 Growth doesn’t always mean leaving something behind. Sometimes, it means stepping forward into something greater. For our DEEP Blue Ambassadors who completed their final year, this moment marks not an ending, but the beginning of an exciting new chapter. Rather than saying goodbye to the programme, they are evolving into a new role—as DEEP Blue Seniors. This transition is more [...]
10 February 2026 Schalk’s journey began on 20 November 2025, when an African penguin in distress was rescued in Mossel Bay by an NSRI Station 15 volunteer. Weak and vulnerable, he was rushed to the SAPREC Seabird and Penguin Rehabilitation Centre in Mossel Bay, where it quickly became clear that this young penguin had arrived just in time. Schalk was a [...]
The DEEP Kids recently enjoyed an exciting and educational trip to the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town — a day filled with discovery, fun, and a deeper understanding of the ocean and its incredible creatures. From the moment they stepped through the aquarium doors, the children were captivated by the wonders of the underwater world. Their visit began with an [...]
Nestled within the internationally recognised Cape Whale Coast Hope Spot®—a 200 km stretch of coastline from Rooi Els to Quoin Point declared by Mission Blue in December 2014—young ocean ambassadors came together to celebrate Marine Protected Area (MPA) Day 2025. This unique event was hosted by the Dyer Island Conservation Trust, in partnership with CapeNature and the I AM WATER Foundation, [...]
  The African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary (APSS) opened its doors in February 2015, a vision that took flight from the pages of Wilfred Chivell’s little black notebook. As the founder of the Dyer Island Conservation Trust, he dreamt of a facility that could rehabilitate endangered seabirds. What began as a drawing of single container with a porta pool grew [...]
An early morning departure from Kleinbaai Harbour on 20 January, with the initial goal of deploying underwater video systems, took a turn as news arrived that a large, deceased fish was found floating in Jouberstdam, brought to our attention by fisherman Johan Stoop. The team on board research vessel Lwazi, consisting of skippers Hennie Odendaal and Dickie Chivell, marine biologist Amy [...]
Through the Dyer Island Conservation Trust and Marine Dynamics Academy, baited remote underwater videos, otherwise known as BRUVs are deployed within the wider Dyer Island ecosystem on board research vessel, Lwazi. The deployment rigs consist of a metal structure, on which bait canisters are attached. These bait canisters are made utilising PVC pipe, with drilled holes allowing the scent of the [...]
On Friday 13th of September, a Shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) was retrieved by the Dyer Island Conservation Trust and Marine Dynamics Academy team from Die Dam. Local residents alerted the team of the stranding the evening of 12 September, where the Mako could be seen in good condition. Operations manager, Hennie Otto, marine biologist, Amy Webber and Marine Dynamics Academy [...]
In celebration of International Coastal Clean-up Day, a project of Ocean Conservancy, the team at Dyer Island Conservation Trust (DICT), in partnership with Marine Dynamics Shark & Whale Tours, Marine Dynamics Academy, African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary, and a host of other dedicated organisations and volunteers, came together to make a tangible difference to our coastal environment at Danger Point. #Seathechange [...]
At the Dyer Island Conservation Trust (DICT), our mission is to protect and preserve the remarkable marine environment of Gansbaai, South Africa. Founded in 2006 by Marine Dynamics CEO Wilfred Chivell, the Trust is dedicated to ensuring the long-term future of the species and habitats within the Great Dyer Island area. The Importance of Declaring the Great Dyer Island Area an [...]
