student 4 – Decoy Manager (RHS)
Student 5 – Personal management
Student 6 – Personal photography / videography
PLATFORM – DOLICER REEFS ON SNORKEL
Project 1 – temporal activity of cat sharks
6 x 1hour deployments of Vertical bruvs at Dolicer to determine the temporal activity patterns of different species of cage shark including the puffadder, pyjama and leopard cat sharks. Depoly 2 x BRUV’s for 1 hour at (6am, 10am, 2pm, 6pm, 10pm, 2am). Download footage and record occurrance of the different shark species
Project 2 – Population assessment of catsharks
Using the vertical BRUV setup, collect identification information on the stripe and marksings of different sharks and build an identification database. Use this to conduct mark recpature and asses the amount of immigration in and out of the reef and thus apply models and determine local population abundance.
Trips: 2 Trips per month during – looking for non-surgy or rough conditions.
Roles:
Instructor – To oversee students data collection and to step in on roles if insifficient students are in place.
Student 1 – BRUV and chum handler
Student 2 – Camera operator
Student 3 – Safety diver
PLATFORM – ROBBERG RESERVE PLETT
Project 1 – spatial and temporal activity of patrolling white sharks
Project 2 – Predation success rates and dynamics
Project 3 – Seasonal abundance of white sharks at Robberg
PLATFORM – ROBBERG RESERVE PLETT
Project 1 – spatial and temporal activity of patrolling white sharks
Project 2 – Predation success rates and dynamics
Project 3 – Seasonal abundance of white sharks at Robberg
PLATFORM – LAND LOCATIONS IN MOSSEL BAY
Lookout locations – (a) Lighthouse, (b) Hartenbos, (c) Kleinbrak, (d) Tenuit, (e) Grootbrak
Project 1 – Drone survey to identify great white sharks in the coastal areas of Mossel Bay. Includes a sunbased zigzag survery for a length of 2 kilometers (1km each way from launch point).
Project 2 – Marine mammal viewing. One or two obervers use bionoculars to scan for dolphins then record data on dolphin pod. Including movement direction, pod size, behaviours etc.
Project 3 – Theodolite mapping – from lighthouse observation point, ue theodolite to collect exact positions and movement behaviur of sharks.
Student positions (NB. Position to change at each survery location)
Position 1 – Pilot – Flys the drone and observes for sharks on the survey. Needs to have instructor beside them should they be positioning the drone incorrectly or have trouble in operation. If a shark sighted, then a 10minute filmed behavioural survey of shark is carried out before resuming detection survey.
Position 2 – Pilot Assistant – Pilot assistant is to assist in battery changes, catching and launching the drone (typically this is the instructor). Also to work SD cards to ensure sufficient space for recording of surveys.
Position 3 – Visual Survey – Binocular scan for a period of 20 minutes to search for marine mammals including (a) dolphins and (b) whales in area.
Position 4 – Data recorder – Collects data from the drone pilot and visual surveyor. Particularly on time of sighting, position of the shark, and behaviour of shark. (see data sheets).
CONSERVATION PROJECTS
PLATFORM – LOCAL RESTURANTS
Project 1: Have resturants signup to be SASSI compliant.
Project 2: Have SASSI cards displayed.
Trips per month – 1 trip with addtional if weather requires.
Roles:
Instructor –
PLATFORM – GREAT WHITE SHARK CHUMMING VESSEL
Project 1 – Population dynamics
Poplation dynamics to be studied via (a) photographic identification of dorsal fin, (b) underwater video analysis of pigmentation patterns. In addtion gender patterns to be revealed from UW video footage and size estimates to be made via ‘eye in the sky’ photographs against known lengths (colour board). In addtion, sighting rate to be determined by sharks per unit effort, and environmental conditions recorded to determine sighting rate as a function of different catogorical environmental variables.
Project 2 – Colour change
The monitoring of a white sharks colour consists of collecting (eye in the sky) photos or video as a shark passes alongside a colour board. The photographic is then corrected (in post production) to reveal the true colour of the shark. We are monitoring colour change of a shark over the period of a visit and also between days.
Project 3 – Injury assessment
Many great white sharks sustain injuries from other sharks and humans. This project aims to monitor the percentage of sharks with human induced injuries, the nature of the injurise, monitor the recovery of injuries, and invesitage these injuries and impacts as a function of shark size and shark gender.
Project 4 – Genetic Sampling
This is currently in develoipment and cannot sample until a research permit is in place.
Trips per month – 8 trips are paid for by program with White Shark Africa. Each trip half a day
Roles:
Instructor – To oversee students data collection and to step in on roles if insifficient students are in place.
