It’s hands-on science, a bit of adventure, and a reminder of how dynamic our oceans really are.

By comparing day vs. night sampling, our students learned how diel patterns influence fish behaviour, movement, and catch rates — an important skill for understanding marine biodiversity and designing effective research methods. 🌊🎣

Others rest or retreat, meaning the species you encounter at night can differ dramatically from what you see during the day.

Night fishing isn’t just a change in atmosphere; it reveals a completely different side of the ecosystem. Many species become more active after sunset, moving closer to the surface to feed or taking advantage of cooler temperatures and low light to hunt.

We strongly support the message of this paper and the need for a broader, integrated approach to marine conservation. Research like this strengthens the foundation of the work we do here.

🔗 Read the full paper: doi.org/10.1111/cobi...

At Oceans Research Institute, our daily work with the elasmobranchs of Mossel Bay — through different types of surveys and long-term student training — consistently shows that conservation cannot be approached through a single lens.
The threats are interconnected.
The solutions must be too.

The research highlights how marine species — from elasmobranchs and marine mammals to turtles and seabirds — are increasingly impacted by multiple, overlapping pressures, including drifting longlines, fixed fishing gear, temperature extremes, and plastic pollution.

We’re thrilled to have them with us and can’t wait to share more of the work, learning, and adventure ahead. Welcome to the Oceans Research Institute family! 🌟🐚🦈🤍

@flindersuniversity

#FlindersUniversity #Flinders #FlindersScience #FlindersStudents
#MarineScience #Fieldwork #MarineBiology

From intertidal invertebrate surveys, to a great white shark biodiversity assessment, to releasing a rehabilitated seal pup alongside SMART, and even collecting egg cases along our beaches — they’ve experienced a full spectrum of marine science in just one day.

Such a tiny detail, but such a cool one you only catch when you stop and look closely. These gentle drifters are usually harmless to touch, and a quiet reminder to slow down and enjoy the little wonders the sea shares with us. 🌊✨

Encounters like this mean so much, especially on our student’s last day. But they’re also a reminder of how rare these dolphins are. Sousa plumbea is endangered, with fewer than 500 individuals estimated along the South African coast, and many local populations sitting below 200.

Moments like this remind us why we spend so much time out here: the thrill of discovery, contributing to science, and the chance to see South Africa’s lesser-known species up close.🇿🇦

#OceansResearchInstitute #SharkScience #MarineBiology #FieldResearch #Elasmobranchs #MosselBay

They’re not out to get you. They’re not mindless hunters.
They’re part of a delicate ocean balance — and deserve understanding, not fear.

At Oceans Research Institute, we work to replace fear with knowledge, and myths with science. 🌊

#OceansResearchInstitute #SharkAwareness #MarineScience

It’s not just about catching fish — it’s about learning how to study and protect them. 💙

#MarineScience #FieldSkills #OceansResearch #SustainableFishing #StudentTraining #MarineBiology

We explore baited remote underwater videos to observe fish without capture, and fishing methods to learn about identification, handling, and the ethics of catch and release. These skills teach our students how data is collected responsibly and how science and sustainability go hand in hand.