THIS IS US
If you take action out of conservation you are literally left with a meaningless word – “onserv”.
We do CONSERVATION.
We discover through research and observation.
Research helps us to identify the origin, the cause and possible solutions to a problem. Solutions need to be implemented, policies need to change, legislation must be adapted, action must be taken.
We make a difference, we act, we get things done.
We are part of the environment we live in. We see and feel the changes.
We take responsibility.
OUR MISSION
OUR HISTORY
The Dyer Island Conservation Trust was founded in 2006 by Wilfred Chivell, a true ocean warrior and the owner of Marine Dynamics Travel and Dyer Island Cruises. A native of Gansbaai, Wilfred knows the reefs, rocks and wrecks along the Gansbaai coastline like the inside of his home. His passion for the conservation of this diverse environment has placed the greater Dyer Island region on the international map.
Our operational model:
Our primary partners, Marine Dynamics & Dyer Island Cruises, provide the trust with significant funding and the operational platform from which the Trust operates.
Donations from tourists who come to view the Great white shark, visit the African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary or join the eco cruises contributes greatly towards our work.
We rely on continued partnerships with business and corporate sponsorships, and special partnerships like our partnership with Volkswagen South Africa’s – For Good initiative to meet our research and operational funding needs.
OUR ACTIONS:
We started the development & deployment of artificial nests for the African penguin in 2006. Through ongoing research and collaboration we have continued in our quest to find the ultimate African penguin penthouse.
We opened the African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary in February 2015
We embarked on an intensive research programme to statistically calculate the probable population size of the Great white shark in the Dyer Island area.
We used acoustic tagging to determine the interaction of the Great white sharks with their environment, habitat & prey.
We collaborated with researchers from universities in South Africa & abroad to understand how physiological stress and genetics affect individual behaviour in a large apex predator.
We studied the presence & effect of persistent organic pollutants on the reproductive health of Great white sharks.
We investigated the relationship between cage diving and Great white shark behaviour by comparing control and cage-diving designated areas.
We support the annual aerial survey of the Southern right whales. We collaborate with researchers to observe & record the endangered Humpback dolphin. We collect images of Bryde’s whales for the national database.
We initiated and managed the Fishing Line Bin Project.
We initiated, designed & manufactured a stormwater drain outlet pollution capturing net system that we are trialling in collaboration with the Overstrand municipality for possible deployment in the larger Overstrand area.
We have developed & implemented our DEEP Blue Ambassador programme.
We host monthly Marine evenings to inform and educate people about our environment.
We are part of the National Whale Disentanglement Programme
DATA COLLECTION & MONITORING:
We do regular BRUV (BAITED REMOTE UNDERWATER VIDEO SYSTEMS) surveys to gather data. BRUVs are a non-invasive way to observe marine species in their natural habitat. This data helps us to investigate the diversity, distribution, and abundance of sharks around Dyer Island, and contributes to similar studies around South Africa helping drive decisions on marine protected areas.
ESTUARY MONITORING:
A continued monitoring programme of the Uilenkraalsmond Estuary helps in assessing the health of this important system and is essential to our understanding of the important role wetlands play in the ecosystem.
SHARK EGG PROJECT:
The collection of shark egg cases on designated beaches helps identify species distribution and breeding timing of smaller shark species.
