On Monday, 30 June 2025, Wilfred Chivell — CEO of Marine Dynamics and Founder of the Dyer Island Conservation Trust — was honoured to attend the Marine OECM Roadmap Handover Event hosted by WWF South Africa.
Opening the event, Dr Morne du Plessis, CEO of WWF, reminded everyone why the work ahead is so critical:
“The African Penguin is now the most endangered penguin on the planet. Its alarming decline, mirrored by other marine species such as small pelagic fish and southern right whales, shows us that our oceans are not only to be marvelled at — they sustain us, and they need us to better protect them.”
Dr Morne du Plessis, CEO of WWF
This clear call to action set the tone for a gathering of conservation leaders, researchers, local custodians, and marine industry partners, all focused on exploring every corner of South Africa’s coastline for sites that could qualify as OECMs. Among these, the Great Dyer Island area stood out — a unique marine ecosystem teeming with life and home to one of the last crucial breeding colonies of the critically endangered African Penguin — identified by WWF’s research as a prime candidate for OECM recognition.
What is an OECM?
An Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measure (OECM) is a globally recognised tool defined by the Convention on Biological Diversity. OECMs are areas that, although not officially designated as protected areas, are managed in ways that achieve positive and sustained long-term outcomes for biodiversity conservation. They complement Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and expand the reach of marine protection to ensure ecosystems and species like the African Penguin are given every chance to recover and thrive.
Sue Middleton, Deputy Director‑General of the DFFE, and Adv. Radia Razack, Acting Director‑General: Oceans and Coasts at the DFFE, accepted the WWF OECM Roadmap from Dr Morne du Plessis (WWF).
Wilfred Chivell’s presence at the handover reflects Marine Dynamics’ and the Dyer Island Conservation Trust’s unwavering commitment to real, practical conservation on the water and on the islands. Their long-standing collaboration with WWF, CapeNature, local government, and community stakeholders continues to strengthen the protection of this vital ocean region.
A Note of Thanks
Wilfred and his team extend sincere gratitude to Craig Smith, WWF-SA’s Senior Technical Specialist: Marine, for his dedicated support and regular visits to Marine Dynamics and the Dyer Island Conservation Trust over the past few months. Craig’s collaboration and guidance have been invaluable in shaping the WWF OECM Roadmap and ensuring the Great Dyer Island area is part of a shared vision for a healthier, more resilient ocean.
Craig Smith, WWF-SA’s Senior Technical Specialist: Marine
Together, through collaboration, science, and daily stewardship, we are working to ensure that the African Penguin and all the life this ocean sustains will be here for generations to come.
