Integrated Report

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Integrated Report ENDANGERED WILDLIFE TRUST INTEGRATED REPORT 2015 – 2016 INTEGRATED REPORT 2015 2016 1 2 INTEGRATED REPORT 2015 2016 ENDANGERED WILDLIFE TRUST TABLE CONTENTS MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN 2 GOVERNANCE 110 MESSAGE FROM THE CEO 3 FUNDING AND SUSTAINABILITY 118 SNAPSHOT 6 AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS 121 WHO WE ARE 7 WHO WE WORK WITH 122 BIG PICTURE 8 SUPPORTERS 123 LOOKING INWARDS 10 BOARD & TRUSTEES 126 PROGRAMMES 26 CONTACT US 127 THE VOICE OF THE EWT 102 OUR PASSIONATE PEOPLE 106 The Endangered Wildlife Trust is a signatory of the International Union for Conservation of Nature INTEGRATED REPORT 2015 2016 3 MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN We are faced with the glaring fact needs to nurture us. We need more conservers than consumers that there are far more consumers to ensure a sustainable future for all of God’s creatures as I than conservers in our world. cannot help believing that they were all created for a purpose. It This state of affairs is a result of the current predominant mode is vital that we instil a conservation culture in our youth – which of production which requires increasing consumption for its should start in our homes and must prevail through all stages perpetuation. of our youth’s education, training and development. Society must play its part to ensure that it’s “cool to conserve”. I do not accuse the economic modes of production or choose to select one which I believe is best, or criticise the ones I I am extremely privileged to serve as the Chairman of the EWT. I perhaps would like to single out as having caused the most applaud our CEO, Yolan Friedmann, the devoted management damage to our planet. I stare at the moral fabric of humankind and staff of the EWT, as well as the dedicated Trustees and and realise that there have to be some very significant changes Board members of one of the oldest and truly significant made in a very short time-frame if we are to deal effectively with conservation organisations in our country. the serious damage that man continues to inflict on our planet. This team has, once again, produced a sterling set of outcomes We are blessed with an ever improving analytical aptitude of over the past year which has seen the Trust’s performance all of the physical aspects of our planet, we take giant leaps and stature improve in all aspects of our endeavour. For this I in our ability to process and analyse data, we perfect scientific thank them. Their efforts have been rewarded with numerous processes and we create awe-inspiring technology. However, awards and recognition that has been garnered through the the vast majority of these efforts are not aimed at protecting evident success of our advocacy efforts and solid results on the most vital and precious gift – our planet the earth, as a the ground. Our Trustee ranks have grown in the past year first priority. as we appointed numerous new Trustees whose seasoned expertise has contributed greatly in broadening our scientific I believe that the exponential growth of the human population and governance capabilities. will continue unabated as I am unable to see how our global community, with its current divisions, could reach some form My sincere appreciation to the growing numbers of the Trust’s of world consensus on how we advance towards a solution donors whose support and generosity sustain our work. Thank to deal with this elephant in the room. This, I believe, will be you all for your contributions – you are justly recognised as the the case in the short and medium term – until we are forced conservation doers of our society. to face the harsh consequences of this reality. The numbers don’t lie. Therefore we need to realise that the earth needs to #cooltoconserve prepare to maximise its productive ability to sustain the ever increasing need for the sustenance of humankind. This can only be done with a healthy planet. Beware those who believe that Sincerely, Mother Nature can be tamed solely to suit the misguided needs of mankind. Nature requires a very structured and symbiotic state to remain in balance, to enable us to nurture all who rely on her sustenance. Thus I implore all of you to regard conservation as a necessity for human survival, not just for the protection of wildlife and critically endangered ecological areas. We all need to identify with the growing conservation consciousness which should Dirk Ackerman form the basis of our moral evolution. We have made tremendous strides in our understanding and commitment to sustainability in the past years. There is continuous advocacy for us to improve and evolve our perspective in this regard. Our companies and organisations are now required to report on their sustainability plans and there is an ever-growing