DICT BIOLOGIST AND AFFILIATES PUBLICATION LIST
- Queiroz, N., Humphries, N.E., Couto, A., Vedor, M., da Costa, I., Sequeira, A.M.M., Mucientes, G., Santos, A.M., Abascal, F.J., Abercrombie, D.L., Abrantes, K., Acuña-Marrero, D., Afonso, A.S., Afonso, P., Anders, D., Araujo, G., Arauz, R., Bach, P., Barnett, A., Bernal, D., Berumen, M.L., Bessudo Lion, S., Bezerra, N.P.A., Blaison, A.V., Block, B.A., Bond, M.E., Bradford, R.W., Braun, C.D., Brooks, E.J., Brooks, A., Brown, J., Bruce, B.D., Byrne, M.E., Campana, S.E., Carlisle, A.B., Chapman, D.D., Chapple, T.K., Chisholm, J., Clarke, C.R., Clua, E.G., Cochran, J.E.M., Crochelet, E.C., Dagorn, L., Daly, R., Devia Cortés, D., Doyle, T.K., Drew, M., Duffy, C.A.J., Erikson, T., Espinoza, E., Ferreira, L.C., Ferretti, F., Filmalter, J.D., Fischer, G.C., Fitzpatrick, R., Fontes, J., Forget, F., Fowler, M., Francis, M.P., Gallagher, A.J., Gennari, E., Goldsworthy, S.D., Gollock, M.J., Green, J.R., Gustafson, J.A., Guttridge, T.L., Guzman, H.M., Hammerschlag, N., Harman, L., Hazin, F.H.V., Heard, M., Hearn, A.R., Holdsworth, J.C., Holmes, B.J., Howey, L.A., Hoyos, M., Hueter, R.E., Hussey, N.E., Huveneers, C., Irion, D.T., Jacoby, D.M.P., Jewell, O.J.D., Johnson, R., Jordan, L.K.B., Jorgensen, S.J., Joyce, W., Keating Daly, C.A., Ketchum, J.T., Klimley, A.P., Kock, A.A., Koen, K., Ladino, F., Lana, F.O., Lea, J.S.E., Llewellyn, F., Lyon, W.S., MacDonnell, A., Macena, B.C.L., Marshall, H., McAllister, J.D., McAuley, R., Meÿer, M.A., Morris, J.J., Nelson, E.R., Papastamatiou, Y.P., Patterson, T.A., Peñaherrera-Palma, C., Pepperell, J.G., Pierce, S.J., Poisson, F., Quintero, L.M., Richardson, A.J., Rogers, P.J., Rohner, C.A., Rowat, D.R.L., Samoilys, M., Semmens, J.M., Sheaves, M., Shillinger, G., Shivji, M., Singh, S., Skomal, G.B., Smale, M.J., Snyders, L.B., Soler, G., Soria, M., Stehfest, K.M., Stevens, J.D., Thorrold, S.R., Tolotti, M.T., Towner, A., Travassos, P., Tyminski, J.P., Vandeperre, F., Vaudo, J.J., Watanabe, Y.Y., Weber, S.B., Wetherbee, B.M., White, T.D., Williams, S., Zárate, P.M., Harcourt, R., Hays, G.C., Meekan, M.G., Thums, M., Irigoien, X., Eguiluz, V.M., Duarte, C.M., Sousa, L.L, Simpson, S.J., Southall E.J. and Sims, D.W. (2019) Global spatial risk assessment of sharks under the footprint of fisheries. Nature
- Jewell, O. J., Gleiss, A. C., Jorgensen, S. J., Andrzejaczek, S., Moxley, J. H., Beatty, S. J., Wikelski, M., Block, B. A. & Chapple, T. K. (2019) Cryptic habitat use of white sharks in kelp forest revealed by animal-borne video. Biology letters, 15(4), 20190085.
- Huveneers, C., Apps, K., Becerril-García, E. E., Bruce, B., Butcher, P. A., Carlisle, A. B., Chapple, T. , Christiansen, H. M., Cliff, G., Curtis, T. H., Daly-Engel, T. S., Dewar, H., Dicken, M. L., Domeier, M. L., Duffy, C. A. J., Ford, R., Francis, M. P., French, G. C. A., Galván-Magaña, F., García-Rodríguez, E., Gennari, E., Graham, B., Hayden, B., Hoyos-Padilla, E. M., Hussey, N. E., Jewell, O. J. D., Jorgensen, S. J., Kock, A. A., Lowe, C. G., Lyons, K., Meyer, L., Oelofse, G., Oñate-González, E. C., Oosthuizen, H., O’Sullivan, J. B., Ramm, K., Skomal, G., Sloan, S., Smale, M. J., Sosa-Nishizaki, O., Sperone, E., Tamburin, E., Towner, A. V., Wcisel, M. A., Weng, K. C. & Werry J. M. (2018) Future research directions on the ‘elusive’ white shark. Frontiers in Marine Science, 5, 455.
