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International Shark Awareness Day
South African Institute for Aquatic BiodiversityRef: https://saiab.ac.za/international-shark-awareness-day/
Official source
Source domain: saiab.ac.za
Collected on 28 July 2026
Always confirm details on the official source before acting.
What this means
This document is a news post on the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (NRF-SAIAB) website for International Shark Awareness Day. It states that International Shark Awareness Day is celebrated every year on 14 July and focuses on dispelling negative myths while highlighting shark and ray conservation, advocacy, and education. It provides South Africa-specific figures (191 species in South African waters, including 13 found nowhere else; 43% threatened with extinction) and describes how NRF-SAIAB’s Acoustic Tracking Array Platform (ATAP) supports improved management by collecting presence/absence data, including monitoring more than 1,300 individuals from 35 species to date.
Facts
Reference
https://saiab.ac.za/international-shark-awareness-day/
Key Takeaways
- International Shark Awareness Day celebrated annually on 14 July
- NRF-SAIAB news post dated July 28, 2026
- Up to one third of shark and ray species threatened globally
- South Africa has 191 shark and ray species in its waters
- 13 shark and ray species found nowhere else on Earth
- 43% of South Africa’s shark and ray species threatened with extinction
- NRF-SAIAB ATAP collects presence/absence data for shark and ray management
- ATAP data collected on 1300+ individuals from 35 species
- 28 species currently being monitored (17 sharks, 10 rays, 1 skate)
- South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB)
- National Research Foundation (NRF)
- NRF-SAIAB Acoustic Tracking Array Platform (ATAP)
- Mbali Ngulube
- The Sharks (provincial rugby team)
Dates
Closing Date
28 July 2026