Issue 99 - August 2023
Discover White Charks & More in 3D: Cutting-Edge, Interactive Shark and Ray Displays Bring The Ocean to Life
Contributed by Aurélie Grospiron
New interactive models on the Save Our Seas Foundation’s (SOSF’s) World of Sharks website, and for the SOSF Shark Education Centre’s technology for young learners, bring to life the evolution and adaptions of sharks and rays – in 3D!
The Save Our Seas Foundation (SOSF) is bringing sharks to life, thanks to interactive 3D models that will be available across various platforms. Visitors to the World of Sharks website can investigate the biology and evolution of sharks and rays by rotating first-of-their-kind models online at the SOSF’s flagship information repository. Young South African learners will dive into unravelling the mysteries of different shark species and their lives on the SOSF Shark Education Centre’s website.

Have you ever wondered how many kinds of sharks there are? Which is the biggest shark or the fastest? For these answers and lots more, the Save Our Seas Foundation’s (SOSF’s) World of Sharks website is the one-stop shop for shark information. Designed to provide scientifically accurate information in an engaging format, World of Sharks is where you can find infographics, podcast episodes, species cards, and topic pages covering everything you’ve ever wanted to know about sharks and rays.
“We wanted World of Sharks to be the ultimate shark FAQ – created to answer all the questions people want to ask about sharks and rays,” says SOSF CEO Dr James Lea. “Through engaging and accessible content, we hope to grow a repository of fascinating shark facts that people can trust.”
And now, with this latest addition, the website will host interactive 3D white shark and manta ray models designed by the Digital Life Project at the University of Massachusetts (UMASS) in collaboration with the SOSF.
“I was really wanting to create something 3D and interactive, where visitors to the World of Sharks can explore in an engaging way that highlights the unique physiology and evolution of sharks and rays and demystifies their unique adaptations,” explains Jade Schultz, content manager for the SOSF.
The Digital Life team, led by Professor Duncan Irschick, in collaboration with CG artist Johnson Martin and UMASS Amherst undergraduates Emma Hsiao and Braedon Fedderson, used media provided by the SOSF and data and open-access images to reconstruct these 3D shark species.
The interactive biology models enable website users to learn about different elements of shark and ray physiology. For instance, just allowing the cursor to hover over key features will bring up information on everything from how manta rays filter feed and why they are under threat to facts about how scientists use sharks’ dorsal fins to identify individuals in a population. The 3D models are open access, and free to view and download for non-profit use.
Although concerted efforts by researchers and educators are turning the tide for sharks and rays, significant challenges remain. More than one-third of these species are under threat of extinction, which means we still have much work to do to change misconceptions, banish misinformation and empower people with useful information so that they can also participate in conservation.
“The key to all our understanding of sharks – why they do what they do and what is needed to help them recover – relies on there being a foundation of basic, reliable life history information,” says Dr Lea.
The SOSF has a strong legacy of using communication and storytelling to do this, but this most recent commission with innovators from UMASS harnesses the power of creative design and technological advancement. The World of Sharks makes the reach for this kind of information global, but the SOSF is also excited to present very detailed and accurate information at the local scale.
Young visitors to the SOSF Shark Education Centre (SOSF-SEC) in Cape Town, South Africa, have an incredible opportunity to explore the rocky shores nearby in the Dalebrook marine protected area. This kind of in-person experience is irreplaceable, but to dive deeper into the reaches offshore requires technological wizardry and creative flair. A new website for the SOSF-SEC will host a diversity of 3D sharks that are found in False Bay, the largest bay in southern Africa. Children who would never otherwise dip below the waves to see these sharks will now be able to watch, for example, an endemic (found nowhere else in the world) catshark curl into a defensive doughnut-shape. Whether on iPads in the centre or at home online, learners can marvel at the most amazing feats of the sharks that live on their doorstep. Simulating behaviours like spyhopping in white sharks and demonstrating how sharks move in their environment give children an immersive experience, regardless of whether they have access to the ocean.
Still in the throes of the brainstorming and development that will expand these tools to their full potential, the director of the SOSF-SEC, Dr Clova Mabin, enthuses, “We also think that it might be possible to use the tools as a teaching aid in the classroom, to simulate field work. Learners could view them on the iPads and potentially take various measurements, comparing them across the different species.”
About the Save Our Seas Foundation
Founded in Geneva, Switzerland, in 2003, the Save Our Seas Foundation (SOSF) is a philanthropic organisation whose ultimate goal is to create a legacy of securing the health and sustainability of our oceans, and the communities that depend on them, for generations to come.
Its support for research, conservation and education projects worldwide focuses on endangered sharks, rays and skates. Three permanent SOSF research and education centres reinforce its actions in Seychelles, South Africa and the USA.
About the SOSF Shark Education Centre
Perched on the wave-swept shore at Kalk Bay in False Bay, South Africa, the Save Our Seas Foundation Shark Education Centre (SOSF-SEC) is an environmental education centre with a big blue heart that focuses on interactive experiences in local marine ecosystems, including everything you have ever wanted to know about sharks. The SOSF-SEC is at the heart of the foundation’s activities in South Africa and has been instrumental in the development of the new interactive 3D models.
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Feature Destination
SEVENSEAS Travel Magazine – August 2023 – Issue 99

