Great white and Bronze whaler sharks in Gansbaai, South Africa

The seas around Dyer Island have one of the densest populations of Great White sharks in the world which is readily accessible to research scientists.
Attracted by the colony of about 60 000 seals on Geyser Rock (separated from Dyer Island by the world-famous Shark Alley) these mysterious apex predators are regularly sighted by thousands of visitors who come here to do shark cage diving each year. Even though these magnificent predators are protected in South Africa, they are still facing numerous threats and there has been no notable increase in the population over time.
Another shark species encountered in this area is the Bronze Whaler shark, also known as the Copper or Narrow tooth shark. Their copper/gold colour is distinctive and this species is very active around the shark cage diving vessels leaving nature lovers and divers enthralled. It is not known to be predatory to humans, but itself faces fishing pressures and is considered near-threatened by the IUCN. The only other way that visitors are able to view these incredible species, is to scuba dive on the sardine run, which is limited to a few weeks in June and July. The opportunity for a non-diver to see them is in fact quite rare.
Threats for both species include:
Shark nets along our coastline
Illegal fishing for Great white sharks to collect their jaws as hunting trophies
Great White sharks are legally hunted in our neighbouring countries
Bronze Whaler sharks are still fished legally in South Africa with no exemption for pregnant Bronze whaler sharks
For over 450 million years these marvellous creatures have been surviving in our oceans, yet in one human lifetime, the human race has pushed many shark species to the edge of extinction. The biggest culprit is being ignorant to the needs for these species to not only survive but thrive and realising the key role sharks play in each ecosystem they inhabit.
Our key message is Your Choice Makes a Difference.
By choosing to understand sharks, through education and experience, you are making a difference to better protect them with us.
Through the owner established Dyer Island Conservation Trust, we:
Discover and understand this globally important marine eco-system through world-class scientific research. 15 years of critical data that has contributed to studies that can contribute to Government conservation decisions.
Protect the long-term future of the species which live here by translating this knowledge into evidence-based conservation initiatives and legislation.
Educate our partners, local communities, legislators and international visitors - by informing and actively involving them in achieving our goals for the benefit to all.
Support Marine Wildlife at www.dict.org.za
Award-winning Marine Dynamics Shark and Whale Tours is a commercial boat-based shark cage diving and whale watching company based in Gansbaai, South Africa.
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