environmental awareness. I would like to ask each and every one of you to dedicate your efforts and support to the continued acceleration in this vital trend in placing sustainability at the forefront of our commercial endeavours. We must remain committed to the preservation of the fauna and flora which are the key ingredients Mother Nature 2 INTEGRATED REPORT 2015 2016 ENDANGERED WILDLIFE TRUST MESSAGE FROM THE CEO In an ideal world, one would not need NGOs. In an even close- this suite of global goals aimed to-perfect world, basic services and needs would be met by at creating a better, more governments, the private sector and individuals. Civil society sustainable world for all. The organisations would serve as watch dogs and lobby groups diversity of work undertaken by the EWT is only achievable through only, mobilising for change. And the provision of life saving an expanding network of partners and throughout the 13 African and social development services would not fall, as they largely countries in which the EWT supports and drives conservation currently do, onto the shoulders of thousands of not-for-profit activities, we work with universities, governments, NGOs, social entities who rely on volunteers, donations and sponsorships to development organisations, the private sector and more. deliver on the promise of a society that is equitable, sustainable We are proud to have entered into the first conservation and prosperous. But we don’t live in a perfect world and, in partnerships with human health and reproductive rights South Africa in particular, the NGO community needs to grow organisations in several regions, as a means of supporting and expand its role, to address the burgeoning and complex the development of sustainable, healthy communities. needs of our societies, the planet on which we all live and the species with whom we share it. The EWT is registered as a Trust, and not a company under the Companies Act of 2008. Despite this, the EWT has In line with this trend, the Endangered Wildlife Trust has maintained always striven to achieve, and go beyond the expectations of a steady growth trajectory over the past few years, despite corporate governance excellence. The EWT’s Board of the tough economic climate. The previous financial reporting Management highlighted, in their annual review process at period revealed a 25% increase in revenue with a commensurate the end of 2015, small gaps in the composition of the Board, increase of 27% in project spend. The financials on pages and in the Board’s execution of their responsibilities in the 110–112 of this report demonstrate that we surpassed those area of IT Risk Governance. These were addressed in the figures in the 2015/6 financial year with an increase of around following months by inserting remedial actions into the annual 29% in programme spend and an increase of ~24% in revenue Board work plan and the introduction of a more rigorous risk across the EWT. This is somewhat extraordinary given that times framework for the EWT which now sits with the Board for remain tough and donors are becoming increasingly selective oversight. The EWT is fully compliant with all relevant new about who gets their money. legislation in South Africa including the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPI) and we appointed an Information and The EWT has not just been lucky. A carefully considered and Compliance Officer to ensure that the EWT remains abreast well implemented integrated strategy across the organisation of legislation and manages our risk, through a detailed has ensured that the Trust remains credible, relevant and compliance register. We have furthermore introduced a Health dependable to our donors and that the Paw is the Partner of and Safety Committee into the Trust, as well as policies to choice for our Planet. So how are we doing this? address bribery and corruption, kidnapping, and conflicts of interest. The rigorous oversight provided by our Board of The EWT operates within a dynamic strategic framework Management, the Audit and Finance Committee and the that clearly defines what we do, as well as where and Social, Ethics and Remuneration Committee of the EWT, how we do it, and critically, how we measure and adapt it offers our donors a sense of comfort and our staff a supportive accordingly. Our existing strategic framework of six Strategic backbone to retain our potion as a leader in excellence in Imperatives (see pages 12–25) was developed in 2012 and regular corporate governance. iterative processes have ensured that it remains fresh, relevant and, importantly, measurable. The EWT embarked on a Perhaps the single greatest strength of the EWT has always process in 2014 to establish a set of measurable conservation been, and remains, the passionate, driven people who make outcomes, through an integrated system of distinct targets it all happen.
