This Rockhopper Penguin, typically found on remote Southern Ocean islands, made an unexpected stop on a beach in Arniston, South Africa – thousands of kilometers from home! Found injured and underweight (likely from a dog bite), Rocky was brought to the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary (APSS) on 1 February. Thanks to the expert care of our team, led by penguin [...]
The Marine Dynamics and Dyer Island Conservation Trust teams were thrilled to host three teams from the DARWIN200 planetary conservation initiative, a project aiming to change the world for the better by reconnecting people with nature and building a more sustainable future. DARWIN200 centres around the 2023–2025 Global Voyage, retracing Charles Darwin’s historic journey aboard HMS Beagle. The initiative focuses on [...]
In celebration of Earth Day 2025, the Dyer Island Conservation Trust joined forces with Gansbaai Tourism to host a beach clean-up at the Gansbaai Harbour—and what a successful day it turned out to be! With the global Earth Day theme “Our Power, Our Planet”, which also encourages community engagement and inspiring collective action to care for our planet. Our beach clean-up [...]
Marine Dynamics and the Dyer Island Conservation Trust were excited to welcome our second DARWIN200 group to Kleinbaai, Gansbaai. DARWIN200 is a planetary conservation initiative that aims to change the world for the better. They are sailing a historic tall ship around the world, retracing Charles Darwin’s voyage aboard HMS Beagle two centuries ago. “Using our ship as a floating laboratory [...]
The National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (NEMBA) has clear regulations to protect marine species, particularly whales. According to the Threatened or Protected Marine Species (TOPS) regulations, all vessels (motorised or unmotorised) as well as drones, microlights, helicopters, and airplanes must maintain a minimum distance of 300 meters from the animal. This restriction applies both at sea and in the air, ensuring [...]
The month of March has been internationally declared a time to celebrate the vital work that social workers do every day, throughout the year. Social Workers having fun! On Friday, 28 March 2025, the Marine Dynamics team welcomed Minister Jaco Londt and the Western Cape Government Department of Social Development to the Great White House restaurant, giving them an [...]
On Tuesday 4 March, the Dyer Island Conservation Trust and Marine Dynamics team were alerted of a stranded eagle ray, Myliobatis aquila, at Franksraal beach. Upon arrival, marine guides Sandra Hörbst, Susy Alexandersen and skipper Hennie Odendaal identified an additional ray stranding of the same species. One individual appeared to be a recent stranding whilst the second was slightly degraded hinting [...]
The HMS Birkenhead is known worldwide for the bravery of the men who, under the captain’s command, stood back with the motto "women and children first." Also referred to as HM Troopship Birkenhead or Steam Frigate Birkenhead, she was one of the first iron-hulled ships built for the Royal Navy. Initially designed as a steam frigate, she was later converted into [...]
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 [...]
The KruShan Foundation, led by Kruger and Shannon du Plessis, has been a crucial partner for the Dyer Island Conservation Trust and its African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary, in the fight to save the critically endangered African Penguin and support marine conservation efforts in the Overstrand region. From funding a Seabird Ranger on Dyer Island to supporting medical care at the [...]
