Sharks Under Attack
@sharksunderattack.bsky.social
Our sharks and rays are under attack globally... however, you can help. South Africa is a top 3 global hotspot for sharks and rays and can provide a safe haven.
Find out how: sharksunderattackcampaign.co.za
Find out how: sharksunderattackcampaign.co.za
A juvenile Indian Ocean humpback dolphin (Sousa plumbea) was found dead at Alkantstrand, Richards Bay on Saturday morning, entangled in shark nets.
Read more here: web.facebook.com/share/v/1Lqz...
Video credit: Abie Seedie
Read more here: web.facebook.com/share/v/1Lqz...
Video credit: Abie Seedie
February 17, 2026 at 10:10 AM
A juvenile Indian Ocean humpback dolphin (Sousa plumbea) was found dead at Alkantstrand, Richards Bay on Saturday morning, entangled in shark nets.
Read more here: web.facebook.com/share/v/1Lqz...
Video credit: Abie Seedie
Read more here: web.facebook.com/share/v/1Lqz...
Video credit: Abie Seedie
Sharks and rays are facing one of the fastest extinction crises of any vertebrate group on Earth, and Panama is leading the way for ocean conservation.
Pictured: Blue spotted ribbontail ray, Sodwana Bay - iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Image credit: Marc Thoresson
Read more: time.com/7362449/shar...
Pictured: Blue spotted ribbontail ray, Sodwana Bay - iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Image credit: Marc Thoresson
Read more: time.com/7362449/shar...
February 16, 2026 at 7:01 AM
Sharks and rays are facing one of the fastest extinction crises of any vertebrate group on Earth, and Panama is leading the way for ocean conservation.
Pictured: Blue spotted ribbontail ray, Sodwana Bay - iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Image credit: Marc Thoresson
Read more: time.com/7362449/shar...
Pictured: Blue spotted ribbontail ray, Sodwana Bay - iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Image credit: Marc Thoresson
Read more: time.com/7362449/shar...
Happy Valentine's Day from the Sharks Under Attack team 💙
We love all our sharks, rays, skates and chimaeras (ghost sharks), even if we're biased. We hope you love them too!
Share these cards with someone you think is fin-tastic 🦈
We love all our sharks, rays, skates and chimaeras (ghost sharks), even if we're biased. We hope you love them too!
Share these cards with someone you think is fin-tastic 🦈
February 14, 2026 at 6:11 AM
Happy Valentine's Day from the Sharks Under Attack team 💙
We love all our sharks, rays, skates and chimaeras (ghost sharks), even if we're biased. We hope you love them too!
Share these cards with someone you think is fin-tastic 🦈
We love all our sharks, rays, skates and chimaeras (ghost sharks), even if we're biased. We hope you love them too!
Share these cards with someone you think is fin-tastic 🦈
STUDY: Critical shark and ray habitats (ISRAs) in Western Indian Ocean largely unprotected
Read more here: news.mongabay.com/.../critical...
Full paper here: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Image credit: Vincent Kneefel / Ocean Image Bank
Read more here: news.mongabay.com/.../critical...
Full paper here: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Image credit: Vincent Kneefel / Ocean Image Bank
February 10, 2026 at 7:37 AM
STUDY: Critical shark and ray habitats (ISRAs) in Western Indian Ocean largely unprotected
Read more here: news.mongabay.com/.../critical...
Full paper here: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Image credit: Vincent Kneefel / Ocean Image Bank
Read more here: news.mongabay.com/.../critical...
Full paper here: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Image credit: Vincent Kneefel / Ocean Image Bank
The striped catshark, affectionately known as the pyjama shark, is endemic to the coastal waters of South Africa.
While classified by the IUCN as 'Least Concern', the striped catshark is still on the TOPS List as Protected.
Read more here: web.facebook.com/share/p/1GGR...
While classified by the IUCN as 'Least Concern', the striped catshark is still on the TOPS List as Protected.
Read more here: web.facebook.com/share/p/1GGR...
February 9, 2026 at 7:44 AM
The striped catshark, affectionately known as the pyjama shark, is endemic to the coastal waters of South Africa.
While classified by the IUCN as 'Least Concern', the striped catshark is still on the TOPS List as Protected.
Read more here: web.facebook.com/share/p/1GGR...