Feature Destination
Peru Passes Important Ocean Protection Law to Protect The First Five Nautical Miles at Sea
The approval of the law recognizing ancestral and artisanal fishing is a historic milestone that guarantees the protection of this zone, benefiting over 50,000 artisanal fishermen who provide 80% of the fish that feeds the Peruvian population. Read more…
Hiking Through History: How Can You Discover Peru’s Past on Foot?
Peru is an ancient country with a complex history. The Incan Empire, who lived here from around 1200 AD, played a vital role in the country’s development until it was conquered by the Spanish in the 1500s. Read more…
Rare Peruvian Diving-Petrels Nesting on Chañaral Island Following Decades of Absence
Peruvian Diving-petrels (known locally as “yuncos”) are small ground-nesting seabirds endemic to the Humboldt Current System that flows along the western coast of South America. Read more…
UNESCO Designates 11 New Biosphere Reserves
UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme has approved the designation of 10 new biospheres reserves in 9 countries, and one transboundary biosphere reserve across 2 countries. With these new designations, the World Network now totals 748 sites in 134 countries, including 23 transboundary sites. Read more…
NEWSROOM
Blue Movement Directory: A New, Updated, Geo-Map-Based Guide Empowering Ocean Action Worldwide
Blue Frontier, the nationally recognized nonprofit organization founded in 2003 and known as “The Voice for Ocean Action,” is proud to announce the launch of its newly updated, revised and geo-map-based Blue Movement Directory. Read more…
Nice Dive & Trips To Madagascar: Explore Nosy Be and Save Endangered Lemurs
Premier tour agency based in Vienna, Austria, NiCe Dive & Trips GmbH has launched an exclusive travel to the captivating archipelago of Nosy Be, Madagascar from the 25th of September to the 4th of October 2023. Read more…
Curtin University’s Prof. Robert McCauley Honored as Top Marine Scientist for Pioneering Whale Song Research
A pioneering marine scientist, whose dedication has contributed to a greater understanding of the secret life of whales through their song, has today been honoured among Australia’s top marine scientists. Read more…
Novel Research Takes Marine Conservation Tools to a New Dimension
We hope that our findings will spark a broader discussion about the urgency to leverage any and all credible data to better understand and mitigate the threats posed to leatherbacks by fisheries. The tool presents an opportunity to spark dialogue about sea turtle conservation and to inform efforts to reduce fisheries impacts. Read more…
Mindful Conservation: Why We Need a New Respect for Nature
As a biologist, I am trained to believe that data is everything. I have collected data and published scientific articles for more than 25 years. But while scientific data certainly is important to underpin the need to protect landscapes, to create protected areas and to restore biodiversity, it’s just one aspect of how we can work towards safeguarding nature. Read more…
The Most Definitive List of The World’s Best Beaches Ever Created Is Released
The World’s 50 Best Beaches, Presented By Banana Boat, has released a new list of the best beaches in the world. The list is a collaboration with over 750 of the world’s leading travel influencers and professionals, including many of the biggest names in travel such as Jyo Shankar, Pilot Madeleine, Dame Traveler and others. Read more…
Discover White Charks & More in 3D: Cutting-Edge, Interactive Shark and Ray Displays Bring The Ocean to Life
The Save Our Seas Foundation (SOSF) is bringing sharks to life, thanks to interactive 3D models that will be available across various platforms. Visitors to the World of Sharks website can investigate the biology and evolution of sharks and rays by rotating first-of-their-kind models online at the SOSF’s flagship information repository. Read more…
SAY GOODBYE TO LIDS FOR GOOD: ChoosePlanetA Launches Ground-Breaking First Single-use Paper Cup
The unique and patented paper cup comes with an integrated top flap that easily folds and locks into place which does away with the traditional use of plastic lids. Made from a bio-based, 100% certified home compostable paper, it is also free from PE (Polyethylene) coating. Read more…
The Reef-World Foundation is a Winner of The Escape 100: Awards for The Top Purpose-Led Organisations to Work At
James Greenhalgh, Digital Strategy Manager at The Reef-World Foundation, commented: “The Reef-World Foundation is a phenomenal place to work where everyone’s contribution is valued, and our team is able to punch well above our weight in terms of conservation impact. Read more…
