The Watermen Project

NPO/NGO in Switzerland, Geneva

NPO/NGO

Switzerland, Geneva

Public

The Watermen Project is a non-profit organization dedicated to ocean conservation and awareness with a focus on sharks and other big pelagic fish. Founded by William Winram, the Watermen are freedivers who volunteer their breath-hold skills to assist scientists in their research by tagging, collecting biopsy samples or taking photos.

Followers

232

Address

Route du Pont-Butin 70, 1213 Petit-Lancy, Geneva, Switzerland

info@thewatermen.org

Languages

English

Business Hours

24 May 2017

Uploads

17 Medias

25 May 2017

Manta Rays

The oceanic Manta Ray (Manta birostris) is listed as vulnerable by the IUCN. The Revillagigedo Archipalago is one of the last locations Oceanic Manta Rays can be seen in abundance. By collecting biopsy samples from these stunning rays we can conduct a variety of analysis such as stable isotopes, genetics, contaminants and trace elements. This data allows us to develop a better understanding of animal health, population dynamics and diet assisting in the conservation of these incredible animals.

11 Photos

25 May 2017

Tagging

Searching for sharks during a tagging expedition is an incredible experience. It takes patience, patience and a lot more patience. And the ocean is to be trusted as it is full of surprises. The old waiting game was rewarded during this tagging session with huge fish schools passing by. Searching and waiting are fundamentals for amazing underwater encounters. Whether you are a beginner or advanced diver, remind yourself that you are in the ocean - not in a theatre. Just because you bought a ticket, doesn't mean you get to see the movie. And if you want to enjoy the show years down the road. Maybe leave your seats in good condition, and consider to donate to its renovation. What do we mean by that? Contribute to local conservation, support the local economy during your trip and maybe in a couple of years the waiting lines become a little shorter.

54 Photos

25 May 2017

Expeditions

THE WATERMEN PROJECT provides a research platform for researchers and scientists alike. Researchers and scientists can broaden their knowledge by gathering data on sharks and large marine animals that will allow them to establish their reproduction, migratory and behavioral patterns throughout the world. This knowledge is essential to, for instance, sway governments to pass legislation banning shark trade and to create large no-ﬁshing zones to avoid a complete collapse of ﬁsh stock.

30 Photos

25 May 2017

Hammerhead Sharks

Our team has put a lot of effort into studying the great hammerhead sharks around Bimini together with Bimini Biological Field Station - Sharklab. The collaborative project has revealed long distance migrations along the US Florida coast, thousands of kilometers away from this small island in The Bahamas. Big questions remain around shark ecology and movements, and our team is determined to continue using their freediving abilities to contribute to shark conservation and research. While it is amazing that we have access to these sharks now and everyone can enjoy pictures of these incredible creatures, we have to be careful about the false sense of security we may get from social media. Just because you see thousands of pictures of great hammerheads, doesn't mean that there are actually thousands of great hammerheads that you can dive with or are left in our oceans. And just because there are many people diving with sharks in locations all over the world, does not mean that we know everything about them - far from it.

21 Photos