While classified by the IUCN as 'Least Concern', the striped catshark is still on the TOPS List as Protected.
Read more here: web.facebook.com/share/p/1GGR...
NEWS: Shark nets at R2bn Club Med development in KZN may threaten endangered species
Read more here: www.news24.com/.../scientis...
Image credit: Steve Benjamin / Animal Ocean
Read more here: www.news24.com/.../scientis...
Image credit: Steve Benjamin / Animal Ocean
February 6, 2026 at 10:50 AM
NEWS: Shark nets at R2bn Club Med development in KZN may threaten endangered species
Read more here: www.news24.com/.../scientis...
Image credit: Steve Benjamin / Animal Ocean
Read more here: www.news24.com/.../scientis...
Image credit: Steve Benjamin / Animal Ocean
The leopard catshark and striped catshark are two species of the genus Poroderma. These small, bottom-dwelling sharks are found only along South Africa’s coast, where they live on rocky reefs and among kelp beds.
Read more here: www.facebook.com/share/p/1KTG...
Read more here: www.facebook.com/share/p/1KTG...
February 5, 2026 at 6:06 AM
The leopard catshark and striped catshark are two species of the genus Poroderma. These small, bottom-dwelling sharks are found only along South Africa’s coast, where they live on rocky reefs and among kelp beds.
Read more here: www.facebook.com/share/p/1KTG...
Read more here: www.facebook.com/share/p/1KTG...
The tiger shark is a large, wide-ranging apex predator found in tropical coastal waters around the world.
As top predators, tiger sharks play an important role in shaping marine ecosystems.
Read more about the tiger shark here: web.facebook.com/share/p/1Xk1...
As top predators, tiger sharks play an important role in shaping marine ecosystems.
Read more about the tiger shark here: web.facebook.com/share/p/1Xk1...
January 29, 2026 at 6:33 AM
The tiger shark is a large, wide-ranging apex predator found in tropical coastal waters around the world.
As top predators, tiger sharks play an important role in shaping marine ecosystems.
Read more about the tiger shark here: web.facebook.com/share/p/1Xk1...
As top predators, tiger sharks play an important role in shaping marine ecosystems.
Read more about the tiger shark here: web.facebook.com/share/p/1Xk1...
The giant guitarfish is a large wedgefish found in shallow coastal waters of the southwest Indian Ocean and is the only species of its kind found in South Africa.
Its numbers have declined sharply over the past 40 years, particularly in Mozambique.
Red more here: web.facebook.com/share/p/189A...
Its numbers have declined sharply over the past 40 years, particularly in Mozambique.
Red more here: web.facebook.com/share/p/189A...
January 28, 2026 at 7:02 AM
The giant guitarfish is a large wedgefish found in shallow coastal waters of the southwest Indian Ocean and is the only species of its kind found in South Africa.
Its numbers have declined sharply over the past 40 years, particularly in Mozambique.
Red more here: web.facebook.com/share/p/189A...
Its numbers have declined sharply over the past 40 years, particularly in Mozambique.
Red more here: web.facebook.com/share/p/189A...
NEWS: New Research Highlights Glaring Gaps in Marine Protection for Sharks & Rays in the Western Indian Ocean
To access the full study, visit onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Images by Leigh de Necker & Devin Trull
To access the full study, visit onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Images by Leigh de Necker & Devin Trull
January 22, 2026 at 9:08 AM
NEWS: New Research Highlights Glaring Gaps in Marine Protection for Sharks & Rays in the Western Indian Ocean
To access the full study, visit onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Images by Leigh de Necker & Devin Trull
To access the full study, visit onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Images by Leigh de Necker & Devin Trull
A “lab-in-a-backpack” is helping stop illegal shark fin trade. Diego Cardeñosa’s fast, affordable test identifies protected fins, aiding inspections worldwide and securing CITES protection for dozens of species.
Read more: news.mongabay.com/2025/12/the-...
Read more: news.mongabay.com/2025/12/the-...
December 22, 2025 at 11:35 AM
A “lab-in-a-backpack” is helping stop illegal shark fin trade. Diego Cardeñosa’s fast, affordable test identifies protected fins, aiding inspections worldwide and securing CITES protection for dozens of species.
Read more: news.mongabay.com/2025/12/the-...
Read more: news.mongabay.com/2025/12/the-...
The flapnose houndshark is found only along South Africa’s east coast.