Recommended publications
  • Shark Cage Diving Decision a Win for Paua Divers
    Shark cage diving decision a win for paua divers When word came through that the Court of Appeal had ruled in favour of New Zealand paua divers in their case against shark cage diving near Stewart Island, the reaction was one of jubilance. From the distant and isolated Faroe Islands, midway between Iceland and Norway, Paua MAC5 Chairman Storm Stanley couldn’t contain his excitement, despite no working phone. His emails expressed his utter relief at the decision. And, why wouldn’t he? New Zealand’s paua divers have been attempting to get shark cage diving shut down for years, and it is not because they are anti-business. It is because the activity poses such a risk to their divers that they won’t even put them in the water. There are two commercial cage diving companies operating around the Titi islands, a cluster of small islands located a short distance off the Stewart Island mainland. The islands are a rich paua source, only harvested by free dive and never with tanks, but also a rich source of food, in the way of seals, for the Great White shark. During the summer months the Titi Islands are home to a large population of seals and, in turn, attract a large population of Great White sharks. These are monster predators, growing up to six metres in length. They are cautious beasts, known to circle and identify prey before attacking. Despite the similarities between a seal and a wetsuit-clad paua diver, there have been no attacks on paua divers for 20 years but two minor attacks on others have been recorded.
    [Show full text]
  • Shark Mitigation and Deterrent Measures Submission 64
    The Efficacy and Regulation of Shark Mitigation and Deterrent Measures Submission to: Senate Environment and Communications References Committee by Peter Stephenson BSc., ADAS 2815.3, Master Class V February 2017 As a commercial diver and fisherman with over 35 years of diverse experience I write this submission due to my ever-increasing concerns about policies governing management of and research into shark populations. I began snorkelling at the age of 7 and was a keen spear fisherman and surfer for decades although I am currently no longer active in these sports. (partly due to increasing negative shark incidents) I have a BSc. In marine science from Flinders University and have completed a number of years of marine research. Over more than four decades I have spent tens of thousands of hours observing and studying the marine environment. In recent years, particularly after my friends Peter Clarkson and Greg Pickering were attacked by white sharks, I have been researching shark attacks, shark behaviour and the possible factors influencing negative shark/ human interactions. I have also witnessed aggressive shark behaviour first hand but have luckily escaped serious injury…. so far. I currently work as an abalone diver in the South Australian Central Zone Abalone Fishery. THIS IS A MAJOR WORKPLACE SAFETY ISSUE FOR ME! THE BAITING AND HARASSMENT OF SHARKS FOR TOURISM AND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH Despite legislation deeming the berleying, baiting, approach and harassment of white sharks illegal, governments grant exemptions and licences to tourism operators and scientists to conduct these activities. Despite years of research and observation, the level of conditioning of sharks by repeated berleying and baiting is still poorly understood and documented.
    [Show full text]
  • EWT Perspective on Baited Shark Cage Diving
    Endangered Wildlife Trust Perspective on Baited Shark Diving The Endangered Wildlife Trust’s (EWT) mission is to conserve threatened species and ecosystems in southern Africa to the benefit of all people. This statement represents the EWT’s position on the practice of baited shark diving. As a legal practice that falls within the ambit of a non-consumptive utilisation of sharks, we recognise that the baited shark diving industry contributes to both the country’s economy and the tourism sector. Even so, and despite protection measures, sharks are still vulnerable to consumptive exploitation by humans. This concern is compounded by recent research that shows both extremely low, and declining numbers of Great White Sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) in South Africa’s waters. Given several contentious issues that cloud the industry, the EWT does not presently support the practice of baited shark diving. What is baited shark diving? Baited shark diving refers to both the activity of a human being lowered into the sea in a protective steel cage, as well as free diving, in the close vicinity of sharks that have been attracted to a site with the use of bait. In South Africa, diving operators traditionally use chum – a mixture of minced tuna and sardines with fish oil that is mixed with seawater – to attract sharks to their boats. Cage dives typically target the Great White Shark as the marine equivalent of the ‘Big Five’ land mammals. In addition, operators may use bait lines and/or drag decoys behind their boat to lure sharks closer or entice them to breach.
