DISCOVERING SHARKS IN SOUTH AFRICA
EARTHWATCH 2015 DISCOVERING SHARKS IN SOUTH AFRICA Nicole Morrill Page 1 6/18/15Nicole Morrill Page 1 6/18/15 MESSAGES FROM EARTHWATCH DEAR EARTHWATCHER, Thank-you for your interest in our Earthwatch project Discovering sharks in South Africa. We can't wait to meet you and have you join our shark citizen science team! We are so lucky to live and work in such a beautiful part of the world, and we look forward to sharing it with you. You will fall in love with our study area - the beautiful Walker Bay in Hermanus. Located right near the bottom tip of Africa, Walker Bay is at the heart of where two great oceans, the Atlantic and Indian Ocean, meet. The bay is teaming with wildlife, not only the sharks, but whales, dolphins, seals, fish, lobster and many other animals! South Africa is a stunning country and we hope that you get the chance to explore more of it before or after your time with us. Sharks urgently need our help. Approximately 100 million sharks a year are killed and around a quarter of all species are threatened with extinction. Fortunately, with assistance from people like yourselves, we can help save sharks. With this project, we will learn more about several shark species that we know very little about and have rarely been studied. Many of these sharks are endemic species, which means that they are found only in a small area in this part of the world. You will get up close and personal with these amazing creatures helping us collect vital scientific data, measure, tag and release the sharks. We will be able to look at their movement patterns through our tagging surveys and assess which habitats sharks are found in. We will be deploying baited remote underwater video cameras (BRUVs) in areas that no one has ever done so before. You will help us analyze the footage and you never quite know what may pop up on the screen! We will be trialing a photo identification study so that we can identify individual sharks by their unique markings. Walker Bay is a seasonal Marine Protected Area and we will be assessing the effectiveness of the MPA on shark populations. All this knowledge is invaluable for our quest toward shark conservation. The data that we will be collecting will be used to inform managers about critical information about shark's behaviors and habitats. Thanks to your assistance we will be making some great, positive progress toward shark conservation in South Africa and around the world. Thank-you for your interest in 'Discovering Sharks in South Africa'. We look forward to immersing you into our world soon! Sincerely, Earthwatch Scientists, Katie Gledhill, Meaghen McCord, and Tamzyn Zweig DEAR EARTHWATCHER, Thank you for joining this expedition! We greatly appreciate your decision to contribute to hands-on environmental science and conservation. As an Earthwatch volunteer, you have the opportunity to create positive change. And while you’re out in the field working toward that change, we are committed to caring for your safety. Although risk is an inherent part of the environments in which we work, we’ve been providing volunteer field experiences with careful risk management and diligent planning for over 40 years. You’re in good hands. We hope this expedition will inspire you to get more involved in conservation and sustainable development priorities—not just out in the field, but also when you return home. We encourage you to share your experiences with others, and to transfer your skills and enthusiasm to environmental conservation efforts in your workplace, community, and home. If you have questions as you prepare for your expedition, contact your Earthwatch office. Thank you for your support, and enjoy your expedition! Sincerely, Larry Mason President and CEO, Earthwatch 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS GENERAL INFORMATION ................. 4 TRIP PLANNER ............................ 5 EXPEDITION PACKING LIST .............. 6 THE RESEARCH ........................... 7 DAILY LIFE IN THE FIELD ................ 10 ACCOMMODATIONS AND FOOD ......... 11 TRAVEL TIPS .............................. 12 PROJECT CONDITIONS ................... 13 SAFETY .................................... 16 PROJECT STAFF .......................... 17 RECOMMENDED READING ............... 18 EMERGENCY NUMBERS .................. 19 3 GENERAL INFORMATION DISCOVERING SHARKS IN SOUTH AFRICA EARTHWATCH SCIENTISTS EXPEDITION DATES Katie Gledhill, Research Scientist, South African Shark Conservancy Team 4: Jun. 21–27, 2015 Meaghen McCord, Founder and Director, South African Shark Conservancy Please refrain from booking flights until you receive your complete rendezvous information, which will be sent to you upon request Tamzyn Zweig, Research Scientist, South African Shark Conservatory RESEARCH SITE . Walker Bay, South Africa, Africa 4 TRIP PLANNER DISCOVERING SHARKS IN SOUTH AFRICA TRIP PLANNER IMMEDIATELY 60 DAYS PRIOR TO EXPEDITION □ Make sure you understand and agree to Earthwatch’s Terms and Conditions. □ If you plan to purchase additional travel insurance, note that some policies require purchase when your expedition is booked. □ Make sure you have all the necessary vaccinations for your project site. □ Review the Packing Checklist to make sure you have all the clothing, personal supplies and equipment needed. 