PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The first Plett Ocean Festival and concurrent Marine Science Symposium are set to not only include fun activities for the entire family, but also to highlight the area's rich marine life.
"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," says Plett Tourism events manager Cindy Wilson-Trollip.
"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."
There is an impressive line-up from speakers who will cover various topics and share expertise on marine mammals, sea birds and sharks, estuary life, and other "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, the challenges faced by recreational fishers and the importance of diverse representation in the ocean.
"It is a well-rounded programme including such crowd-pleasers as great white sharks, bottlenose dolphins and the sounds of marine mammals while also seeking to ask difficult questions, stimulating conversation and immersing attendees in a world that desperately needs conservation," says Wilson-Trollip.
Symposium programme
The symposium will start with a session by Dr Danielle Conry about an apex predator - the orca or killer whale.
Conry recently returned from studying orcas on South Africa's Marion Island. She will share an overview of what is currently known about the local population of these marine mammals.
Dr Chantel Elston will follow with a curious look at what lies beneath the surface of the lagoon. Elston's postdoctoral research at the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) has brought her to the Garden Route where she is studying the stingrays of Plett's Keurbooms estuary.
Next up will be vet and marine mammal scientist Dr Alejandra Vargas-Fonseca, presenting on the bottlenose dolphins in the Garden Route. Elston will then return for a session on becoming a citizen scientist, encouraging everyday ocean lovers and conservationists to support research and help scientists by collecting data.
Proceeds from this talk will go to Plett's Orca Foundation.
The first day will close with a presentation by Dr Anton Wolfaardt revisiting Marion Island to discuss ways of saving the island's seabirds, which will be followed by a networking session and an introduction to the Robberg Coastal Corridor Initiative by Kei Heyns.
The second day of the symposium is set to begin with well-known whale warrior, Lloyd Edwards of Raggy Charters, and his presentation on the Southern Hemisphere Whale Migration Route.
This will be followed by a talk by Dr Minke Witteveen on assessing the ecological and social sustainability of boat-based whale-watching in Plettenberg Bay.
Next up will be Dr Matthew Zylstra of the new Kwendalo Institute in Plett, talking about his encounters of the Keurbooms estuary, and Chanel Hauvette on marine life strandings in Plettenberg Bay and surrounds.
The day will end with Lacey Williams' White Sharks of Plettenberg Bay which will include footage by veteran shark lover and NSRI member Bruce Noble, and another networking session and short talk from Mike Kantey on the history of the Beacon Island Whaling Station.
On the final day Kuhle Hlati of the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, and Vargas-Fonseca will discuss the sounds of marine mammals in Plettenberg Bay.
This will be followed by Kyle Smith's talk on the challenges facing recreational fishing in the Garden Route. Wilma Swanepoel will present her "Strandloper Project: Unlocking marine research through citizen science".
MC Zandile Ndhlovu of the Black Mermaid Foundation will then talk about why diverse representation in the ocean is important. She will be followed by Jessica Seath on ecological engineering in the Knysna Estuary.
The sessions will come to an end with Susan Swain's presentation "Biomimicry: inspiration and lessons from our oceans".
Plett Ocean Festival
The Plett Ocean Festival will also offer a variety of fun and family-friendly activities including rocky shore excursions, guided hikes, scuba diving and snorkelling, a trail run, angling competition, and a team surfing competition.
Collaborations at the festival are many.
Nature's Valley Trust has partnered with Open Plan Pictures to screen the animated movie Seal Team alongside an educational talk on pollution and marine debris; Adopt-a-Swimmer and the Black Mermaid Foundation have partnered to introduce youngsters to the wonders beneath the waves, and the local NSRI Station 14 will hold an open day for visitors to tour the station and learn more about the National Sea Rescue Institute and its work.
The festival is set to run from 1 to 10 July along with the symposium between 1 and 3 July at the Beacon Isle Resort.
Tickets are available via www.plettoceanfestival.co.za and Quicket. For more information about the events, visit www.pletttourism.com.
Interesting information from research done on Plett's marine life will be discussed at the symposium. Photo: Gwen Penry
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