Marine biologist working on great white sharks to African penguins. Passionate about bridging the gap between science and society to inspire ocean conservation
Cape Town, South Africa
Joined June 2015
- Tweets5.8K
- Following2.3K
- Followers6.2K
- Likes8.2K
Dr. Alison Kock retweeted
The 2027 DSTI-NRF Honours funding call is available here: nrf.ac.za/announcement-of-ca…
Please consult the NRF’s official documents before submitting queries or applications.
Visit or contact your university's postgrad/research office for assistance.
Dr. Alison Kock retweeted
This Shark Awareness Day, meet the overlooked electric rays: numbfishes.
These small rays are often poorly studied, rarely recorded, and incidentally caught in coastal fisheries.
Dr. Alison Kock retweeted
Tune in this Sunday - Rare glimpse into the Knysna seahorse survey on kykNET
The tiny Knysna seahorse is South Africa’s only endemic seahorse species and a true natural treasure of the Garden Route. These small and elusive creatures are found in the murky waters of the Knysna Estuary, where their presence has become closely linked to the identity of the town.
This Sunday, viewers will get a rare opportunity to go underwater with SANParks marine scientist Clement Arendse as he conducts a scientific survey on the distribution and abundance of these seahorses. The work involves scuba diving through seagrass meadows in search of these delicate animals, which are often difficult to locate due to their size and habitat.
The feature forms part of Bewonder & Bewaar, offering an exceptional look at marine conservation work and one of South Africa’s most unique species.
Please tune in as follows:
Programme: Bewonder & Bewaar (with English subtitles)
Channel: kykNET (DStv Channel 144)
Date: Sunday, 14 June 2026
Time: 20:30
Also available: DStv Catch-Up
We encourage you to watch and share in this remarkable story of marine science and conservation in SANParks. #LiveYourWild #InclusiveConservation
Dr. Alison Kock retweeted
Over R50 Million Disbursed to SMMEs Supporting SANParks Procurement
A significant milestone has been reached in advancing access to finance for small businesses, with more than R50 million in loans disbursed to small, micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs) procuring within the South African National Parks (SANParks) ecosystem. The fund in partnership with Sanlam had disbursed R50.1 million by 28 May 2026, marking a major achievement in its mission to promote inclusive economic growth and enterprise development.
Launched as a R10 million pilot programme, the initiative has grown into a R50 million-plus impact fund in just two and a half years, following the disbursement of its first loan on 23 October 2023: shorturl.at/CDN56
Dr. Alison Kock retweeted
New paper in @ScienceMagazine science.org/doi/10.1126/scie…
Dr. Alison Kock retweeted
Hailing from 23 countries around the world, our 2026 Small Grant recipients are a mix of young researchers, experienced conservationists, and change-makers.
Meet our 2026 Small Grant project leaders here: saveourseas.com/building-a-b…
Dr. Alison Kock retweeted
🌊🐋 Save Our Seas Keystone Grant – Fund Ocean Change!
Turn your passion for marine conservation into real impact with this global funding opportunity 💙
🔬 Support for research & conservation projects
💰 Up to ~$25,000/year funding
🌍 Create real-world impact for sharks, rays & ocean ecosystems
📢 Boost your outreach with expert communication support
Protect our oceans while advancing your work—apply and make waves! 🌊✨
Link: ffngos.org/C8Yz5M
#OceanGrant #Conservation #Marine
Dr. Alison Kock retweeted
Applications for the 2026 Jennifer Ward Oppenheimer (JWO) Research Grant open on 23 March.
Eligible early-career African scientists working on biodiversity and conservation research in or for Africa are encouraged to prepare.
#JWOResearchGrant #ORC2026
Dr. Alison Kock retweeted
The last region of focus for the ISRA project is the African Atlantic! We are seeking proposals for preliminary areas of interest to [email protected] 15 June 2026
#shark #ray #chimaera #ISRA #conservation
Dr. Alison Kock retweeted
South African National Parks invites public comment on the draft Management Plans for Table Mountain National Park and Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area: bit.ly/4kl51Rn
Dr. Alison Kock retweeted
... this Agreement represents a vital opportunity to:
• enforce fishing regulations
• establish marine protected areas
• encourage research
• and strengthen international cooperation across the ocean
For more information see: highseasalliance.org/
Dr. Alison Kock retweeted
Until today, there was no comprehensive legal framework and limited data governing biodiversity in these areas.
This is a historic moment for marine life. For pelagic sharks and rays in particular, which spend most of their lives in the high seas, ...
Dr. Alison Kock retweeted
It was adopted on 19 June 2023 and entered into force today, 120 days after the 60th country ratified the Agreement.
Why does this matter?
Most (70%) of Earth is covered by the ocean, with 64% of the ocean’s surface area located in the high seas.
Dr. Alison Kock retweeted
What is this Treaty?
The Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, also known as the High Seas Treaty, is the third Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Dr. Alison Kock retweeted
Today marks a major step for global ocean governance. The High Seas Treaty enters into force, creating the first legal framework to conserve and sustainably manage marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ).
Dr. Alison Kock retweeted
NEW PAPER ALERT | Only One Percent of Important Shark and Ray Areas in the Western Indian Ocean Are Fully Protected From Fishing Pressure.
Read the full paper in Ecology and Evolution here: doi.org/10.1002/ece3.72690
#shark #ray #chimaera #ISRA #publication #conservation
Dr. Alison Kock retweeted
The South African Risk & Vulnerability Atlas (SARVA) team has launched a new decision-support tool, the South African Climate Risk Tool. The tool provides downscaled climate projections for South African municipalities across four SSP scenarios from the near term (2021–2040) to the far term (2081–2100). The tool will enable decision-makers to better understand potential climate risks and design targeted adaptation and resilience strategies. Explore the tool here:
sarvamaps.saeon.ac.za/climat…
Dr. Alison Kock retweeted
📢Check out another #MegaMove landmark study published in @ConservBio318 showing ~40% of marine megafauna species are highly vulnerable to human-driven threats 🌍 @EcoEvo_ANU @uwaoceans
#MarineConservation #OceanHealth #Biodiversity #MarineMegafauna
sequeiralab.com/news/new-glo…
Dr. Alison Kock retweeted
🏅Huge congratulations to Prof Lynne Shannon (@lynneshannon8)! She's the first person from the Global South to receive the Prince Albert I Grand Medal for Ocean Science, awarded at @OceanoMonaco in Paris. A proud moment for 🇿🇦South African marine research.
maris.uct.ac.za/articles/202…
🎉Prof Lynne Shannon @lynneshannon8 becomes the first Global South recipient of the Prince Albert I Grand Medal for Ocean Science, awarded in Paris @OceanoMonaco on 8 December 2025.
🌍A landmark moment for #oceanscience.
🔗 Read the full story here: maris.uct.ac.za/articles/202…
