From 16 to 23 February, the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation’s Turtle Conservation Centre team embarked on their 2026 Turtle Road Trip along the Garden Route and Southern Cape coastlines — connecting with key role players in turtle rescue and raising awareness ahead of the annual turtle hatchling stranding season.
Siyolise Bezu, one of the passionate Turtle Rescue Team members.
“The Road Trip is about connecting with established and new partners to further the knowledge and know-how around turtle rescues along our coasts. At the Turtle Conservation Centre, we believe that the passion and interest of various organisations and members of the public along South Africa’s coast are an essential part of the turtle conservation work that we do,” said Talitha Noble-Trull, Turtle Conservation Centre Manager.
How to save a sea turtle
Led by the Aquarium’s Turtle Conservation Centre, the team travels the Western Cape coastline each year ahead of the hatchling stranding season, which begins towards the end of March. During this period, hundreds of tiny sea turtles are pushed off course from the warm Agulhas Current by storms and cold fronts, washing up along our beaches exhausted and hypothermic. They must be rescued quickly and transported for specialised care and rehabilitation before they can eventually be released back into the wild.
“The Western Cape coastline boasts an incredible Turtle Rescue Network of over 2 000 people who are making a real difference to turtle conservation in South Africa. The Road Trip is an opportunity to meet these people face-to-face and show our appreciation,” said Tracy Whitehead, Turtle Rescue Network Coordinator.
On Sunday, 22 February, the Turtle Rescue team arrived in Kleinbaai, Gansbaai. The Whale Room at the Great White House was packed with residents eager to sign up and become turtle rescuers.
a Packet Whale Room at the Great Whitehouse Restaurant in Kleinbaai, Gansbaai.
“The most important lesson we learnt is that you should never put these baby turtles back into the ocean,” said Christine Wessels from Marine Dynamics and the Dyer Island Conservation Trust. “Gently pick the turtle up and place it on a soft cloth — ensuring its tiny nails won’t get caught — inside a ventilated container with no water. Then immediately call the Turtle Rescue Hotline.”
“It was incredible listening to this passionate team and learning more about the dangers of ghost fishing gear, nets and plastic pollution to these important role players in a healthy marine ecosystem,” Christine added. She was joined by many locals, Marine Dynamics biologists, guides, volunteers, and personnel from their sister shark cage diving company.
Christine also shared that just last week, members of the public alerted the Dyer Island Conservation Trust team to a deceased loggerhead turtle found at Kruismansbaai near Danger Point on 4 February 2026. Initial assessment suggests the cause of death was entanglement in lost fishing gear and ropes — a heartbreaking reminder of how marine debris impacts ocean wildlife.
The saddest picture…entangled and drowned, because of fishing gear.
A DICT biologist collected samples from the turtle, and the genetic testing results will be shared with the Turtle Rescue Team. The fishing gear was also removed to prevent further entanglements.
Dr Loraine Shuttleworth, Head of Research at DICT and Operations Manager, Hennie Otto, collecting the fishing gear to avoid further damage to sea life.
Lost or abandoned fishing gear, known as “ghost gear”, continues to drift through our oceans long after it has been discarded. It can entangle turtles, seals, dolphins, seabirds and other marine species, often causing prolonged suffering and death. Ghost gear may persist for decades, making it one of the most harmful and deadly forms of marine pollution.
We urge members of the public, visitors, and especially fishermen to dispose of fishing gear responsibly and safely. A simple act of care can prevent immense suffering and help protect the marine life that depends on healthy oceans.
Save These Numbers — Be Part of the Solution
Turtle Rescue Hotline: 083 300 1663
Penguin Rescue Hotline: +27 (0)82 907 5607
The African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary, together with the Dyer Island Conservation Trust, forms part of the Turtle Rescue Network.
From our side at Marine Dynamics Shark and Whale Tours, and the Dyer Island Conservation Team, we would like to thank Tracy Whitehead (Turtle Rescue Network Coordinator), Mike Bayer, Laura du Toit, Sangesakhe Speelman, Talitha Noble-Trull, Inge Adams and Siyolise Bezu for visiting us. We had such a great time spent with you, and thank you for your dedication to our oceans! Together, we’ll find that pot of gold!
