Welcome

The Southern African Shark & Ray Symposium (SASRS) is a biennial meeting of the academic community of Southern Africa who are currently conducting research on these taxa, is looking for a new host for Oct/Nov 2023.

The Dyer Island Conservation Trust /Marine Dynamics thoroughly enjoyed hosting the
2021 6th Southern African Shark and Ray Symposium in Gansbaai,
with special thanks to sponsor Save Our Seas Foundation.


Who will host this event in 2023?

Previous symposiums have been hosted by: KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board (2011), Shark Spotters (2013), Oceans Research (2015), South African Shark Conservancy (2017), Two Oceans Aquarium (2019), Dyer Island Conservation Trust/Marine Dynamics (2021).

We are looking for a new host for this event that brings together delegates to engage and share information on the status of their different projects, and have meaningful and robust discussions that deliver outcomes beneficial to chondrichthyan species, marine ecosystems and human communities.

Should you be interested, please email a proposal to [email protected] by 30 April 2022 with the below information. The scientific committee from 2021 will then make a decision based on proposals received.

The next host will take over the website and twitter account and any supporting information from previous events will be shared.

Want to host the 7th Southern African Shark & Ray Symposium in 2023?

GUIDELINES FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST TO HOST THE 7TH SOUTHERN AFRICAN SHARK & RAY SYMPOSIUM

  • Date:
  • Submitted by:
  • Affiliation:
  • Summary of Expression of Interest
  • Proposed dates
  • Symposium venue
  • Organizing Committee Members
  • Timeline of organisation
  • Poster sessions
  • Registration fees
  • Awards
  • Promotion of Symposium and Communication
  • Accommodation
  • Transportation
  • Social and Extramural Activities
Download the document template here

Venue

GANSBAAI is a key shark aggregation site/ location in the Western Cape, and part of the Cape Whale Coast, a Mission Blue Hope Spot.

The Symposium will be held from 17-19th November 2021 in Gansbaai hosted by the Dyer Island Conservation Trust and Marine Dynamics Shark & Whale Tours. Gansbaai is approximately 2 hours from the Cape Town International Airport, and is easily accessible as a self-drive or by arranged airport transfer.

The Dyer Island Conservation Trust/Marine Dynamics team is involved in critical white shark studies based on daily observational data and tagging and tracking studies. Marine Dynamics is an award-winning shark cage diving company showcasing the white shark and the bronze whaler shark. Dyer Island Conservation Trust is a registered non-profit focusing on marine conservation and community projects.

Dyer Island and the surrounding ocean is a critically important eco-system and home to the Marine Big 5. Known as an Important Bird Area, and managed by CapeNature, Dyer Island is home to breeding colonies of the endangered African penguin and other seabirds. About 60 000 Cape Fur Seals are resident on Geyser Rock opposite the island and they attract the densest population of Great White Sharks in the world. The many sheltered areas of the bay provide the breeding ground for the Southern Right Whales that migrate here from the sub-Antarctic islands between June to December each year. The area is also visited by Bryde’s and Humpback Whales as well as various dolphin species.


Delegates are to make their own transport and accommodation arrangements. Shuttles can be available to the venue each day if out of town. A number of accommodation options are available in close proximity to the Symposium venue.

Sponsors