The South African Collaborative White Shark Research Programme is the result of intensive and extensive collaboration between various researchers, managers and field and technical specialists.

The research team includes:

Herman OOSTHUIZEN

Biologist / Project Coordinator

Marine and Coastal Management

As a co-founder of this white shark research program, Herman is actively involved in driving and directing aspects of this project. Herman is also heavily involved in utilizing the groups research findings to develop policy and regulations for the conservation and management of the white shark, including regulating the white shark cage diving industry. Herman is convener of South Africaís Chondricthyan Working Group, and is co-supervisor to Ryan Johnson and Michael Scholl's university programs. It really is really recommended to have fun with online roulette prior to playing for real.


Ryan JOHNSON

Research Biologist

University of Pretoria

In 1998, Ryan began his masters program on the white shark in South Africa. Beginning in 1999, Ryan lived on Dyer Island for a period of 14 months, during which he conducting behavioral experiments on the white shark. These experiments aimed to investigate the complexities of prey selection and predatory motivation in the white shark. At present he is involved with the ultrasonic tracking and archival tags programs which will form the basis of his doctoral program. Follow success using the ranking of poker recommendations.


Michael C. SCHOLL

Research Biologist

University of Cape Town

In 1997, Michael started tagging white sharks in South Africa, soon realizing that usual visual tagging did not offer an adequate and long-term identification tool. Since 1998, Michael has been testing and using photographic identification and photo-grammetry to identify and measure the sharks visiting the Dyer Island area. This independent study aims at understanding the population dynamics and structure of the white shark in South Africa, and developing a reliable, long-term and non-invasive method to individually identify great white sharks. "Lamnidae" is the research vessel based at Gansbaai / Dyer Island. amain low-price free car insurance quotes rater sort


Mike MEYER

Chief Oceanographic Research Technician

Marine and Coastal Management

Mike has had a long standing involvment in research on many of South Africa's top marine predators, including marine mammals and elasmobranchs. He is an integral leader to the running and organisation of this project. In the field, Mike leads the Marine and Coastal Management component of the team.

aka "Austin Powers"

Mike PATERSON aka "Sharky" (for the Mossel Bay ladies)

Mechanical Technician

Marine and Coastal Management

Chief Mechanical Technician for Marine and Coastal Management. He is also a member of the Great White Shark research team where he is the dedicated technical expert responsible for testing electronic equipement and manufacturing all other tools.


Stephan SWANSON aka "The Italian Stallion"

Chief Oceanographic Research Assistant

Marine and Coastal Management

Stephan Swanson is a chief oceanographic research assistant with Marine and Coastal Management and has fifteen years experience in marine mammal research, especially seals dolphins and whales. He is also a member of the Great White Shark research team where he is the dedicated shark tagger and DNA sampler.


Deon KOTZE aka "Kotze the Caresser"

Chief Oceanographic Research Assistant

Marine and Coastal Management

Deon Kotze is a Chief Oceanographic Reasearch Assistent at Marine and Coastal Management for the past eighteen years, where he has assisted in various research projects on marine mammals and seabirds. He acts as baitline handler and chum master on the team.


Len J.V. COMPAGNO

Curator of fishes, head, Shark Research Center, South African Museum, Iziko, Museums of Cape Town

Len has researched sharks for over 35 years, beginning in 1966 at the University of Stanford, California, in his native USA. Len was the driving force behind formulating the 1991 legislation protecting the White Shark in South Africa. He founded the Shark Research Center, the initiating body for white shark research in South Africa. He is currently the currator for fishes at the South African Museum in Cape Town and is heading up the systematics and morphology research programmes on the White Shark.


Sheldon DUDLEY

Research Biologist

Natal Sharks Board


Marthan BESTER

Pinniped Biologist & Supervisor

Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria

Marthan has a strong and scientifically productive involvement in the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP). His research is in essence an investigation into the trophodynamics of pinnipeds. Marthan has had extensive expertise in using acoustic telemetry, archival tags and satellite technology to track and investigate habitat utilisation in pinnipeds. Expertise that he offers to this white shark program. He is Supervisor for Ryan's university study programs.


Charles GRIFFITH

Biologist & Supervisor

University of Cape Town

He is Supervisor for Michael Scholl's university study programs.