With a limited range and slow reproduction, it’s highly vulnerable - and its population is believed to be declining.
Read more: www.facebook.com/share/p/1BbF...
With a limited range and slow reproduction, it’s highly vulnerable - and its population is believed to be declining.
Read more: www.facebook.com/share/p/1BbF...
December 18, 2025 at 7:04 AM
The flapnose houndshark is found only along South Africa’s east coast.
With a limited range and slow reproduction, it’s highly vulnerable - and its population is believed to be declining.
Read more: www.facebook.com/share/p/1BbF...
With a limited range and slow reproduction, it’s highly vulnerable - and its population is believed to be declining.
Read more: www.facebook.com/share/p/1BbF...
White sharks are key apex predators along South Africa’s coast, but despite long-standing protection, they still face threats from the KZN bather protection programme, angling, longlines and illegal nets.
Their slow maturity and cross-border movements make them especially vulnerable.
Their slow maturity and cross-border movements make them especially vulnerable.
December 4, 2025 at 10:52 AM
White sharks are key apex predators along South Africa’s coast, but despite long-standing protection, they still face threats from the KZN bather protection programme, angling, longlines and illegal nets.
Their slow maturity and cross-border movements make them especially vulnerable.
Their slow maturity and cross-border movements make them especially vulnerable.
The Great Hammerhead Shark
TOPS: Endangered | IUCN: Critically Endangered
Rare in SA and mostly seen in KZN, this species is highly vulnerable to fishing and has very low survival after capture. With limited protection from MPAs and signs of decline, its loss threatens marine ecosystem balance.
TOPS: Endangered | IUCN: Critically Endangered
Rare in SA and mostly seen in KZN, this species is highly vulnerable to fishing and has very low survival after capture. With limited protection from MPAs and signs of decline, its loss threatens marine ecosystem balance.
November 26, 2025 at 6:55 AM
The Great Hammerhead Shark
TOPS: Endangered | IUCN: Critically Endangered
Rare in SA and mostly seen in KZN, this species is highly vulnerable to fishing and has very low survival after capture. With limited protection from MPAs and signs of decline, its loss threatens marine ecosystem balance.
TOPS: Endangered | IUCN: Critically Endangered
Rare in SA and mostly seen in KZN, this species is highly vulnerable to fishing and has very low survival after capture. With limited protection from MPAs and signs of decline, its loss threatens marine ecosystem balance.
Ornate Sleeper Ray
Endemic | TOPS: Critically Endangered | IUCN: Least Concern
Found only along South Africa’s east coast, this demersal species is vulnerable due to its limited range.
Learn more: www.facebook.com/share/p/1Jzs...
Endemic | TOPS: Critically Endangered | IUCN: Least Concern
Found only along South Africa’s east coast, this demersal species is vulnerable due to its limited range.
Learn more: www.facebook.com/share/p/1Jzs...
November 17, 2025 at 7:54 AM
Ornate Sleeper Ray
Endemic | TOPS: Critically Endangered | IUCN: Least Concern
Found only along South Africa’s east coast, this demersal species is vulnerable due to its limited range.
Learn more: www.facebook.com/share/p/1Jzs...
Endemic | TOPS: Critically Endangered | IUCN: Least Concern
Found only along South Africa’s east coast, this demersal species is vulnerable due to its limited range.
Learn more: www.facebook.com/share/p/1Jzs...
Once common along KZN’s coast, sawfish like the Largetooth and Green Sawfish have vanished from our waters.
But on 19 Sept 2025, a sawfish - believed to be a Largetooth - was discovered off the Eastern Cape coast. The last confirmed sighting? 26 years ago.
READ: www.facebook.com/share/p/1GhB...
But on 19 Sept 2025, a sawfish - believed to be a Largetooth - was discovered off the Eastern Cape coast. The last confirmed sighting? 26 years ago.
READ: www.facebook.com/share/p/1GhB...
November 13, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Once common along KZN’s coast, sawfish like the Largetooth and Green Sawfish have vanished from our waters.
But on 19 Sept 2025, a sawfish - believed to be a Largetooth - was discovered off the Eastern Cape coast. The last confirmed sighting? 26 years ago.
READ: www.facebook.com/share/p/1GhB...
