PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The eagerly anticipated third Plett Ocean Festival is scheduled to take place later this year and tickets sales are open.
Kicking off the festival is the three-day Marine Science Symposium to be hosted at the iconic Beacon Island Resort from 21 to 23 June.
The festival will be a vibrant celebration of Plett's most cherished treasures - our ocean, marine life and beaches - while fostering crucial discussions on marine conservation. Notably, the festival aims to engage a diverse audience including families, nature lovers, conservationists, students and more. You're invited to 'come curious'.
As a destination for marine conservation, Plettenberg Bay is an accomplished destination: six international Blue Flag beaches, two Blue Flag boats, a Mission Blue Hope Spot, and a Whale Heritage Site that is surrounded by national parks and marine protected areas.
Festival director Cindy Wilson-Trollip sums it up: "The Plett Ocean Festival is committed to promoting awareness and appreciation for our oceans, fostering a sense of shared environmental responsibility, and encouraging Plett community engagement. Plett Ocean Festival endeavours to be an inclusive, unparalleled event celebrating the conservation and sustainable enjoyment of Plettenberg Bay's marine resources."
Plettenberg Bay thrives during the winter season, offering mild weather and abundant marine life, and the festival coincides with the presence of whales in the bay, ideal ocean conditions, and the congregation of resident seals, dolphins, sharks and marine birds.
In addition to the Marine Science Symposium, the festival will offer a variety of activities and excursions including pelagic bird watching, rocky shore exploration, family-friendly fun and much more. Visitors can partake in a variety of family-friendly ocean-themed activities, both along the coastline and on the water, including options for exploration beneath the waves.
As the programme for the symposium is released, it is clear that the Plett Ocean Festival is once again set to create meaningful discussions and present fascinating findings with a full calendar of 26 speakers over three days, and Plett Tourism is pleased to announce the return of Zandi the Black Mermaid, aka Zandile Ndhlovu.
Ndhlovu, a dynamic speaker, ocean advocate and South Africa's first black female freediving instructor, has MCd the Marine Science Symposium since its launch in 2022. Since then, she has continued her remarkable journey: publishing her first book, participating in Discovery Channel's Shark Week special, Shark Women, and has been a nominee in the Mipad (Most Influential People of African Descent) Awards. "I'm super excited to be back: having conversations in community, expanding the role of science meeting community and becoming better ocean advocates together - super excited," says the vivacious Ndhlovu.
Her recent achievements include the global distribution of her children's book, Zandi's Song, by Amazon Publishing and recognition in the BBC 100 Women List of 2023, alongside influential figures like Michelle Obama, Wanjira Mathai and America Ferrera.
Of her book launch in the United States on 26 March, Zandile says, "It was incredible. We listed as a best-seller within days of being released on Amazon!" While in the States, she was fortunate to attend the Sonoma International Film Festival for the world premier of Shaped by Water, by 11th Hour Racing, which she starred in. Zandile will present at the Marine Science Symposium on Saturday 22 June on her topic, 'Agent of Change'. This is one mermaid that just keeps on rising. - Supplied
The 2024 Marine Science Symposium will be presented in a new format this year.
In an effort to enhance the symposium experience, Plett Tourism has structured the event into sessions. Attendees will be able to book sessions, which generally include two to three presenters, day passes or full three-day passes.
The three-day pass is currently being offered on Early Bird Special until 13 May.
Wilson-Trollip is thrilled with the line-up of presenters for the symposium. "We are privileged to be hosting scientists of the highest calibre and dedication at the symposium again this year, and so pleased to be making their incredible knowledge and research accessible to the general public, as well as fellow academics."
Three dolphins captured in Plettenberg Bay by Alejandra Vargas.
Wilson-Trollip is especially excited about symposium talks such as those by Dr Els Vermuelen - who travels the coastline each year, hanging from a helicopter as she does the annual whale survey - and Dr Zanri Strydom, who has spent a year living with the birds on Malgas Island.
Other unmissable sessions include the return of Prof Pierre Pretorius and his penguins, 'Rewilding the Reef' with Mark Dixon and Dr Chantel Elston's 'Sharks and Rays'.
"We are hosting incredible scientists with unique stories to tell: elements braved, discoveries made and adventures embarked upon - the stuff of superheroes. Everyone needs to come and hear them."Visit www.plettoceanfestival.co.za for more information as it is released, and to book your tickets.
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