Student 1 – Dorsal fin photographic Identification
Student 2 – Underwater pole camera
Student 3 – Eye in the sky photographer
Student 4 – Data collection
Student 5 – Dedicated educator
Student 6 – Personal cage diving experience
PLATFORM – GREAT WHITE SHARK BREACHING TRIP
Project 1 – Environmental conditions & breaching
Poplation dynamics to be studied via (a) photographic identification of dorsal fin, (b) underwater video analysis of pigmentation patterns. In addtion gender patterns to be revealed from UW video footage and size estimates to be made via ‘eye in the sky’ photographs against known lengths (colour board). In addtion, sighting rate to be determined by sharks per unit effort, and environmental conditions recorded to determine sighting rate as a function of different catogorical environmental variables.
Project 2 – Spatial attack pattern
Record and download track of towed decoy to create a frequency type graph. Then record location of attempted and carried out attacks. Use the track and the attack locations to map a weighted frequency of attack behaviours
Project 3 – Choice test
Many sharks abort an attack at the last minute. We can see this with underwater cameras and above water cameras. Aim of this is to tow two decoys and see if sharks are aborting on one decoy or selecting one decoy. Initial choice test will be between normal seal decoy and a decoy using ‘sharkbandz’. Can bands abort a high speed attack.
Trips: 4 Trips per month during breaching season
Roles:
Instructor – To oversee students data collection and to step in on roles if insifficient students are in place.
Student 1 – Video camera operator (half trip)
Student 2 – Video camea operator (half trip)
Student 3 – Decoy Manager (LHS)
Student 4 – Decoy Manager (RHS)
Student 5 – Personal management
Student 6 – Personal photography / videography
PLATFORM – DOLICER REEFS ON SNORKEL
Project 1 – temporal activity of cat sharks
6 x 1hour deployments of Vertical bruvs at Dolicer to determine the temporal activity patterns of different species of cage shark including the puffadder, pyjama and leopard cat sharks. Depoly 2 x BRUV’s for 1 hour at (6am, 10am, 2pm, 6pm, 10pm, 2am). Download footage and record occurrance of the different shark species
Project 2 – Population assessment of catsharks
Using the vertical BRUV setup, collect identification information on the stripe and marksings of different sharks and build an identification database. Use this to conduct mark recpature and asses the amount of immigration in and out of the reef and thus apply models and determine local population abundance.
Trips: 2 Trips per month during – looking for non-surgy or rough conditions.
Roles:
Instructor – To oversee students data collection and to step in on roles if insifficient students are in place.
Student 1 – BRUV and chum handler
Student 2 – Camera operator
Student 3 – Safety diver
PLATFORM – ROBBERG RESERVE PLETT
Project 1 – spatial and temporal activity of patrolling white sharks
Project 2 – Predation success rates and dynamics
Project 3 – Seasonal abundance of white sharks at Robberg
INTERNSHIP SCHEDULE
1st – Arrival Day
Students to arrive throughout day. Role of instructor and field specialists to drive and pickup students, as well as, help welcome them, orientate them informally, and also to take them to the mall if they would like to get certain items to make their stay more comfortable.
2nd – Orientation Day
AM: Campus general orientation talk and signature of waiver forms. Also explanation of how the living arrangements work and the various other products that AM and SRU can offer.
PM: Program species orientation, with talk on how the program will work, what the goals of the program are, and how the students will contribute to the program, what we hope to offer the students in the program. Walk around to the grear room , computer room, and a drive around to the harbour, seal island, different lookout points, visit the boats etc.
3rd – White Shark Chumming / SAPREC
AM: Morning white shark chumming trip with all population, photographic and video idenfication data collected. Further more to ocnduct colour change experimentation. Post trip downloading and entering of data.
PM: Visit to SAPREC to conduct feeding and cleaning of birds.
4th – White Shark Chumming / Shark Data
AM: Morning white shark chumming trip with all population, photographic and video idenfication data collected. Further more to ocnduct colour change experimentation. Post trip downloading and entering of data.
PM: Joint effort to match sharks and ensure integrity and uploading of all white shark data to various platforms.
5th – Free diving practical
AM: Trip to Hartenbos pool to train in freediving methods after students have conducted the online freediving learning lessons. At pool to work on static and dynamic apnea sessions (Time – 8.30 – 10.30). Entry around R30 per person.
PM: Don wetsuits and head to Dolicers. Train in duckdiving and vertical diving to depth of 5m at Dolicers. Stop for chat about techniques and rest, before continuing on further.
6th – Catshark Bruv
AM: Work in shifts with team conducting 1 hour BRUVS at (a) 6AM (b) 9AM, (c) 12AM. Down team is to download footage and collect data. Instructor to review.
PM: Continue to work in shifts with 1 hour BRUV deplys at (d) 3PM, (e) 6PM and (f) 9PM and (g) 12PM, and (h) 3AM. Nigttime BRUV deploys are to use UW Lights mounted to the BRUV.