But on 19 Sept 2025, a sawfish - believed to be a Largetooth - was discovered off the Eastern Cape coast. The last confirmed sighting? 26 years ago.
READ: www.facebook.com/share/p/1GhB...
PUBLIC NOTICE: KwaDukuza Municipality plans to install a 200m shark nets and 4 drumlines at Tinley Manor Beach.
Lethal methods like nets and drumlines kill sharks and other marine life, threatening biodiversity.
The DFFE is accepting public comments for 30 days.
www.facebook.com/share/v/19vf...
Lethal methods like nets and drumlines kill sharks and other marine life, threatening biodiversity.
The DFFE is accepting public comments for 30 days.
www.facebook.com/share/v/19vf...
November 5, 2025 at 9:04 AM
PUBLIC NOTICE: KwaDukuza Municipality plans to install a 200m shark nets and 4 drumlines at Tinley Manor Beach.
Lethal methods like nets and drumlines kill sharks and other marine life, threatening biodiversity.
The DFFE is accepting public comments for 30 days.
www.facebook.com/share/v/19vf...
Lethal methods like nets and drumlines kill sharks and other marine life, threatening biodiversity.
The DFFE is accepting public comments for 30 days.
www.facebook.com/share/v/19vf...
South Africa’s sharks and rays face growing threats from overfishing, habitat loss, and climate change.
The TOPS list helps protect them by classifying species by extinction risk and regulating how they’re used.
Learn more via our FB page: www.facebook.com/share/p/1ASw...
The TOPS list helps protect them by classifying species by extinction risk and regulating how they’re used.
Learn more via our FB page: www.facebook.com/share/p/1ASw...
October 31, 2025 at 7:15 AM
South Africa’s sharks and rays face growing threats from overfishing, habitat loss, and climate change.
The TOPS list helps protect them by classifying species by extinction risk and regulating how they’re used.
Learn more via our FB page: www.facebook.com/share/p/1ASw...
The TOPS list helps protect them by classifying species by extinction risk and regulating how they’re used.
Learn more via our FB page: www.facebook.com/share/p/1ASw...
INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Rare thresher sharks spotted off Negros Occidental, Philippines.
Seen on 25 October at Sipaway Island MPA, these globally rare sharks (Alopias spp.) are protected under Philippine law.
Read more about this rare encounter here: newsinfo.inquirer.net/2130221/grou...
Seen on 25 October at Sipaway Island MPA, these globally rare sharks (Alopias spp.) are protected under Philippine law.
Read more about this rare encounter here: newsinfo.inquirer.net/2130221/grou...
October 28, 2025 at 8:30 AM
INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Rare thresher sharks spotted off Negros Occidental, Philippines.
Seen on 25 October at Sipaway Island MPA, these globally rare sharks (Alopias spp.) are protected under Philippine law.
Read more about this rare encounter here: newsinfo.inquirer.net/2130221/grou...
Seen on 25 October at Sipaway Island MPA, these globally rare sharks (Alopias spp.) are protected under Philippine law.
Read more about this rare encounter here: newsinfo.inquirer.net/2130221/grou...
NEWS: The Maldives has announced it will allow gulper shark fishing from November 2025.
Gulper sharks are endangered, slow to recover and vital to ocean health.
Their loss could destabilise marine ecosystems crucial to Maldivian fisheries and food security.
Learn more: only.one/act/save-the...
Gulper sharks are endangered, slow to recover and vital to ocean health.
Their loss could destabilise marine ecosystems crucial to Maldivian fisheries and food security.
Learn more: only.one/act/save-the...
October 24, 2025 at 7:31 AM
NEWS: The Maldives has announced it will allow gulper shark fishing from November 2025.
Gulper sharks are endangered, slow to recover and vital to ocean health.
Their loss could destabilise marine ecosystems crucial to Maldivian fisheries and food security.
Learn more: only.one/act/save-the...
Gulper sharks are endangered, slow to recover and vital to ocean health.
Their loss could destabilise marine ecosystems crucial to Maldivian fisheries and food security.
Learn more: only.one/act/save-the...
PUBLIC NOTICE: KwaDukuza Municipality has applied to install shark nets and drumlines at Tinley Manor Beach on KZN’s North Coast.
These lethal measures pose risks to sharks, dolphins, and turtles - prompting calls for ethical, non-lethal alternatives.
