Shark Route Meet the specialists
Living shark legends
The shark route has attracted the services of Southern Africa’s celebrated shark divers, scientists, photographers and conservationists. The people who have dedicated their lives to Southern Africa’s wonderous sharks. At each stop of the Shark Route, you will spend an insightful evening with a dedicated specialist. Evenings will consist of a short presentation, a dinner and informal after dinner drinks where all your shark questions can be answered by the resident specialist.
Alison Kock
Shark Scientist
Shark scientist, Alison established herself as one of South Africa’s preeminent shark biologists following the spate of great white shark attacks in Cape Town. Confronted with the possibility of shark nets and culling Alison helped develop the successful ‘shark spotters program’ to keep swimmers safe from sharks.
Chris and Monique Fallows
Shark Photographers
Seal Island, False Bay is home to the breaching Great White Sharks, stars of films, such as, the Air Jaws series and Planet Earth. The films, posters, photographs of flying sharks that emanat from this unique Island can be credited to the knowledge and passion of shark ambassador, Chris Fallows.
Morne Hardenburg
Underwater Cameraman
Ever wondered about the guys on the other side of the camera? Morne Hardenburg has stared down the gullets of more great whites than anyone else, with only his trusty video camera to protect himself. His work brought us films such as; Sharkman, Great white shark – a living legend and Shark night.
Andre Hartman
The Sharkman
The most famous of South Africa’s shark divers, Andre pushed all the limits when he pioneered free diving with the Great White shark. Going where others feared, his feats are cemented in history by the likes of Discovery, National Geographic and BBC. Andre is South Africa’s original and most charismatic Sharkman.
Ryan Johnson
Shark Scientist
Ryan breaks the mould of many shark scientists with his willingness and ability to get up close and personal with some of the world’s most feared sharks. His unique research has been featured extensively on documentaries such as National Geographic’s Sharkville.
Fiona Ayerst
Underwater Photographer
Fiona is one of Africa’s most celebrated and experienced scuba divers and underwater photographers. The Fuji Film photographer of the year (2006), passion for sharks is evident in her work, with her artistry capturing many iconic shark photographs that adorned magazines such as Diver and Submerge.
Enrico Gennari
Shark Scientist
An innovating shark scientist based in Mossel Bay. Enrico Gennari’s research into the thermal-physioecology of the great white sharks has caught the attention of the world and in 2010 was featured on the Channel 4 series – Inside Nature’s Giants.
Matt Dickens
Shark Scientist
Dr. Matt Dickens has been at the forefront of many of the top shark research collaboration efforts initiated in South Africa. Based in Port Elizabeth, he has published academic papers on shark species such as the tiger, great white and ragged tooth sharks in many of the worlds most esteemed journals
Mike Fraiser
Shark Diver
One of South Africa’s most passionate and experienced scuba divers. Mike resigned from corporate life to spend a life underwater. For the past 10 years, he has dived daily the coast of South Africa.Recently he made international news following a dive mishap that resulted in an 8 hour swim to the mainland!
Mark Addison
Shark Diver
Mark, a maverick of the shark world, pioneered Aliwal shoals baited tiger shark dive and introduced the world to the Sardine Run. Through their company, Blue Wilderness, the Addison’s have hosted over 300 shark filming projects including BBC’s Blue Planet, Planet Earth and The Greatest Shoal on Earth.
Dr Sheldon Dudley
Shark Scientist
Chief scientists at Natal Sharks board, Dr. Dudley has been instrumental in ensuring that the impact of bather protection nets on sharks populations is openly assessed through vigorous scientific standards.
Geremy Cliff
Shark Scientist
As head scientist at the Natal Sharks Board, Geremy runs South Africa’s shark attack file, where his duty is to archive all shark attacks on humans. His work also broaches the ecological impact of the shark netting program on populations of sharks and other marine species.
Grant Smith
Shark Conservationist
As a young dive instructor on the Protea Banks, Grant was exposed early to the horrors of commercial shark fishing. He went on to found SHARKLIFE, South Africa’s most recognised and active shark conservation society.