White Shark Trust

The South African based White Shark Trust is “a non-profit organization founded in 2002 to promote and conduct research, education and conservation projects on the endangered Great White Shark”

It is the brain child of Michael Scholl (founder and trustee) who has been conducting research on Great White Sharks since 1997.

The goals of the White Shark Trust are as follows:

1. To establish a fund in the Republic of South Africa for the purpose of receiving grants and donations from international sources as well as sources within the Republic of South Africa;

2. To manage and disburse such funds in the furtherance of the objectives of the Trust;

3. To promote dialogue between various research, conservation, education and Government bodies concerned with management, research, conservation and education concerning the Great White Sharks (Carcharodon carcharias);

4. To assist in providing relevant advice on the management of the Great White Sharks (Carcharodon carcharias);

5. To obtain the support for the objectives of the White Shark Trust from local residents living around concentration hotspots for the Great White Sharks (Carcharodon carcharias), including Mossel Bay, Dyer Island / Gansbaai and False Bay in particular;

6. To obtain the support for the objectives of the Trust from the established tourism industry involved with the Great White Sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) located at Mossel Bay, Dyer Island / Gansbaai and False Bay in particular;

7. To ensure that effective action is taken in all matters affecting the welfare and preservation of the Great White Sharks (Carcharodon carcharias);

8. To promote educational opportunities for the general public, schools and the tourism industry;

9. To conduct and support scientific research projects and field expeditions with regards to the Great White Sharks (Carcharodon carcharias).”

In connection with other like-minded South African organizations, the work of the White Shark Trust is of primary importance in order to better understand the critical role that White Sharks play in balancing the marine environment. Without their joint efforts we are unable to identify the need for better shark protection.