90 DAYS PRIOR TO EXPEDITION 30 DAYS PRIOR TO EXPEDITION □ Log in at earthwatch.org to complete your volunteer forms. □ Pay any outstanding balance for your expedition. □ Book travel arrangements (see the Travel Planning section for details). □ If traveling internationally, make sure your passport is current and, if necessary, obtain a visa for your destination country. □ Leave the Earthwatch 24-hour helpline number with a relative or friend. □ Leave copies of your passport, visa, and airline tickets with a relative or friend. Read this expedition briefing thoroughly. It provides the most accurate information available at the time of your Earthwatch scientist’s project planning, and will likely answer any questions you have about the project. However, please also keep in mind that research requires improvisation, and you may need to be flexible. Research plans evolve in response to new findings, as well as to unpredictable factors such as weather, equipment failure, and travel challenges. To enjoy your expedition to the fullest, remember to expect the unexpected, be tolerant of repetitive tasks, and try to find humor in difficult situations. If there are any major changes in the research plan or field logistics, Earthwatch will make every effort to keep you well informed before you go into the field. 5 EXPEDITION PACKING LIST DISCOVERING SHARKS IN SOUTH AFRICA EXPEDITION PACKING LIST BEDDING AND BATHING GENERAL □ This expedition briefing □ Photocopies of your passport, flight itinerary, and credit cards in case the originals are lost or stolen; the copies should be packed separately from the original documents □ Bath towel(s) □ All pillows and linen will be provided at the accommodation PERSONAL SUPPLIES □ Personal toiletries (biodegradable soaps and shampoos are encouraged) □ Antibacterial wipes or lotion (good for cleaning hands while in the field) □ Personal first aid kit (e.g., anti-diarrhea pills, antibiotics, antiseptic, itch-relief, pain reliever, bandages, blister covers, etc.) and medications □ Passport and/or visa (if necessary) □ Certification of vaccination (if necessary) □ Documentation for travel by minors (if necessary) CLOTHING/FOOTWEAR FOR FIELDWORK □ Lightweight, long-sleeved shirts to be worn over short-sleeve shirts for sun protection □ Lightweight field pants (hiking pants with zip-off legs work well □ Spending money OPTIONAL ITEMS □ Comfortable shoes to change into after conducting field work □ Snorkel gear: Mask, snorkel, and fins - Please bring gear if you plan to snorkel. □ Rain gear, including rain pants □ Old clothes that can get dirty for field work □ Wide brimmed hat for sun protection □ Rashguard and/or wet suit if you plan on snorkeling □ Camera, film or memory card(s), extra camera battery. Waterproof housing (if you have one) □ Video camera or GoProBinoculars (June teams are during whale season) □ Hardware for sharing digital photographs at the end of the expedition □ Dry bag or plastic sealable bags (e.g. Ziploc) to protect equipment like cameras from dust, humidity, and water □ Comfortable, closed toed shoes (i.e. sneakers) □ Bathing suit(s) CLOTHING/FOOTWEAR FOR LEISURE □ At least one set of clothing to wear outside in the evenings (we recommend a long sleeve shirt and long pants as evenings tend to be cool) □ At least one set of clothing to keep clean for end of expedition □ Pair of light shoes or sandals to wear around the accommodations □ Books, games, art supplies, etc. for free time □ Earplugs for light sleepers FIELD SUPPLIES NOTE: Do not bring more luggage than you can carry and handle on your own. If traveling by air and checking your luggage, we advise you to pack an extra set of field clothing and personal essentials in your carry-on bag in case your luggage is lost or delayed. □ Small daypack to keep your personal items together and dry □ Sunscreen lotion with SPF 30 or higher □ Flashlight with extra batteries and extra bulb (for walking around the accommodations after dark) □ Two one-liter water bottles □ Polarized Sunglasses with a strap □ beach towel 6 THE RESEARCH DISCOVERING SHARKS IN SOUTH AFRICA THE STORY Nearly a quarter of shark and ray species worldwide are at risk of extinction (Dulvey et al 2014). It is estimated that 100 million sharks are killed each year (Worm et al. 2013), largely due to the Asian shark fin market (Clarke et al 2006). As marine apex predators, elasmobranchs (sharks, rays, and skates) are species that regulate the ecosystems they occupy. The removal of shark species from the marine ecosystem can have a detrimental impact on the entire food chain (Ferretti et al. 2010). For example, fewer sharks mean that the population of mid-level predators increases, which in turn eat herbivorous fish. When these populations decline, the algae they consume become more abundant on