26 Nov 2025
The talk captured the audience - both in awe and severity
On 26 November 2025, SmallTalX® concluded the year with a highly successful and well-attended presentation at the Franschhoek Theatre. The talk, by Alessandro De Maddalena, focussed on the Great White Sharks of South Africa, providing the audience with insightful information about their remarkable biology and ecological importance. It also addressed the alarming decline of these sharks in False Bay, examining potential causes for their disappearance.
The inspiration behind De Maddalena's talk lies in his personal journey and commitment to understanding sharks, encompassing not only Great Whites but all shark species. He and his wife, Alessandra, moved from Milan, Italy, to South Africa to be closer to Great White sharks and to study them in False Bay. He currently oversees 'The Shark Museum' in Simon's Town, where he gives talks on zoology and marine biology, highlighting the decline in shark populations and other conservation challenges impacting our oceans.
De Maddalena's genuine passion for sharks is contagious. In his presentation, he captivates the audience with awe-inspiring photography, showcasing the remarkable biological adaptations and behaviours of these creatures. This approach fosters appreciation and engagement from the audience, a significant achievement for a species often subjected to unjust negative publicity. He further emphasises their fragile conservation status and the impact of human activities on these vital apex predators, which play a crucial role in maintaining the health of ocean ecosystems and, by extension, the planet. It is a narrative of revealing truths and a serious story that demands attention and action: the disappearance of sharks from False Bay.
Be sure not to miss Alessandro De Maddalena when he returns to the Helderberg area in 2026, sharing crucial insights about one of the ocean's key apex predators!