PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The Marine Science Symposium, part of the Plett Ocean Festival, has been labelled a massive success on many levels - from conservation to sparking interests in the area's marine resources.
With some presentations completely sold out, Plett Tourism chief executive Patt Butterworth said interest in the symposium - only in its second year - has grown dramatically.
Not only were there more presenters, but more marine enthusiasts attended.
Butterworth told Knysna-Plett Herald correspondent, Yolande Stander, that ticket sales had risen by 10%.
"Most of this year's festival presenters are already booking for a time slot for next year with some new and exciting topics. We have also received outside interest from new academia who are thrilled to hear about future opportunities," she said.
The symposium was held over the past weekend at the Beacon Island Resort and attendees included professors, marine rangers, researchers and passionate naturalists.
Marine life
Professor Amanda Lombard pointed out the importance of marine protected areas - Plettenberg Bay being home to the Robberg MPA for almost three decades. The ocean produces most of the earth's oxygen and recycles 30% of our carbon dioxide.
The government proclaimed 20 new offshore marine protected areas in 2019, increasing the country's protected mainland from 0,4% to 5%.
"Thank you for creating an event like this where the barrier between science and citizen science is broken down," said Dr Deborah Roberston-Andersson of the Sustainable Seas Trust.
Brittany Arendse of Nature's Valley Trust was one of the presenters at the symposium. Photo: Plett Tourism Association
Working together
A theme that came across in multiple presentations is that of collaboration - researchers and scientists working together, sharing data and results to better understand the marine world.
This collaboration is also evident in Plett with local organisations such as the Nature's Valley Trust, Orca Foundation, NSRI, the Plett Animal Stranding Network and the Plett Shark Action Group coming together to further conservation, policy and research.
Another collaboration effort that was highlighted was the role of citizen science. Examples of science and citizen science working hand in hand includes Dr Chantel Elston's story of discovering South Africa's first stingray nursery in the Keurbooms Estuary and how social media has helped Dr Alison Towner of Dyer Island Trust - who presented to a sold-out venue - to track the two shark-predating orcas, Port and Starboard.
While the symposium came to a close, various other marine-themed activities will still be running as part of the Plett Ocean Festival until 9 July.
For the programme and full press release by Janet Middleton written for Plett Tourism Association, visit www.plett-tourism.co.za.
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