The World’s First App Store to Lead The Fight Against Climate Change
Greenly, the leading carbon accounting and management platform, announced today the launch of The Climate App Store, the world’s first app store focused on providing tools to measure and reduce users’ carbon footprints. Read more…
MSU Researchers Offer Enhanced Definition of ‘Climate-Smart Forestry’
Over the last few decades, forests have become an increasingly important focus of international investment, in efforts to promote change in global deforestation and degradation trends, and as a means to reduce and remove atmospheric greenhouse gases (GHG). Read more…
How We Created the Hottest Global Average Temperature Day and What to Do About It
July 3rd was the hottest day recorded as a global average of temperatures taken at hundreds of sites worldwide. The worldwide average for that day was 62.62 degrees Fahrenheit. The record stood one day until July 4th, which was even hotter at 62.92 degrees. Read more…
Schmidt Marine Technology Partners Announces Recipients of $3.5 Million Global Sustainable Fisheries Initiative
Schmidt Marine Technology Partners, a program of the Schmidt Family Foundation, has awarded $3.5 million in grants to ten organizations and universities in seven countries for the development of new tools and innovations that will improve the sustainability of global fisheries, the program announced today. Read more…
WeWhale Launches Merchandise Collection, with 100% of The Profits Going Directly to Whale & Dolphin Protection Projects
The whale and dolphin projects being supported are of vital importance. Among them is the development of an innovative system that helps prevent collisions between vessels and cetaceans, as well as the creation of a sanctuary where captured marine mammals can be released and returned to their natural home. Read more…
SEVENSEAS Beach Cleanup & Coral Restoration Events in Marine Protected Areas
In July 2023, SEVENSEAS Media conducted two impactful events in Krabi, Thailand. The Monthly Beach Cleanup Event at Ao Sew Beach saw enthusiastic volunteers remove a staggering 150.6 kilograms of trash, underscoring the pressing issue of marine pollution and the significance of sustainable practices like reducing, reusing, and recycling waste. The organization stressed the importance of proper waste management to protect coastal ecosystems.
Meanwhile, in the face of an unexpected storm, SEVENSEAS Media’s Coral Nursery & Restoration team demonstrated unwavering dedication, rescuing and relocating 75 corals to safer locations, bolstering their chances of survival and growth. The team outlined a comprehensive plan for continued coral recovery missions and data collection efforts throughout the year. The recent storm served as a stark reminder of the urgency to safeguard coral reefs from climate change impacts. We would like to express our gratitude for the support received from individuals and communities in this conservation community. We would not be able to do it without your support. You can make a tax-deductible donation here to keep our publications and Thailand Cleanup Project afloat.
You can either make a direct financial contribution to SEVENSEAS Media through The Ocean Foundation website or connect us with potential donors by sending an email to Giacomo Abrusci, our Editor-in-Chief.
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Since 2004, SEVENSEAS Media has fostered an informal and non-partisan platform to promote understanding of key issues and challenges while building partnerships across an increasingly diverse group of marine conservation professionals and students.
Our mission is to promote communication and build partnerships across the global marine community and to identify and address gaps in the community’s work. SEVENSEAS Media achieves this through multimedia promotion and partnerships. The community consists of a diverse and growing group of participants, including non-governmental organizations, government agencies, foundations, bilateral and multilateral agencies, fellowship programs, independent consultants, and academia/students.
If you are interested in contributing or getting involved, email us Here.
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Clean Up Events & Coral Restoration
SEVENSEAS Media Coral Nursery & Restoration Activity Update: July 2023
Amidst an unexpected storm, our diving team persists, rescuing and relocating corals to safer nurseries while forging ahead with essential data collection for the preservation of marine life in Krabi Thailand.



