FALSE BAY 1 bloedskenking kan tot 3 lewens red. Vind jou naaste kliniek op www.wcbs.org.za
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ENVIRONMENT
Diving for shark data RACINE EDWARDES RACINE.EDWARDES@MEDIA24.COM @RAEEDWARDES
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unique experience and the opportunity to make a significant contribution towards shark research is all wrapped into one course offered at Cape Research and Diver Development (Radd). The marine field station and research facility located on the False Bay coast recently launched a shark course which will be held all year round “for anyone who has an interest in the marine world and the conservation efforts happening to protect our planet’s marine animals and habitats”. Mike Barron, a co-founder of the facility and course director, says False Bay’s unique ecosystem and high levels of biodiversity allow for suitable research to be done there. “Sharks are a popular area of interest and a great way to catch the imagination and interest of people’s passion for nature and adventure,” he says. “The idea is to give locals access to Cape Radd’s research projects and scientific insights, allowing guests to not only understand the species in more depth but to contribute to the research and, ultimately, the protection of these endemic shark species.” The course consists of workshops which give insight into the techniques used to measure shark populations, white shark ecology and movement modelling, endemic shark biology and ecology presentations, shark fin photo identification and dorsal pattern identification using matching software. It also includes scuba or snorkelling and beach surveys. Cape Radd’s biologists and course directors, Barron and Dylan Irion, have a wealth of research and experience totalling more than 10 years. “My area of research was white shark deterrents using visual contrasting patterns and their perceived threat to hunting white sharks. Dylan is currently working on his PhD through the University of Cape Town, investigating the movement and population estimate of the white sharks in southern Africa. We hope to offer our experience and knowledge to give a fantastic experience,” Barron explains. The data from their shark week surveys and citizen science days go into Cape Radd’s
Scuba and snorkelling excursions assist Cape Radd’s research objectives. The public can be part of this by taking part in Cape Radd’s courses. PHOTO: research project database for long-term monitoring projects. They also input the data onto platforms such as iNaturalist and Elmo – two citizen-science-based databases. “This data then offers open access for whoever wants to use this data for other projects in the future. We want to make our data useful and accessible for people to use so more people can help spread awareness and knowledge on these species,” Barron adds. The pressing question now probably is if students will be swimming with sharks during the course. And the answer is, yes! “We will be scuba diving or snorkelling
with various species of sharks. From the small harmless benthic species such as the puff-adder and pajama sharks and, if we are lucky enough to find some of the rarer species, the cow shark, short-tailed stingrays and gully sharks,” Barron says, adding that this helps with many of the smaller shark species which are data deficient (insufficient data to know enough about their population status and distribution). However, he assures participants that they do not come across white sharks at their dive spots and the sharks they do encounter are not a danger to divers.
CAPE RADD
Cape Radd is the mission Blue Hope Spot champions (“Deep South hope spots highlighted”, People’s Post, 24 September 2019) for False Bay. The facility’s biologists hope to share their extensive knowledge to ignite a passion in others to get involved in conservation and learn more. Barron adds it is only when people care and are aware of the threats to wildlife that they will be able to fully protect the oceans. “Conservation starts on our own doorstep.” V For more information, contact Cape Radd via email: info@caperadd.com.