PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Excitement is building for Plettenberg Bay's second Plett Ocean Festival and Marine Science Symposium with tickets going on sale over the past week.
Following a successful inaugural event last year, organisers have put together a programme for the second edition with the focus on not only celebrating Plettenberg Bay's marine treasures, but also on the understanding, observation, and conservation of marine life.
The festival is scheduled to take place from 30 June to 9 July with the symposium on 30 June and 1 and 2 July at the Beacon Island Resort this year.
The development of the festival and the symposium was spearheaded by Cindy Wilson-Trollip of Plett Tourism, who is again the organiser this year. Wilson-Trollip said last year's event fostered many conversations around citizen science, inclusivity and Plett's position as a destination for ocean lovers and marine conservation, which resulted in the bay being selected as a candidate Whale Heritage Site.
She is gathering experts from the Garden Route and further afield "to bring to life conversations about marine conservation and Plettenberg Bay's marine assets in an entertaining and thought-provoking way", she says.
"The depth of knowledge and extent of research in Plettenberg Bay and the Garden Route on oceanography, conservation and marine life is vast, and we want to share it with the world. The symposium is about a sustainable ocean economy - the ocean and our beaches are Plett's most important tourist attraction and Plett Tourism is committed to continuing the work of keeping these attractions pristine and flourishing."
The line-up and topics feature experts on marine mammals, sea birds and sharks, marine life great and small, and inspiring lessons from the ocean.
The symposium will also take on tougher topics such as the sustainability of boat-based whale watching, the dangers facing migrating whales, spatial planning for marine protected areas and the importance of diverse representation in the ocean.
It is a well-rounded programme including crowd pleasers while also seeking to ask difficult questions, stimulating conversation and immersing attendees in a world that desperately needs conservation.
The Plett Ocean Festival will offer a variety of fun and family-friendly activities such as rocky shore excursions, scuba diving and snorkelling, collaborations at the festival with Nature's Valley Trust and Open Plan Pictures to screen the movie Whale Rider, and a marine educational programme for young learners. Adopt-A-Swimmer and the Black Mermaid Foundation have partnered to introduce youngsters to the wonders beneath the waves.
For a full progamme and online bookings, visit www.plett-tourism.co.za.
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