This month, our coral nursery and restoration team recently commenced a mission to rescue and relocate corals in the face of adversity. Despite facing unforeseen challenges, the team demonstrated unwavering dedication and commitment to safeguarding these fragile ecosystems.
During a routine visit to the nursery, the team found themselves caught in the clutches of an unexpected storm, leaving them stranded for nearly four hours. Despite the adversity, their passion for conservation never wavered. With unyielding determination, they rescued a total of 75 corals from the previous nurseries and relocated them to new, safer havens at deeper locations. The efforts made during this critical mission are expected to increase the corals’ chances of survival and growth.
Undeterred by the challenges faced, our team has laid out a comprehensive plan to continue its mission throughout the year. Starting immediately, they will venture out twice a week until December 2023, combining coral recovery missions with essential data collection efforts.
As the project unfolds, more updates will be provided, shedding light on the progress made, the challenges overcome, and the discoveries unearthed through their rigorous scientific data collection. Rest assured, we will keep our marine community and the public informed about our mission to preserve and restore our invaluable coral ecosystems.
We would like to express our gratitude for all support received from individuals, organizations, and communities alike. Without this collective backing, such conservation efforts would not be possible. Every contribution, whether big or small, has played an instrumental role in our success so far.












In light of the recent storm’s impact, the next nursery outing will see a slight shift in focus. Instead of planting new corals, the team will prioritize the collection and regrouping of survivors, salvaging them from the damage caused by the freak storm. The decision to establish a new nursery at a deeper location is a strategic measure aimed at bolstering the corals’ resilience against future storms.
With a notable absence of storms of this magnitude for over five years, this event serves as a stark reminder of the increasing unpredictability of weather patterns and the urgent need to safeguard our coral reefs from the impacts of climate change.
Stay tuned for more updates, data insights, and stories of resilience as we continue our inspiring journey to save and revitalize the reef in Krabi. Your continued support will make all the difference in this race against time to protect one of Earth’s most precious ecosystems.
Note: The above information is based on the latest update from SEVENSEAS Media Coral Nursery & Restoration activities in July 2023. Further developments and updates will be shared once available.

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Clean Up Events & Coral Restoration
SEVENSEAS Media Beach Cleanup Event from July 28, 2023
A Total of 150.6 Kilograms of Trash Removed, Highlighting the Importance of Sustainable Practices



Krabi, Thailand, witnessed another successful beach cleanup event organized by SEVENSEAS Media on July 28, 2023. With the breathtaking backdrop of Ao Sew, volunteers joined forces to combat the pressing issue of marine pollution and its devastating impact on our oceans.
Under the scorching sun and amidst the soothing waves, our volunteers collected an impressive 150.6 kilograms of trash from this seemingly small beach. The amount is truly alarming, reflecting the scale of the marine pollution crisis. However, it also showcases the unwavering commitment of individuals who strive to protect our coastal ecosystems.
The collected debris was segregated, with 19 kilograms earmarked for recycling—a testament to the potential of converting waste into valuable resources. A total of 27 bags were used to store the collected trash, symbolizing the sheer volume of litter that relentlessly finds its way onto our pristine shores.








SEVENSEAS Media understands that the ultimate solution to marine pollution lies in tackling the problem at its source. While beach cleanups play a crucial role in mitigating immediate impacts, the key to long-term change lies in reducing waste production and adopting sustainable practices.
Individuals can make a significant difference by embracing the three R’s: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. By being mindful of our consumption habits and opting for eco-friendly alternatives, we can minimize the generation of waste that often ends up in our oceans. Reusing items wherever possible and recycling materials that can be repurposed help close the loop and decrease the burden on our environment.
It is also important to ensure that the waste we do produce is disposed of correctly. Implementing proper waste management systems, supporting recycling initiatives, and promoting composting can go a long way in diverting trash from entering our seas.
Our monthly beach cleanup serves as a reminder that the fight against marine pollution is ongoing, and our collective efforts can drive positive change. The beauty of Ao Sew, Krabi, and countless other coastal treasures around the world depends on our commitment to protecting them.
Be a part of SEVENSEAS Media’s Beach Cleanup in Krabi, Thailand, and help combat marine pollution. Join us to remove tons of trash from the beach and make a powerful impact on our environment. The date of the event will be announced on our Facebook Page. If you can’t make it in person? Show your support with a donation to keep our mission going.

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