the reefs, which can smother and destroy the reefs. This example of the top-down effects of predators is known as a trophic cascade. South Africa has some of the richest, most diverse wildlife of anywhere in the world. This includes a wealth of marine species, about 33 percent of which are found only in southern African waters and one of greatest shark biodiversities globally (Compagno 2000; NPOA Sharks 2012). While some species of sharks, such as white sharks, are well studied in South Africa, there is little to no data available on the many other species of sharks and fish that exist in Walker Bay – a seasonally protected area in southern South Africa (Compagno 1999). This study will be the first comprehensive assessment of the marine biodiversity of the bay. 7 In 2014, the South African Shark Conservancy (SASC) worked alongside the world renowned marine biologist, Dr Sylvia Earle and Mission Blue to declare the Cape Whale Coast Hope Spot, which Hermanus and Walker Bay are an integral part of. As Dr Earle states: “We have the knowledge and the technology, what we need is the will to use it intelligently to ensure an enduring place for ourselves within the natural system that keeps us alive.” methods - Baited Remote Underwater Video Surveys (BRUVs) and scientific angling. BRUVs will be used to assess the diversity and abundance of fish and sharks, while scientific angling will be used to assess shark populations and collect scientific measurements and photographs for the photo identification study, as well as collect genetic samples. Genetic samples will be used to look at the population structure of sharks on a wider regional, national and international scale. The first few study teams will help to collect baseline data on the species diversity and seasonal abundance of shark and fish populations in the bay, in addition to studying which habitats these sharks prefer to spend their time in and how they move around the bay. This data will form the basis for a long-term monitoring study looking at how stable these populations are and how much they vary. You will also look at the importance of different habitats – including kelp, rocky reef, sand, and estuarine habitats. We will compare the species diversity, relative abundance and economic cost between the two sampling methods: BRUVs and shark angling. We will aim to assess the scientific and cost effectiveness between the two methods. The footage and images from the BRUV footage will be used for educational and outreach purposes. This footage allows us to share the beautiful underwater world of Walker Bay to people who may not usually have access to underwater. The footage will enable us to promote Walker Bay as sustainable ecotourism destination. As citizen scientists on this project, you will help to collect data that will lead to critical scientific research, management and conservation efforts. Assess the effectiveness of using photo identification software on Dark shysharks, Brown shysharks, Puffadder shysharks, Leopard catsharks, and Spotted Gully Sharks. All sharks that are sampled through the angling survey will be photographed and uploaded into a database. This noninvasive technique has been successful in identifying individuals from other shark and ray species, such as whale sharks and manta rays (eg. Meekan and Cappo 2004; Meekan et al 2006, Malcolm et al 2007; Brooks et al 2011; Bond et al 2012). If the technique is successful, we will launch a regional citizen science project where divers and fishermen can send in photos of sharks. This will help us assess shark distribution and seasonal pattern along the coastline. RESEARCH AIMS To date there is no formal assessment of the shark, ray and fish species that live in Walker Bay. We aim to document which species are present in Walker Bay and assess whether certain patterns or trends are displayed in the shark populations. The research team has several objectives, including: Assess the species diversity and abundance of shark and fish species across different habitats in Walker Bay. Investigate the population size of individual species and how they use their habitats. This objective will be addressed using two 8 HOW YOU WILL HELP • Aquaria and Touch tank maintenance and care: You will assist with feeding the sharks in the tanks at the research facility. You may assist in collecting organisms for the facility touch tank. You will assist project staff (from shore) with catching small demersal sharks using snorkel gear and/or collecting shark egg cases with growing baby sharks inside for our in-house shark nursery. As a volunteer on this expedition, you will be trained to be involved in some or all the following research activities: • Baited remote underwater video surveys (BRUVs) deployment: You will accompany project staff to deploy and retrieve BRUV rigs from a research vessel and/or shore throughout the study sites in Walker Bay. We will lower the BRUV rig into the water using a rope and float system. Environmental parameters, such as water depth, sea surface temperature, salinity, pH, visibility, ocean