9th – Great White Shark Chumming / Beach Clean
AM: Morning white shark chumming trip with all population, photographic and video idenfication data collected. Further more to ocnduct colour change experimentation. Post trip downloading and entering of data.
PM: Afternoon beachcleanup session. Take recycled plastic bags, clean a stretch of beach, take a few social media posts and transport the rubbish to Kwa municiple dump.
10th – Great White Shark Chumming / Shark Data Entry
AM: Morning white shark chumming trip with all population, photographic and video idenfication data collected. Further more to ocnduct colour change experimentation. Post trip downloading and entering of data.
PM: Concerted effort matching all shark data and ensuring data integrity
11th – Plett (D1)
AM: 6h00 departure for Plett to signin and arrive at Robberg reserve by 8.30. Start with observation shift work with three hour observation periods conducted by pairs of observers. 09h00AM – 12h00,
PM: Vehicle checks into Air BnB, three hour observation periods continue. (12h00-15h00, 15h00-18h00). Rest team enters data and can enjoy the Plett beach.
12th – Plett (D2)
AM: Signin and arrive at Robberg reserve by 6h00. Start with observation shift work with three hour observation periods conducted by pairs of observers (06h00 – 9h00, 09h00 – 12h00).
PM: Three hour observation periods continue. (12h00-15h00, 15h00-18h00). Rest team enters data and can enjoy the Plett beach. Team checks out of Air BNB at 13h00.
13th – Catch and Release
AM: Head to harbour and go onto catch and release boat. Conduct catach and release work for 3-4 hours. Includeds tagging sharks, morphometrics, stomach lavange, genetic sampling (both fin clips and swabs).
PM: Complete ORI reports, enter data, process genetic samples for storage,
Day 16 – Great White Shark Chumming / SAPREC
AM: Morning white shark chumming trip with all population, photographic and video idenfication data collected. Further more to ocnduct colour change experimentation. Post trip downloading and entering of data.
PM: Trip to assist in rehabilitation of seabirds at SAPREC.
Day 17 – Great White Shark Chumming / Data Entry
AM: Morning white shark chumming trip with all population, photographic and video idenfication data collected. Further more to ocnduct colour change experimentation. Post trip downloading and entering of data.
PM: Conserted effort at data management, including matching sharks, ensuring videos are uploaded, photographs are on google drive.
Day 18 – Land Survey
AM: Land based survery using (a) drone, (b) binoculars to searrch for sharks and marine mammals (incl. dolphins and whales). Conduct survery’s at 5 key locations. Namely – (a) danabay – site 1, (b) danabay – site 2, (c) The point, (d) Hartenbos, (e) Kleinbrak, (f) Blue Houses, (g) Grootbrak.
Day 19 – Catch and Release
AM: Head to harbour and go onto catch and release boat. Conduct catach and release work for 3-4 hours. Includeds tagging sharks, morphometrics, stomach lavange, genetic sampling (both fin clips and swabs).
PM: Complete ORI reports, enter data, process genetic samples for storage,
Day 20 – Learner Education / Sharkology Production
AM: (Typically Friday) travel to learner education centre and conduct shark syllabus with students. These lessons may include shoreline work, classroom work in accordance to syllabus
PM: Research, write and film a Sharkology or Sharknews episode from the news desk of the Shark research unit. With green screen background.
Day 23 – Great white shark chumming / Sharkology Production
Morning white shark chumming trip with all population, photographic and video idenfication data collected. Further more to ocnduct colour change experimentation. Post trip downloading and entering of data.
Day 24 – Great White Shark Chumming / Shark Data Input
Morning white shark chumming trip with all population, photographic and video idenfication data collected. Further more to ocnduct colour change experimentation. Post trip downloading and entering of data.
Day 25 – Plett (D3)
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Day 26 – Plett (D4)
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Day 27 – Catch and Release
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Day 28 – Departure
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In cases of prolonged bad weather or other situations that make it impossible for students to go to sea or do there normal activities. The below days are land based additional projects that the students can contribute and work towards.
Alternate 1 – Sharkology Production
REsearch and film an episode of Sharkology, the Shark Research Unit scientific and conservation
Alternate 3 – eDNA Sampling
Conduct eDNA sampling of water at stratigic locations around Mossel Bay. Include Filterning, storing and labelling of samples.
Alternate Activity – BLOG Production
Research and produce shark conservation blog based on latest issues that the shark world faces.
Alternate Activity – Aquarium Building
Assist Louis in building salt water aquarium. Including design, building, preparing
Alternate Activity – SASSI Resturant visits
Visit local resturant owners and see if they are willing to place SASSI posters and hand out SASSI cards allowing consumers to make wise decisions.
