Understand, discover, explore, conserve.
The SAMPLA Team
Research
The SAMPLA select RESEARCH TEAM consists of four ambitious marine scientists, with over 30 years of combined research experience on Southern Africa's marine predators. Having collaborated in many of South Africa’s most celebrated marine research projects the SAMPLA scientists are continually redefining our understanding of the oceans predators.
Ryan Johnson
Scientist in Residence
Ph.D. Candidate
Ryan Johnson’s research career began when he travelled to South Africa for his postgraduate studies in Zoology. Since 1998 he has researched numerous marine predators through his university of Pretoria and Marine and Coastal Management’s top predator group. His Masters and Doctorate degrees were focussed on the behavioural ecology of the Great White Shark at Gansbaai and Mossel Bay respectively.
Ryan Johnson's Curriculum VitaeEnrico Gennari
Scientist in Residence
Ph.D. Candidate
Enrico Gennari completed his master’s degree in Italy (University of Rome, La Sapienza), during which he pioneered a method of estimating age and growth in the deep water shark, Etmopterus spinax, using the shark’s vertebral rings. In 2005, he travelled to South Africa to research the great white shark. For two years, he assisted the doctorate research projects of Ryan Johnson and a close colleague Alison Kock. In 2008, he will begin his Ph.D. on the thermal physio-ecology of the white shark.
Enrico Gennari's Curriculum VitaeStephen Swanson
Technical Director
Stephen joined the research branch of South Africa’s Marine and Coastal Management in the late 80’s to fulfil his dream to research marine life. As an 18 year veteran of MCM’s top predator group, he was intimately involved in the organization’s research on marine mammals such as the Cape fur seals, humpback whales, southern right whales, and numerous dolphin species. In later years he began investigating sharks, such as the great white shark. In 2004 he had the honour of placing the satellite transmitter on the famous white shark Nicole who swam to Australia and back to South Africa.
Stephen Swanson's Curriculum VitaeToby Keswick
Scientist in Residence
Ph.D Candidate
Toby Keswick began his white shark research career in 2000 when he travelled to the Farallon Islands to assist in satellite tracking white sharks under the guidance of Peter Pyle. Continuing his shark research in South Africa, Toby teamed up with Ryan Johnson at Gansbaai in 2002 to conduct observations on commercial cage diving operators, investigating the impact of cage diving on the behaviour of white sharks. His research career continued to involve white sharks, whilst simultaneously diversifying into reptile research for his masters and doctorate degrees where he is honing his ability to track animals using the latest technologies and analytical techniques.
Toby Keswick's Curriculum VitaeProduction Team
The SAMPLA SELECT PRODUCTION TEAM represents the cream of South Africa’s freelance underwater cinematographers, photographers and journalists. Over the past 10 years, they have accompanied SAMPLA scientists on numerous expeditions and adventures throughout Southern Africa, documenting SAMPLA’s scientific efforts and successes. During this association, researcher and cinematographer have established a unique and trusted understanding, enabling the work of SAMPLA to reach the public through television, magazines and the internet. For further info on how to utilise the skills of the SAMPLA select production team write to info [at] sampla.org
Charles Maxwell
Cinematographer
Charles Maxwell is an underwater cinematographer living in Cape Town, South Africa. He has been diving for over 40 years and has an excellent knowledge of the South African marine environment as well as contacts in the documentary and scientific communities. Charles began his career in underwater filming in 1987 while assisting Swiss filmmaker, Gerald Favre with his production Le Souffle du Dragon,a story about the discovery and exploration of the world's largest underground lake in Namibia. Since then he has worked with many production companies worldwide. In 2002, Charles was the Primetime Emmy Award winner in the category Outstanding Cinematography for his work done for The Blue Planet: Seas of Life, produced by the BBC / Discovery Channel. In 2006 Charles filmed rays feeding on squid for the BBC's Planet Earth: Shallow Seas.
Fiona Ayerst
Photographer, Journalist, Videographer
Fiona Ayerst is a freelance adventure sport and underwater photographer and journalist. Fiona has won numerous international awards and local photographic competitions, and in 2003 was named the prestigious Fuji Getaway Wildlife Photographer of the year. She has joined numerous production expeditions as a dedicated photographer and journalist, including the 2008 German and French series ‘Of Sharks and Man’. Fiona is a prolific author, and has established an international reputation for her articles on ocean conservation for various popular publications. She is a director of the N.G.O Sharklife and is instrumental in driving projects to educate the public regarding sharks and the use of fish. Fiona’s love for all things to do with water show in her passion for the medium she works in and in the artistry of her work.
Roger Horrocks
Photographer, Cinematographer
Based in Cape Town, Roger is a commercial photographer and cinematographer who shoots lifestyle, environmental and sports imagery, with a specific interest in the marine world, both above and under the water. Roger has contributed articles and imagery to Men’s Health and GQ, has worked as an assistant cameraman for the BBC’s Natural History Unit, and contributes stock photography to Getty Images. In 2004, Roger was nominated as one of South Africa’s Adventurers of the Year by OutThere Magazine for completing a 100km unassisted MarineTrek with Mitch Rankin off the coast of southern Mozambique. In 2005, he led an eight member 180 Degree Adventures logistical team on an overland expedition from London to Cape Town. During the five month expedition the team passed through twelve countries, drove over twenty five thousand kilometers, and raised in excess of £1,000,000.00 for various charities, including UNICEF.
Mike Wood
Producer, Cinematographer, Journalist
Mike has worked extensively in the media and production industry as a video journalist, cameraman and producer. As an experienced diver and freediver, his camera skills extend to a strong specialisation in underwater camerawork, where he has excelled over the years. Mike owns and runs a production company based in Johannesburg, and is a co-director of the N.G.O Sharklife, where he focuses on continued education on shark conservation. Mike is a very proficient freediver, a skill which he has incorporated into his underwater camerawork. Without the restraints of scuba equipment, and a breath hold of over 6 minutes, Mike has gained the flexibility and manoeuvrability to obtain unique imagery, and extreme encounters with marine life.
Administration
Lezanne Brits
Administrative Manager
Having studied youth work and Musical Theatre, Lezanne realized that her true passion lies in Marine life. Residing in Mossel Bay, she administers SAMPLA’s research and internship programs as the dedicated administrative manager. Through participation on the SAMPLA research expeditions, Lezanne is also gaining the skills and training necessary to realising her ambition of becoming a marine scientist.
Florence April
Research base manager
With an onsite team of over 10 scientists and interns, the Mossel Bay research base is a hub of activity and organised chaos. Florence’s expertise as a chef and house manager ensures the smooth operation of SAMPLA’s research base.
IT Staff
David Edwards
Webmaster
BA Hons Multimedia Graphics
A massive fan of the Great White Shark since childhood, David Edwards graduated with a First Class (BA)Hons Multimedia Graphics Degree in July 2006. Almost a year to the day he travelled to the Great White Shark capital of the World Gansbaai, South Africa, as a volunteer for one of the Cage Diving companies operating in the area. His passion and desire to be more actively involved with the animals increased dramatically, and in 2008 David became self employed, with a view to focussing his services on Wildlife Conservation.