South African White Shark Research Institute

The WSRI have adopted a strong commitment to education at all levels, which has led, in only seven years, to the establishment of one of the worlds largest and most far reaching educational and conservation programs on sharks. Block busting movies such as Jaws have created a monster in our subconscious, and even in this enlightened age, many people shudder at the thought of a shark.

This prevalent negative attitude towards sharks has produced a nonchalant and emotionless feeling to the slaughter of these beautiful dwellers of our planet. Just as the earth is our only home, it is also the only home to sharks and it is through determined education that we will make people realise this important fact.

Without positive education as an antidote to false and negative publicity, we cannot win the battle to save our very endangered sharks. We need the support of the general public if we are to achieve our goals, and this goes hand in hand with education.

The WSRI accomplish this paramount work of changing attitudes through a number of programs.

WSRI international membership and adoption program
One very successful project, is the WSRI international membership and adoption program, where we publish four news letters per year. These news letters have gone a long way in providing the public with accurate information about the Great White Shark and other shark species .
Interesting and new information to our members
We try to provide interesting and new information to our members, who in turn relate this information to their friends and family. Programs such as this can go a long way in softening peoples attitudes towards our sharks.
The WSRI unique schools educational program
The WSRI run a unique schools educational program where we invite school pupils to join the research team on field trips to come face to face with Great White Sharks. This program was well illustrated in the resent BBC documentary on the Great White Shark. These young people leave us with a totally different perspective and respect for the shark, which equips them to be shark ambassadors for the rest of their lives. We also visit as many schools as possible where we conduct informative and interesting slide and video presentations.
National and international lecture programs and tours
The WSRI conduct national and international lecture programs and tours. Included in this program are lectures given at schools, dive and fishing clubs, universities, public talks and companies. This program has so far directly involved close to half a million persons world-wide, with fantastic results.
Trade fares and expos
The WSRI erect educational displays at as many trade fares and expos as possible. Shark displays always attract attention and once a person has walked onto our stand, it provides us an opportunity to put over our important message.

Contrary to the traditionally conservative approach of research organisations, the WSRI has gained a reputation of being somewhat controversial and fearless due to our combined research and conservation programs. We are very proud of this reputation as it relays to us that we are being heard and that we are making a difference. We firmly believe that research cannot proceed without conservation. We do not have the policy of research and then conserve, thus our programs are run together.

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PO Box 50775, V & A Waterfront, Cape Town 8001, South Africa
Tel: (021) 5529794 Fax: (021) 5529795
Email: info@whiteshark.co.za