Launch of the Hammerhead Hub at the Fremantle Underwater Film Festival

We are delighted to announce the successful launch of the Hammerhead Hub, a new citizen-science app that allows ocean users to report hammerhead shark sightings directly to scientists to guide evidence-based conservation.

The Hammerhead Hub was launched at the Fremantle Underwater Film Festival and the event was a great success. The three-day festival was vibrant and full of energy. Many attendees stopped by our stand each night to learn about the project and how they can get involved.

Our short film also premiered at the festival and won the Audience Award. This recognition was an incredible honour and reflected the strong interest from the community in supporting shark conservation.

Media engagement

The launch reached audiences across Western Australia through several media features:

·         A feature on Channel 10 News on Tuesday 4 November (see link: https://broadcast.meltwater.com/public-api/segment/MzEwMjY= ).

·         A segment on ABC Kimberley Breakfast and the ABC News Bulletin, broadcast across the Kimberley, Pilbara, Gascoyne and Midwest/Geraldton regions on Wednesday 5 November https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/kimberley-breakfast/breakfast/105973080

·         An interview on Ngaarda Media – Aboriginal Corporation Radio, which aired on Monday 10 November  https://www.ngaardamedia.com.au/news/ngaarda-statewide-news-monday-10th-november-2025

These stories helped raise awareness of the project and encouraged coastal communities to participate in reporting sightings.

Why the Hammerhead Hub matters

Hammerhead shark species are some of the most endangered animals in the world. Three of the four Australian species are listed globally by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as Critically Endangered. Western Australia has no effective protection measures for the species, and only bag limits with no minimum size apply. Improved conservation is needed across their range.

The Hammerhead Hub provides a platform where community members, recreational boaters, snorkellers, divers and fishers can submit photographic sightings of hammerhead sharks. These reports contribute to our dataset on distribution, timing, behaviour, and habitat use. The information gathered through the Hub will help identify critical areas for protection and guide evidence-based conservation measures across Western Australia.

At the Marine Futures Lab we have long emphasised open-ocean, non-extractive monitoring approaches (such as BRUVS and drones) to uncover the dynamics of pelagic and benthic wildlife. This new citizen-science initiative adds a valuable complementary stream to our research by drawing on local knowledge, observation effort across time and space, and community stewardship of marine wildlife.

Looking ahead

The next stage of the project will include the rollout of the Hammerhead Hub app and outreach activities across Western Australia. Community participation will continue to play a central role in expanding our understanding of hammerhead sharks and driving evidence-based conservation action.

The Marine Futures Lab team thanks all partners, festival organisers, media outlets and community members for their support and enthusiasm during the launch. The Audience Award is a reminder of the strong connection between people and the ocean, and of what can be achieved when science and community come together for conservation.

Source: Channel 10 News Perth