Read More: fb.watch/CUkS6XBERS/
These lethal measures pose risks to sharks, dolphins, and turtles - prompting calls for ethical, non-lethal alternatives.
Read More: fb.watch/CUkS6XBERS/
October 22, 2025 at 8:46 AM
PUBLIC NOTICE: KwaDukuza Municipality has applied to install shark nets and drumlines at Tinley Manor Beach on KZN’s North Coast.
These lethal measures pose risks to sharks, dolphins, and turtles - prompting calls for ethical, non-lethal alternatives.
Read More: fb.watch/CUkS6XBERS/
These lethal measures pose risks to sharks, dolphins, and turtles - prompting calls for ethical, non-lethal alternatives.
Read More: fb.watch/CUkS6XBERS/
This week we celebrate National Marine Week!
SA’s coastline hosts around 200 species of sharks and rays, many under threat from overfishing and habitat loss.
Marine Protected Areas provide safe havens for these species to recover, breed, and thrive.
SA’s coastline hosts around 200 species of sharks and rays, many under threat from overfishing and habitat loss.
Marine Protected Areas provide safe havens for these species to recover, breed, and thrive.
October 9, 2025 at 8:28 AM
This week we celebrate National Marine Week!
SA’s coastline hosts around 200 species of sharks and rays, many under threat from overfishing and habitat loss.
Marine Protected Areas provide safe havens for these species to recover, breed, and thrive.
SA’s coastline hosts around 200 species of sharks and rays, many under threat from overfishing and habitat loss.
Marine Protected Areas provide safe havens for these species to recover, breed, and thrive.
BREAKING NEWS: Species thought to be locally extinct in South Africa found on Eastern Cape beach.
On 19 Sept, marine history was made: a sawfish, thought locally extinct in SA, washed up near the Birah River Mouth, EC.
READ MORE: web.facebook.com/share/p/172H...
📷: Kevin Cole & Mike Vincent
On 19 Sept, marine history was made: a sawfish, thought locally extinct in SA, washed up near the Birah River Mouth, EC.
READ MORE: web.facebook.com/share/p/172H...
📷: Kevin Cole & Mike Vincent
September 22, 2025 at 1:52 PM
BREAKING NEWS: Species thought to be locally extinct in South Africa found on Eastern Cape beach.
On 19 Sept, marine history was made: a sawfish, thought locally extinct in SA, washed up near the Birah River Mouth, EC.
READ MORE: web.facebook.com/share/p/172H...
📷: Kevin Cole & Mike Vincent
On 19 Sept, marine history was made: a sawfish, thought locally extinct in SA, washed up near the Birah River Mouth, EC.
READ MORE: web.facebook.com/share/p/172H...
📷: Kevin Cole & Mike Vincent
NEWS: Recent studies have found that much of the shark meat sold in the United States comes from endangered species.
Research shows the majority of shark products are mislabeled or so vaguely described that buyers have no idea what they are eating.
READ MORE: www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Research shows the majority of shark products are mislabeled or so vaguely described that buyers have no idea what they are eating.
READ MORE: www.theguardian.com/environment/...
September 16, 2025 at 11:27 AM
NEWS: Recent studies have found that much of the shark meat sold in the United States comes from endangered species.
Research shows the majority of shark products are mislabeled or so vaguely described that buyers have no idea what they are eating.
READ MORE: www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Research shows the majority of shark products are mislabeled or so vaguely described that buyers have no idea what they are eating.
READ MORE: www.theguardian.com/environment/...
CHIMAERAS 👻🦈
Chimaeras, or “ghost sharks,” are close shark relatives. Unlike sharks, their jaws are fused to their skull, and as they mature, they lose their denticles - leaving their skin smooth and rubbery.
Chimaeras, or “ghost sharks,” are close shark relatives. Unlike sharks, their jaws are fused to their skull, and as they mature, they lose their denticles - leaving their skin smooth and rubbery.
September 8, 2025 at 8:27 AM
CHIMAERAS 👻🦈
Chimaeras, or “ghost sharks,” are close shark relatives. Unlike sharks, their jaws are fused to their skull, and as they mature, they lose their denticles - leaving their skin smooth and rubbery.
Chimaeras, or “ghost sharks,” are close shark relatives. Unlike sharks, their jaws are fused to their skull, and as they mature, they lose their denticles - leaving their skin smooth and rubbery.