DATA RESOURCES
9th – Great White Shark Chumming / Beach Clean
AM: Morning white shark chumming trip with all population, photographic and video idenfication data collected. Further more to ocnduct colour change experimentation. Post trip downloading and entering of data.
PM: Afternoon beachcleanup session. Take recycled plastic bags, clean a stretch of beach, take a few social media posts and transport the rubbish to Kwa municiple dump.
10th – Great White Shark Chumming / Shark Data Entry
AM: Morning white shark chumming trip with all population, photographic and video idenfication data collected. Further more to ocnduct colour change experimentation. Post trip downloading and entering of data.
PM: Concerted effort matching all shark data and ensuring data integrity
11th – Plett (D1)
AM: 6h00 departure for Plett to signin and arrive at Robberg reserve by 8.30. Start with observation shift work with three hour observation periods conducted by pairs of observers. 09h00AM – 12h00,
PM: Vehicle checks into Air BnB, three hour observation periods continue. (12h00-15h00, 15h00-18h00). Rest team enters data and can enjoy the Plett beach.
12th – Plett (D2)
AM: Signin and arrive at Robberg reserve by 6h00. Start with observation shift work with three hour observation periods conducted by pairs of observers (06h00 – 9h00, 09h00 – 12h00).
PM: Three hour observation periods continue. (12h00-15h00, 15h00-18h00). Rest team enters data and can enjoy the Plett beach. Team checks out of Air BNB at 13h00.
13th – Catch and Release
AM: Head to harbour and go onto catch and release boat. Conduct catach and release work for 3-4 hours. Includeds tagging sharks, morphometrics, stomach lavange, genetic sampling (both fin clips and swabs).
PM: Complete ORI reports, enter data, process genetic samples for storage,
Day 16 – Great White Shark Chumming / SAPREC
AM: Morning white shark chumming trip with all population, photographic and video idenfication data collected. Further more to ocnduct colour change experimentation. Post trip downloading and entering of data.
PM: Trip to assist in rehabilitation of seabirds at SAPREC.
Day 17 – Great White Shark Chumming / Data Entry
AM: Morning white shark chumming trip with all population, photographic and video idenfication data collected. Further more to ocnduct colour change experimentation. Post trip downloading and entering of data.
PM: Conserted effort at data management, including matching sharks, ensuring videos are uploaded, photographs are on google drive.
Day 18 – Land Survey
AM: Land based survery using (a) drone, (b) binoculars to searrch for sharks and marine mammals (incl. dolphins and whales). Conduct survery’s at 5 key locations. Namely – (a) danabay – site 1, (b) danabay – site 2, (c) The point, (d) Hartenbos, (e) Kleinbrak, (f) Blue Houses, (g) Grootbrak.
Day 19 – Catch and Release
AM: Head to harbour and go onto catch and release boat. Conduct catach and release work for 3-4 hours. Includeds tagging sharks, morphometrics, stomach lavange, genetic sampling (both fin clips and swabs).
PM: Complete ORI reports, enter data, process genetic samples for storage,
Day 20 – Learner Education / Sharkology Production
AM: (Typically Friday) travel to learner education centre and conduct shark syllabus with students. These lessons may include shoreline work, classroom work in accordance to syllabus
PM: Research, write and film a Sharkology or Sharknews episode from the news desk of the Shark research unit. With green screen background.
Day 23 – Great white shark chumming / Sharkology Production
Morning white shark chumming trip with all population, photographic and video idenfication data collected. Further more to ocnduct colour change experimentation. Post trip downloading and entering of data.
Day 24 – Great White Shark Chumming / Shark Data Input
Morning white shark chumming trip with all population, photographic and video idenfication data collected. Further more to ocnduct colour change experimentation. Post trip downloading and entering of data.
Day 25 – Plett (D3)
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Day 26 – Plett (D4)
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Day 27 – Catch and Release
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Day 28 – Departure
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In cases of prolonged bad weather or other situations that make it impossible for students to go to sea or do there normal activities. The below days are land based additional projects that the students can contribute and work towards.
Alternate 1 – Sharkology Production
REsearch and film an episode of Sharkology, the Shark Research Unit scientific and conservation
Alternate 3 – eDNA Sampling
Conduct eDNA sampling of water at stratigic locations around Mossel Bay. Include Filterning, storing and labelling of samples.
Alternate Activity – BLOG Production
Research and produce shark conservation blog based on latest issues that the shark world faces.
Alternate Activity – Aquarium Building
Assist Louis in building salt water aquarium. Including design, building, preparing
Alternate Activity – SASSI Resturant visits
Visit local resturant owners and see if they are willing to place SASSI posters and hand out SASSI cards allowing consumers to make wise decisions.
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