Blog

Bottlenose Dolphin Stranding – October 2024

On Thursday 10 October 2024, the Marine Dynamics team received a report of a stranded dolphin at the Walker Bay Nature Reserve, just before the iconic Klipgat Caves. The team, consisting of biologists and guides, Amy Webber, Sandra Hörbst, Sonja Fleck and Marine Dynamics Academy scientific intern Erika, drove to the site before descending to the beach where the dolphin could [...]

African Penguin Awareness Day 2024

Internationally, October 12 is recognized as African Penguin Awareness Day. South Africans are painfully aware that our beloved "tuxedoed locals" might face extinction in the wild within the next few years. That’s why we are celebrating another milestone at the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary (APSS). Vuka Lou, an African Penguin, returns to her home colony on Dyer Island after 153 [...]

No Picnic for Little Teddy

On 17 August, our marine wildlife rehabilitator, Xolani Lawu, received an urgent call from Arniston about a special visitor—a Subantarctic fur seal—found weak along the coast. Knowing that this young seal had traveled an extraordinary distance and needed immediate care, Xolani drove the 100 kilometers to Arniston. By 20:00 that evening, they arrived safely back at the African Penguin and Seabird [...]

Celebrating Our Marine Heritage with an African Penguin Release on Dyer Island!

On Heritage Day, the Marine Dynamics and Dyer Island Conservation Trust teams had the honor of releasing two adult African Penguins and seven penguin chicks back onto Dyer Island. The Trust works closely with our conservation partners at CapeNature, who manage the Dyer Island Nature Reserve. Colleagues joined us for a special trip to the island to share in this memorable [...]

Baited Remote Underwater Video Deployments – 2024

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 [...]

September 23rd, 2024|Uncategorized|

Shortfin Mako Shark Dissection – September 2024

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 [...]

September 23rd, 2024|Uncategorized|

International Coastal Clean-up Day: Volunteers Unite for a Sweeping Success at Danger Point

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 [...]

September 21st, 2024|Uncategorized|

Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries visits Dyer Island Conservation Trust and projects.

The Marine Dynamics Team had the honour of meeting Dion George, Minister of Environment, Forestry, and Fisheries, today. It was a great opportunity to gather around the table and share the important conservation work we do at the Dyer Island Conservation Trust. We showcased our non-consumptive marine eco-tourism operations, such as boat-based whale watching and diving with bronze whaler sharks. Additionally, [...]

Marine Protected Areas Day 2024

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 [...]

Acoustic Receiver (ATAP) Retrieval & Deployment – July 2024

On Sunday, 21 July, marine biologist Amy Webber, volunteer manager Etienne Roets, skipper Hennie Odendaal and 2 of the Marine Dynamics Academy scientific interns left Kleinbaai Harbour aboard research vessel Lwazi. In collaboration with the Acoustic Tracking Array Platform (ATAP), the team from the Dyer Island Conservation Trust and Marine Dynamics Academy went out with the goal of retrieving previous receivers [...]