Below is data collected from The Great Shark Project throughout 2025, including the total number of shark sightings recorded each month and the maximum number of individuals from different marine species observed during a single trip each month.
If 2025 has shown us anything, it’s that the ocean is always evolving.
Data collected through shark monitoring on The Great Shark Project recorded hundreds of shark sightings throughout the year, with activity building steadily towards the final months. Alongside frequent bronze whaler sharks, the team also recorded sightings of great whites, sevengill cow sharks, Cape fur seals, dolphins, whales, and orcas.
These patterns highlight the shark predator dynamics researchers have been observing along the South African coastline. The presence of orcas in recent years has influenced shark behaviour patterns, particularly for great whites. While sightings of some species fluctuate, others quickly fill the ecological space, demonstrating the constant balance of marine predator interactions. With fewer great whites, a boom in bronze whaler sharks is being observed, as well as huge numbers of Cape fur seals.
For those taking part in shark conservation volunteering, these changes aren’t just statistics. Volunteers join real volunteer marine research, assisting with shark spotting, recording sightings, and contributing to long-term monitoring efforts that support shark conservation in South Africa.
Some days bring incredible wildlife encounters, while others remind us that the ocean doesn’t run on a schedule. Either way, every trip contributes to a growing dataset and offers one of the most immersive ocean conservation experiences available. On The Great Shark Project, you’re not just seeing sharks, you’re helping uncover the story behind them, and every shark you see helps unlock a deeper understanding of the ocean.
