Dr Sara Andreotti, a marine biologist and lecturer at Stellenbosch University, will present a talk about great white sharks at the Franschhoek Theatre at 18:30 next Thursday (18 October).
Forming part of the new SmallTalX series, presented in partnership with the Franschhoek Theatre, it is entitled “Peaceful Coexistence with Sharks: A Dive into Shark Research and Conservation”.
The presentation will include research footage showing remarkable shark behaviour as well as human-shark interactions in open water.
Andreotti has conducted pioneering photographic and genetic research on the white shark population in South African waters. Her partnership with Michael Rutzen has resulted in significant advances in understanding white shark behaviour in the wild as well.
She is one of the co-inventors of the SharkSafe Barrier, a remarkable eco-friendly solution to the problem of shark nets.
These anchored barriers exploit sharks sensitivity to electrical fields, while allowing all other marine life to pass by easily.
Over time the SharkSafe Barrier even becomes part of the marine life habitat, in contrast to traditional shark nets, which not only indiscriminately kill sharks and other marine life, but are also expensive to maintain.
The talk will also include statistics on the current population dynamics of sharks on the SA coast as well as fascinating accounts of shark behaviour.
- Limited tickets cost R250 and include a glass of wine. Book your place by sending an email to hello@franschhoektheatre.co.za, or visiting franschhoektheatre.co.za. For further details, contact Leila Shirley on 073 421 8879.