- French, G. C. A., Stürup, M., Rizzuto, S., Van Wyk, J. H., Edwards, D., Dolan, R. W., Wintner, S. P., Towner, A. V. & Hughes, W. O. H. (2017) The tooth, the whole tooth and nothing but the tooth: tooth shape and ontogenetic shift dynamics in the white shark Carcharodon carcharias. Journal of fish biology, 91(4), 1032-1047.
- Rogers, T. D., Cambiè, G., & Kaiser, M. J. (2017) Determination of size, sex and maturity stage of free swimming catsharks using laser photogrammetry. Marine biology, 164(11), 213.
- Towner, A. V., Leos‐Barajas, V., Langrock, R., Schick, R. S., Smale, M. J., Kaschke, T., Jewell, O. J. & Papastamatiou, Y. P. (2016) Sex‐specific and individual preferences for hunting strategies in white sharks. Functional Ecology, 30(8), 1397-1407.
- Chapple, T. K., Gleiss, A. C., Jewell, O. J., Wikelski, M., & Block, B. A. (2015) Tracking sharks without teeth: a non-invasive rigid tag attachment for large predatory sharks. Animal Biotelemetry, 3(1), 14.
- Dureuil, M., Towner, A. V., Ciolfi, L. G., & Beck, L. A. (2015) A computer-aided framework for subsurface identification of white shark pigment patterns. African journal of marine science, 37(3), 363-371.
- Jewell, O. J., Wcisel, M. A., Towner, A. V., Chivell, W., Van der Merwe, L., & Bester, M. N. (2014) Core habitat use of an apex predator in a complex marine landscape. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 506, 231-242.
- Jewell, O. J., Johnson, R. L., Gennari, E., & Bester, M. N. (2013) Fine scale movements and activity areas of white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) in Mossel Bay, South Africa. Environmental biology of fishes, 96(7), 881-894.
- Towner, A. V., Wcisel, M. A., Reisinger, R. R., Edwards, D., & Jewell, O. J. (2013) Gauging the threat: the first population estimate for white sharks in South Africa using photo identification and automated software. PloS one, 8(6), e66035.
- Towner, A. V., Underhill, L. G., Jewell, O. J., & Smale, M. J. (2013) Environmental influences on the abundance and sexual composition of white sharks Carcharodon carcharias in Gansbaai, South Africa. PLoS one, 8(8), e71197.
- Jewell, O. J. D. (2012) Foraging ecology of white sharks Carcharodon carcharias at Dyer Island, South Africa (Master’s dissertation, University of Pretoria).
- Towner, A. V., Smale, M. J. & Jewell, O. J. (2012) Boat strike wound healing in the white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) global perspectives on the biology and life history of the white shark. In Domeier, M. L., editor, Global Perspectives on the Biology and Life History of the White Shark, chapter 6, pages 77- CRC Press.
- Towner, A.V. (2012) Great White Sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) in Gansbaai, South Africa: Environmental influences and changes over time: 2007–2011 (Master’s dissertation, University of Cape Town).
- Jewell, O. J., Wcisel, M. A., Gennari, E., Towner, A. V., Bester, M. N., Johnson, R. L. & Singh, S. (2011) Effects of smart position only (SPOT) tag deployment on white sharks Carcharodon carcharias in South Africa. PLoS One, 6(11), e27242.
- Wcisel, M., Chivell, W. & Gottfried, M. D. (2010) A potential predation attempt by a great white shark on an Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin. African Journal of Wildlife Research, 40(2), 184-188.