current, wind speed and direction, and habitat type will be recorded by the volunteers during each sampling period. • Shark Morphometric study: The project team is currently re-evaluating a taxonomic key to assess detailed measurements of endemic catsharks to determine whether these measurements will assist in species identification. You will assist by taking detailed measurements on live sharks in our tanks. • Baited remote underwater video surveys (BRUVs) analysis: Back at the lab, you will download the video and analyze the footage obtained from the BRUVs with one of the project staff. This will involve counting the number of sharks and other animals seen on the video footage. You will be trained on how to identify local shark and marine animal species. You may also participate in one or more of the following activities based on research needs and weather conditions: • Eggcase hunts: You will work with one of SASC's project partners, Whale Coast Conservation, in assisting on eggcase hunts. Earthwatch teams will walk along local beaches, document and collect eggcases from sharks, skates and rays that are found on the beach. This will help us determine which species are found along certain beaches in the area.' • Shark surveys: You will be present during each fishing survey for shark species, assisting the trained staff through the entire process. You will help to record data, take length measurements, obtain a small fin clip for later genetic analysis, and tag sharks. • Shark Education and Outreach: SASC is passionate about sharing research and conservation knowledge with the public. The SASC laboratory is open to the public and offers tours of the facility. Tours of the facility are led by SASC staff. SASC regularly invites school groups, white shark cage diving volunteers and other community members to the facility. You may assist with public education and outreach events. • Photo identification: You will take photographs of all sharks caught through the scientific angling surveys. We may catch additional sharks and place them in our holding tanks in the SASC facility. These photos will be uploaded into our database to later be analyzed with software to see if we can identify individuals by their unique patterns. You will upload photos and data such as tag number, sex, and other scientific measurements into the database. 9 DAILY LIFE IN THE FIELD DISCOVERING SHARKS IN SOUTH AFRICA DAILY ACTIVITIES Upon arrival to Hermanus, you’ll have a welcome lunch with the team. You will receive an introduction and background presentation to the project, to the South African Shark Conservancy (SASC) and receive an orientation to Hermanus. You will receive a thorough safety briefing on how to safely work with the sharks to best protect yourself and the sharks themselves. When we begin our fieldwork, project staff will introduce and demonstrate each new task; we’ll work with you until you’re comfortable with any new activities. We will also be present and supervise all aspects of the project to ensure data quality. Field work is a lot of fun and you will have the chance to get up close and personal with the sharks while helping us with our research! BRUVs from shore or fish for sharks dependent on the weather and research needs. The home team will analyze BRUV footage from the previous day and/or input photo identification and shark capture data into our database. Equipment used on the preceding day will be checked and serviced if necessary. Around noon, we will enjoy our lunches and take a short break out in the field. In the afternoon the teams will swap roles. After the day of field work and data collection, we will all return to the accommodations for showers and relaxation. Then, we will convene for a group dinner and evening wrap up of the day’s events. In general, research days will include up to eight hours per day in the field or lab. DAILY ACTIVITIES * Please note that if weather is unfavorable for main research tasks, the entire research and Earthwatch team may remain at the research station for the day and complete all the 'home team' activities and/or work with the sharks in the tanks and complete some of the alternate research activities. The following good weather day the entire team may spend the entire day in the field conducting 'away team' research activities. Each morning, we will have breakfast and prepare a packed lunch before going over the general schedule for the day to outline what you should bring into the field. Depending on team sizes, we may split the team into two teams. In this case, there will be a home team and an away team. In the morning, we will head out into the field to either deploy ITINERARY DAY 1: ARRIVAL □ 12 noon - Lunch in the field □ 1:00 p.m. - 'Home and away' teams swap roles □ Arrive at the rendezvous airport and meet project driver □ Travel 1.5 hours to accommodations in Hermanus. □ 5:00 p.m. - Finish field work and return to accommodation □ Unpack and settle before having a group lunch □ 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Dinner □ 7:00 p.m. onward - Optional free time or activity. We will organize films, documentaries for viewing or an evening lecture on our research if desired. □ Welcome and orientation talk with project staff □ Project briefing and training □ Overview of safety DAY 2–6: TRAINING AND RESEARCH DAY 7: DEPARTURE □ 7:00 a.m. - Breakfast and morning briefing □ Breakfast □ Prepare packed lunches for the field □ Closing talk □ 8:00 a.m. – Leave for research station and/or field sites □ Photo exchange □ Receive field task training before commencing each task □ Depart for airport □ Begin field work 10 ACCOMMODATIONS AND FOOD ABOUT YOUR HOME IN THE FIELD SLEEPING Museum directly in front of Old Harbor, one of the study sites, and has wonderful ocean views. You will be staying in a rented vacation house that overlooks the water, nearby to the research station. Rooms will be shared and single gender. There will be a communal kitchen, communal bathroom and shared dining and living room space. There is a small yard with a grill and some shade where teams can relax after a long day in the field. DISTANCE TO THE FIELD SITE All research is conducted in Hermanus. Research will take place at 1) SASC research lab 2) Old Harbour or New Harbour in Walker Bay 3) Local beaches - Grotto Beach, Onrus beach, Die Gang BATHROOMS All study sites are within a 15 minute drive from accommodation and/or the field station. All lodging facilities are modern and have hot water showers and conventional toilets. FOOD AND WATER ELECTRICITY Everyone will take turns to help prepare and clean up from meals. Breakfasts will be continental in style, and lunches will be prepared in the morning and packed for the field. Dinners will be prepared in the kitchen at the accommodations and volunteers will help with preparation and clean-up. Water is fine to drink from the tap. You are welcome to bring electrical equipment. All lodging facilities have electrical outlets. Bring an adapter for South African plugs. ESKOM, the local governmental energy provider, sometimes schedules full power outages to reduce load on the national energy system. These power outages are called “load shedding” and usually last about 2 hours, and can happen at random. TYPICAL MEALS COMMUNICATIONS Depending on your mobile phone carrier, cell service can be found near the accommodations. You can purchase a South African local ‘pay as you go’ or pre-paid cell phone SIM cards and Internet ‘dongles’ on arrival in Cape Town at the airport and at some outlets in Hermanus. Please note that personal communication with outsiders is not always possible while participating in an expedition. Earthwatch encourages volunteers to minimize outgoing calls and immerse themselves in the experience. Likewise, family and friends should restrict calls to urgent messages only. There is wi-fi at the South African Shark Conservancy office that will be available for volunteers. The signal can be intermittent, but is generally available. BREAKFAST Breakfast cereals, toast, fruit, yogurt and a selection of spreads, coffee, tea, juice. A hot breakfast will be offered when available. LUNCH Sandwiches with cold meats, salad, cheese and condiment options fruit, crackers DINNER A selection of Southern African and Western meals including Lasagna, chicken, pasta, stir-fry’s, hamburgers, curry, Sheppard’s pie, chicken wraps etc. with sides of vegetables, salads, rice. We will have traditional South African Braai (barbeque) one of the evenings. SNACKS Fruit, chips, pretzels, granola bars, etc. BEVERAGES Water, fruit juice, coffee, tea, hot chocolate SPECIAL DIETARY REQUIREMENTS Please alert Earthwatch to any special dietary requirements (e.g., diabetes, lactose intolerance, nut or other food allergies, vegetarian or vegan diets) as soon as possible, and note them in the space provided on your volunteer forms. FACILITIES AND AMENITIES The South African Shark Conservancy (SASC) office will be the main site for all group activities including training, presentations, and some research tasks. There is an office, education room and a lab room. The lab has interpretive displays and two shark tanks that support the research and education activities and a touch tank with local marine species. The bathroom is in a separate building on the premises The SASC office is located in the Old Harbour This project can cater for vegetarian, vegan, and lactose-free diets. 11 TRAVEL TIPS SUGGESTIONS FOR THE ROAD YOUR DESTINATION PASSPORTS AND VISAS LANGUAGE: English, Afrikaans, and various local tribal and regional languages. All project activities and instruction will be conducted in English. Passport and visa requirements are subject to change. Check with your travel advisor, embassy or consulate in your home country for requirements specific to your circumstances. Generally, passports must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry and a return ticket is required. TIME ZONE: GMT +2 hours CULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS: Casual, modest dress is acceptable nearly everywhere. Tipping restaurant wait staff, airport curbside baggage handlers, and hotel bellhops is customary. We recommend tipping 10-20% of your bill at restaurants. ELECTRICITY: 220/230 volts AC, 50 Hz. Most plugs are Type M (three round pins—see image) but some plugs with two smaller pins are also found on appliances. U.S.