At the end of August 2002, the White Shark Trust welcomed four new Field Research Assistants:

Laura Jane POOLE from Aberdeen, Scotland on the 27th of August,

Helen Sarah FINDLEY from Southampton, England on the 30th of August,

Alasdair HARRIS from Edinburgh, Scotland on the 31st of August,

and

Camille MELLIN from Thiverval Grignon, France on the 1st of September

Read what Helen FINDLEY had to say about her stay in Gansbaai...
On the 1st of July, the storm which hit us on the 29th of July was not over yet... the weather was great, but the swell was still very high...

We took a drive to De Kelders to look at the Southern Right Whales visiting Walker Bay...

Al, Laura and Helen then walked back along the scenic coastal walk...
On Tuesday the 3rd of September, the sea finally calmed down enough for us to go to sea... it was a greay day... But after a few hours of waiting, we observed seven sharks!

All sharks were over three meters in total length, with one shark approaching four meters. Great first day!
Al and Helen were the "Watchers" of the day (left), while Laura and Camille were learning to handle the baitline (above and below).

This first day for Al, probably was not his best day either... but then again, some additionnal chum in the water never harmed these sharks...
Wednesday the 4th of September... a grey and miserable day to start with... even a bit of rain earlier that morning... but some sharks soon after anchoring and a cup of hot coffee later, that works!

We observed five sharks today...
What Helen FINDLEY had to say about her experience as a White Shark Trust Field Research Assistant...

My trip to South Africa was absolutely amazing. Not only did I get to learn about and handle and photograph one of the world’s greatest predators but also I go to spend a month with one of the world’s greatest couples!

Michael and Tracey have a beautiful home and Tracey is a great cook. Socialising in the Braai room after a great round of beer bread is the perfect way to finish off the day. Michael is a very amusing guy who has an interesting relationship with his camera (as you can see from all the photos he takes…).

Michael and Tracey are always willing to show us the area and give us tips on places to go and things to do if they couldn’t take us themselves.

The sharks were fantastic and being able to handle the bait line and see these creatures up close is what its all about. I would recommend it to anyone!

I’d just like to say a huge thank you to Michael and Tracey for giving me that opportunity and good luck to all the future assistants.