- Rooth, D., 2018, Assessment of elasmobranch diversity and relative abundance in Van Dyks Bay, South Africa using Baited Remote Underwater Video Systems (Bachelors thesis, Lund University).
- Vermeulen, E., Bouveroux, T., Plön, S., Atkins, S., Chivell, W., Cockcroft, V., Conry, D., Gennari, E., Hörbst, S., James, B. S., Kirkman, S., Penry, G., Pistorius, P., Thornton, M., Vargas-Fonseca, A., Elwen, S. H. & Kirkman, S. (2018) Indian Ocean humpback dolphin (Sousa plumbea) movement patterns along the South African coast. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 28(1), 231-240.
- Vermeulen, E., Wilkinson, C., Thornton, M., Peters, I. & Findley, K. (2017) International Whaling Commission: South African southern right whale aerial survey.
- Vinding, K., Bester, M., Kirkman, S. P., Chivell, W. & Elwen, S. H. (2015) The use of data from a platform of opportunity (whale watching) to study coastal cetaceans on the southwest coast of South Africa. Tourism in Marine Environments, 11(1), 33-54.
- van der Linde, M. L., Eriksson, I. K. (2019) An assessment of sperm whale occurrence and social structure off São Miguel Island, Azores using fluke and dorsal identification photographs. Marine Mammal Science.
- Carroll, E. L., Ott, P. H., McMillan, L. F., Galletti Vernazzani, B., Neveceralova, P., Vermeulen, E., Gaggiotti, O. E., Andriolo, A., Baker, C. S., Bamford, C., Best, P., Cabrera, E., Calderan, S., Chirife, A., Fewster, R. M., Flores, P. A. C.,Frasier, T., Freitas, T. R. O., Groch, K., Hulva, P., Kennedy, A., Leaper, R., Leslie, M. S., Moore, M., Oliveira, L., Seger, J., Stepien, E. N., Valenzuela, L. O., Zerbini, A. & Jackson, J. A. (2020) Genetic Diversity and Connectivity of Southern Right Whales (Eubalaena australis) Found in the Brazil and Chile–Peru Wintering Grounds and the South Georgia (Islas Georgias del Sur) Feeding Ground. Journal of Heredity, 111(3), 263-276.
- Vinding Petersen, K., 2016. Distribution, habitat use, and behaviour of cetaceans in the Greater Dyer Island area, Western Cape, South Africa (Doctoral dissertation, University of Pretoria).
- Waller, L. (2011) The African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus): Conservation and Management Issues. (Doctoral dissertation, University of Cape Town).
- Wcisel, M. A, O’Riain, M. J., De Vos A. & Chivell W. (2014) The role of refugia in reducing predation risk for Cape fur seals by white. Behavioural ecology and sociobiology, 69(1), 127-138.
- Vinding, K., Christiansen, M., Hofmeyr, G. J., Chivell, W., McBride, R. & Bester, M. N. (2013) Occurrence of vagrant leopard seals, Hydrurga leptonyx, along the South African coast. African Journal of Wildlife Research, 43(1), 84-87.
- Wcisel, M. A. (2013) The effects white shark presence has on Cape fur seal movements at Geyser Rock, South Africa (Master’s dissertation, University of Cape Town).
- Cook, T. R., Jewell, O. J., Chivell, W. & Bester, M. N. (2012) An albino cape cormorant Phalacrocorax capensis. Marine Ornithology, 40, 72-73.
- Jewell, O. J. D. & Wcisel, M. A. (2012) A leatherback turtle stranding at Danger Point, Gansbaai, South Africa. South African Journal of Wildlife Research. 42(2) 147–150.
- Alison Towner – MSc Zoology, University of Cape Town
- Michelle Wcisel – MSc Zoology, University of Cape Town
- Oliver Jewell – MSc Zoology, University of Pretoria.
- Lauren Waller – PhD, University of Cape Town
- Katja Vinding-Petersen – PhD, University of Pretoria