-made appliances may need an adapter. Citizenship Passport Required? Visa Required? United States Yes No United Kingdom Yes No Europe Yes No Australia Yes No Japan Yes No If a visa is required, participants should apply for a TOURIST visa. Please note that obtaining a visa can take weeks or even months. We strongly recommend using a visa agency, which can both expedite and simplify the process. MONEY MATTERS LOCAL CURRENCY: South African Rand (ZAR; symbol R) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of R200, 100, 50, 20, and 10. Coins are in denominations of R5, 2, and 1, and 50, 20, 10 and 5 cents. PERSONAL FUNDS: $200 should suffice if you’d like to purchase additional food, supplies or souvenirs. You can walk to an ATM or the bank from the project site to access additional funds. Major credit cards are accepted in both Cape Town and Hermanus in many restaurants and shops. 12 PROJECT CONDITIONS THE FIELD ENVIRONMENT GENERAL CONDITIONS ESSENTIAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Summer conditions can be hot with a high UV factor. Temperatures are much cooler in winter and rainfall can be variable. There can be periods of heavy rain and wind during the winter months. Although moderate fitness and balance are desirable, we strive to make the project as accessible as possible. You will get wet on this expedition but that is part of the fun! All participants must be able to: □ Follow verbal and/or visual instructions independently or with the assistance of a companion. □ Enjoy being outdoors most of the day in variable weather, in the potential presence of wild marine animals. □ Wear all protective equipment recommended or required by industry standards and/or project staff. GENERAL CONDITIONS □ Traverse on a rocky shore, rock paths that can sometimes be steep, and sandy beaches. HUMIDITY: June: 80% Feb: 73% □ Carry a small day pack with your personal items, lunch and some field gear that may be up to 10 pounds/4.5 kilos TEMPERATURE RANGE: June: 48º F–66º F (9º C–19º C) Feb: 66º F–77º F (19º C–27º C) □ Swim competently and be comfortable in wavy conditions if you plan to swim or snorkel. RAINFALL: June: 2.7 in (66 mm) Feb: >1 in (9 mm) GENERAL CONDITIONS TYPICAL WATER TEMPERATURE DURING PROJECT: 54º F/12º C TYPICAL WATER VISIBILITY: 3 ft/1 m TO 12 ft/4 m TYPICAL MAXIMUM WATER DEPTH (BOTTOM DEPTH) IN AREA: 1.5 ft/0.5 m to 20 ft/18 m 13 POTENTIAL HAZARDS DISCOVERING SHARKS IN SOUTH AFRICA HAZARD TYPE ASSOCIATED RISKS AND PRECAUTIONS Transportation Teams will travel on public, paved roads in good condition, but risks inherent in road travel still apply. All volunteers will have a seatbelt and must use it whenever the vehicle is in motion. Only qualified field staff will operate vehicles. Shark handling Volunteers will be briefed on shark handling and procedures and the start of each team to minimise injury to volunteers and sharks. All project staff have extensive shark handling experience from several years up to a decade. Project staff will remove hooks from sharks mouths and conduct all the research and shark handling from the pectoral fins to the mouth. Personal Security Hermanus is a generally safe region for travelers; however, do not leave valuables unattended in public areas, and do not walk alone or at night. Use taxis services at night to get around. Volunteers will be briefed on arrival about safety precautions and no-go zones. Swimming Swimming and snorkeling may be optional activities on your team. The area is directly in front of the SASC office. Weather and sea conditions will be assessed by project staff before allowing any person to enter the water. There is no lifeguard on duty. Sun exposure and heat All volunteers will be briefed on sun safety. It will mandatory to bring hats, sunglasses and T-shirts and footwear for all outdoor fieldwork. Length of field trips may be adjusted according to temperature and sunlight exposure. Volunteers will be reminded to drink sufficient water. Animals and insects Sharks, jellyfish, sea urchins, and stingrays are all risks present when swimming, snorkeling, or wading in the area. Volunteers will be trained to identify dangerous marine species and to avoid them. Protect your feet by wearing shoes or booties, and by watching where you step. Mosquitos can be present at night, during February teams. Disease Volunteers should consult their travel doctor prior to travelling and ensure immunizations are up to date (tetanus etc). Malaria is present in South Africa, however it is restricted to a small area near the border of Mozambique and it is not near to the research area, therefore malaria medication is unnecessary unless volunteers plan to travel to other areas. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travelers travelling to and from infected countries but yellow fever is not present in South Africa. Routine vaccinations (e.g. Hep A, B, should be up to date). South Africa has one of the highest rates of HIV/AIDs in the world, so volunteers should be wary of blood or bodily fluid contact. Tap water is considered potable in Hermanus, Cape Town and major cities but bottled water should be drunk when travelling to remote areas. 14 SAFETY HEALTH INFORMATION PROJECT VACCINATIONS REQUIRED: If traveling from countries or regions where yellow fever is endemic, you must have a certificate of vaccination. You may need to present this certificate when you arrive in country. RECOMMENDED FOR HEALTH REASONS: Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B EMERGENCIES IN THE FIELD Accommodations and vehicles all have first aid kits. In the event of a medical emergency, the Earthwatch scientists will administer first aid, and depending on the seriousness of the injury or condition, either take the volunteer to the hospital using one of the project vehicles (always available) or call emergency services by cellphone. While in the field, the scientists will carry portable two-way radios and each will carry a cell phone for emergency communication. If a volunteer has to leave the expedition early for emergency reasons, the Earthwatch scientists will determine the most appropriate form of transport to the airport (either one of the project vehicles or ambulance). For emergency assistance in the field, please contact Earthwatch’s 24-hour emergency hotline number on the last page of this briefing. Earthwatch is available to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; someone is always on call to respond to messages that come into our live answering service. IMMUNIZATIONS Please be sure your routine immunizations are up-to-date (for example diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella and varicella). Medical decisions are the responsibility of each volunteer and his or her doctor, and the following are recommendations only. Visit the Healix Travel Oracle website through the “Travel Assistance and Advice” page in your Earthwatch portal, cdc.gov or who.int for guidance on immunizations. 15 PROJECT STAFF YOUR RESOURCES IN THE FIELD EARTHWATCH SCIENTIST Katie Gledhill is a Research Scientist and the Shark Research Program Manager at South African Shark Conservancy (SASC). Katie received her B.S. in Coastal and Marine Ecosystems from the University of Technology in Sydney Australia. She has been working on shark research and conservation projects around the world for the past decade. Australian born, she has been blessed enough to work with sharks and other marine animals and communities in amazing locations such as the Bahamas, US, Philippines, Mexico and South Africa. She has worked with some amazing and threatened species, such as giant tiger sharks from 800ft on bottom of the Gulf Stream, pregnant lemon sharks moments before they gave birth, critically endangered smalltooth sawfish, and her new personal favorite: the endemic catsharks found in South Africa. Before working with SASC, Kat was the Manager and Assistant Manager at the world famous Bimini Biological Field Station (Sharklab) in Bimini, Bahamas for four years. Other than sharks, Kat's greatest love is science and strongly believes in science based conservation and management for sharks and rays. EARTHWATCH SCIENTIST Meaghen McCord is the founder and director of the South African Shark Conservancy (SASC). Meaghen founded SASC in 2007 after identifying a need for research and management of commercially exploited shark species in South Africa. She has an MSc in Fisheries Science from Rhode University in Grahamstown, South Africa and her BSc. in Marine Biology from Dalhousie University, Canada. Meaghen has an extensive background in shark research within South African Africa (South Africa and Tanzania) and in her home country of Canada. Her greatest moment in the field was leading the expedition that lead to the scientific discovery of bull sharks in the Breede River, South Africa. This discovery helped rewrite existing literature on the species, describing a new maximum size (four meters total length) and previously undescribed habitat. Since this discovery, she has conducted four years of research on bull sharks in the river, including groundbreaking large-scale movement studies using satellite telemetry. Meaghan McCord is a current member of the Sub-equatorial African region International Union Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Shark Specialist Group. EARTHWATCH SCIENTIST Tamzyn Zweig serves as the principal investigator for the South African Shark Conservancy’s Recreational Fisheries research project (RecFish SA) and also helps manage SASC's operations. As part of SASC's RecFishSA, Tamzyn has conducted fisher training workshops around Southern Africa and has tagged over 1000 sharks and rays at fishing competitions. Tamzyn has a National diploma in Fisheries Resources Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa, in Fisheries Resource Management. NOTE: All Principle Investigators will be present for all the Eathwatch teams, although their roles and participation may vary between teams. 