Update
PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The first Plett Ocean Festival and Marine Science Symposium was a resounding success with sold-out events.
The festival took place between 1 and 10 July and according to organisers proved three things - that the ocean provides an "enigmatic attraction" for those who live nearby; that many people are deeply curious about the mysteries of the ocean and its creatures and that "Plettenberg Bay is the ideal place for such a festival to be held".
More than 500 tickets were sold for the Marine Science Symposium, held at the Beacon Island Resort, averaging 150 people per day and with full three-day passes the highest contributor to sales.
The festival and symposium were intro-duced with an invitation to observe, conserve and preserve, providing a platform for both conservation and community involvement.
One of the highlights of the festival was a partnership between the Black Mermaid Foundation and Plett's Louise Ausperg of Adopt A Swimmer to introduce new young swimmers to the wonders beneath the surface of the Keurbooms Estuary including sea life such as rays, juvenile reef fish and sea hares.
The workshop by founder of the foundation and master of ceremonies for the festival, Zandile Ndhlovu, was received with great enthusiasm and brought an optimistic and wondrous spirit to the festival from the first day.
Other highlights included Dr Chantel Elston's presentation "What lives in the Keurbooms Estuary", Lacey Williams' "The White Sharks of Plettenberg Bay", Lloyd Edwards' "Humpback Whale Migration Route", and Danielle Conry's "A story of killer whale research in South Africa". These were very popular and Williams' talk was sold out.
Pierre de Villiers and Chanel Hauvette of CapeNature tackled the challenges of marine protected areas and marine life strandings, respectively, and Ndhlovu further impressed with a kind and thought-provoking look at why diverse representation in ocean spaces is important.
Plett Tourism's festival director, Cindy Wilson-Trollip, was full of praise for the presenters of the symposium and the catalyst it created for conversation about conservation.
"Much of the information shared by the researchers and naturalists seems to have galvanised many into proactive conserva-tion efforts. Fascinating presentations highlighted just how easy it is to be a
"citizen scientist" and contribute in meaningful ways to research and preservation of the ocean and marine life," she said.
She also praised conservationists who spend hours and days in the field, regardless of the weather. "We are very pleased to have created a platform where this knowledge can be shared."
In addition to the symposium, the festival produced a variety of fun, family-friendly and ocean-centred activities that included a sandcastle competition, nurdle hunt, art exhibitions and workshops, a fun run, fishing competition and a series of screenings of the animated film Seal Team to school-age children.
Festivalgoers were also fortunate that the sea conditions at Plett were exceptional for marine sightings with dolphins, seals and humpback whales seen close to the beaches and Beacon Island Resort during a single day of the symposium.
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