16 RECOMMENDED READING YOUR RESOURCES AT HOME ARTICLES PROJECT-RELATED WEBSITE • South African Shark Conservancy: www.sharkconservancy.org • De Vos, Optimal BRUVs (Baited Remote Underwater Video System) survey design for reef fish monitoring for reef fish monitroing in the Stilbaai Marine Protected Area. African Journal of Marine Science SOUTH AFRICAN SHARK CONSERVANCY SOCIAL MEDIA BOOKS • • • • • Griffiths, C. L., Branch G. M., Branch M. L., - Two Oceans: A guide to the marine life of southern Africa • David A. Ebert, Sarah Fowler and Leonard Compagno Sharks of the World – A fully illustrated guide OR David A. Ebert and Sarah Fowler - An Illustrated Pocket Guide to the Sharks of the World FACEBOOK GROUP: South African Shark Conservancy FACEBOOK PAGE: South African Shark Conservancy YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/user/SharkConservancy TWITTER: twitter.com/@SASC3 EARTHWATCH SOCIAL MEDIA Get to know Earthwatch better at: • FACEBOOK: facebook.com/Earthwatch • YOUTUBE: youtube.com/earthwatchinstitute • TWITTER: twitter.com/earthwatch_org 17 LITERATURE CITED • Bond ME, Babcock EA, Pikitch EK, Abercrombie DL, Lamb NF and Chapman DD. 2012. Reef sharks exhibit site-fidelity and higher relative abundance in Marine Reserves on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. PLoS ONE 7, e32983. • Brooks, E.J., Sloman, K.A., Sims, D.W. (2011) Validating the use of baited remote underwater video surveys for assessing the diversity, distribution and abundance of sharks in the Bahamas. Endangered Species Research • Clarke SC, McAllister MK, Milner-Gulland EJ, Kirkwood GP, Michielsens CGJ, Agnew DJ, Pikitch EK, Nakano H, Shivji MS. 2006. Global estimates of shark catches using trade records from commercial markets. Ecology Letters 9: 1115-1126. • Compagno, L J V. (1999) An overview of chondrichthyan systematics and biodiversity in southern Africa. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa, 54(1), 75-120. • Compagno, L.J.V. (2000) Sharks of the World. An Annotated and Illustrated Catalogue of Shark Species Known to Date. Volume 2. Bullhead, Mackerel and Carpet sharks (Heterodontiformes, Lamniformes and Orectolobiformes). FAO Species Catalogue for Fishery Purposes. No. 1, Vol. 2., Rome, 269pp. • Dulvy, Nicholas K , Sarah L Fowler, John A Musick, Rachel D Cavanagh, Peter M Kyne, Lucy R Harrison, John K Carlson, Lindsay NK Davidson, Sonja V Fordham, Malcolm P Francis, Caroline M Pollock, Colin A Simpfendorfer, George H Burgess, Kent E Carpenter, Leonard JV Compagno, David A Ebert, Claudine Gibson, Michelle R Heupel, Suzanne R Livingstone, Jonnell C Sanciangco, John D Stevens, Sarah Valenti, William T White (2014) Extinction risk and conservation of the world’s sharks and rays eLife 2014;3:e0059 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.00590 • Ferretti, F., Worm, B., Britten, G. L., Heithaus, M. R. and Lotze, H. K. (2010), Patterns and ecosystem consequences of shark declines in the ocean. Ecology Letters, 13: 1055–1071. doi: 10.1111/j.1461-0248.2010.01489. • Malcolm HA, Gladstone W, Lindfield S, Wraith J, Lynch TP (2007) Spatial and temporal variation in reef fish assemblages of marine parks in New South Wales, Australia— baited video observations. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 350:277–290 • Meekan M, Cappo M (2004) Non-destructive techniques for the rapid assessment of shark abundance in Northern Australia. Report prepared for the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry. Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville • Meekan M, Cappo M, Carleton J, Marriott R (2006) Surveys of sharks and fin-fish abundance on reefs within the MOU74 Box and Rowley Shoals using baited remote underwater video systems. Report prepared for the Department of the Environment and Heritage. Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville • Worm, B. Davis, B, Kettemer, Ward-Paige, C.A., Chapman, D., Heithaus, M., Kessel, S. and Gruber,S (2013) Global catches, exploitation rates, and rebuilding options for sharks Marine Policy 40:194–204 18 EMERGENCY NUMBERS AROUND-THE-CLOCK SUPPORT EARTHWATCH’S 24-HOUR EMERGENCY HOTLINE Call Earthwatch’s 24-hour on-call duty officer in the U.S.: +1 (978) 461.0081 +1 (800) 776.0188 (toll-free for calls placed from within the U.S.) After business hours, leave a message with our living answering service. State that you have an emergency and give the name of your expedition, your name, the location from which you are calling, and if possible, a phone number where you can be reached. An Earthwatch staff member will respond to your call within one hour. TRAVEL ASSISTANCE PROVIDER: HEALIX INTERNATIONAL +44.20.3667.8991 (collect calls and reverse charges accepted) U.S. TOLL FREE: +1.877.759.3917 U.K. FREE PHONE: 0.800.19.5180 E-MAIL: earthwatch@healix.com You may contact Healix International at any time. 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