    [Show full text]
  • Behavioural Responses of White Sharks to Specific Baits During Cage
    www.nature.com/scientificreports OPEN Behavioural responses of white sharks to specifc baits during cage diving ecotourism Edgar E. Becerril‑García1,2, Edgar M. Hoyos‑Padilla2,3*, Primo Micarelli4, Felipe Galván‑Magaña1 & Emilio Sperone5 This study describes the efect of diferent baits on the attraction, surface behaviour and conditioning of white sharks Carcharodon carcharias during local ecotourism activities. The sightings, behaviours, and pictures used for photographic identifcation were obtained during August to November 2012– 2014 onboard tourist boats in Guadalupe Island, Mexico. Four types of baits were used: (1) frozen bait; (2) frozen bait and natural chum; (3) fresh fsh bait; and (4) mackerel bags. Data were analysed according to sex, maturity and the total of sharks using 6,145 sightings of 121 white sharks. The type of bait showed no signifcant diference on the efectiveness to attracting sharks. Ethological analysis showed that the type of bait had a signifcant efect on the shark’s surface behaviour during its interactions with boats. Natural chum and fresh baits showed short term behavioural patterns constituted by increased number of violent interactions with the bait, while the frozen bait did not generate a defned behavioural pattern. Conditioning of white sharks was determined by the number of interactions and the consumption frequency of the bait. Fifty nine percent of sharks (n = 41) showed no conditioning, 36% (n = 25) showed a low risk and only 5% (n = 3) were found to have a high risk of conditioning. The results suggest that current ecotourism has no efect on the conditioning of the white sharks, and that all baits have a similar efectiveness for attracting the sharks.
    [Show full text]
  • White Shark Diving Company and Have an Experience Unlike Any Other
    in partnership with WHITE SHARK DIVING CO. SHARK RESEARCH INFORMATION EXPERIENCE MANUAL JOIN OUR CONSERVATION AND RESEARCH INITIATIVE at White Shark Diving Company and have an experience unlike any other. www.sharkcagedive.com [email protected] Tel: +(27)72 796 6799 Introduction Our Shark & Marine Research Institute is dedicat- ed to protecting and conserving sharks and other elasmobranchs, and safeguarding the health and vitality of our oceans. We are based in Gansbaai, South Africa, roughly two hours from Cape Town up the east coast. The bay we work in is an in- credibly rich ecosystem that provides a vital habitat for an array of marine life, including great white sharks. Our programme offers a unique opportunity to be white sharks - declining in number, our mission is involved with groundbreaking research studying to explore, discover and monitor our elasmobranch great whites, as well as the smaller shark and oth- species through various scientific research projects, er elasmobranch species along our coast, many of and in turn we hope to help protect the long term fu- which are data deficient. Our research is focused ture of these species by translating this knowledge on gaining much-needed information about these into evidence-based conservation initiatives. amazing and enigmatic creatures who are so cru- cial to our oceans yet have reached such a critical Come join us and make a positive difference to the mass. Through our work we hope to support their world’s oceans! preservation in the long-term. During your stay you will play a vital role in our field research, learning practical and theoretical skills including but not limited to great white shark observational data collection, great white shark dorsal fin analysis, ethical handling and angling of sharks, shark tagging and genetic sampling.
    [Show full text]
  • Best Practice Toolkit 4.0
    BEST PRACTICE TOOLKIT 4.0 / PROJECT AWARE Responsible Shark and Ray Tourism – A Guide to Best Practice 41 Al Hornsby © 4.1 SECTION FOUR BEST PRACTICE TOOLKIT TOOL 1: HOW DO YOU PERFORM? This tool helps assess the quality, performance and safety of a shark and ray tourism operation against best practice. Use this tool to see how you perform, or to determine what kind of operator you want to be, and then use the flowchart to provide guidance for how to address any issues. Go through each criteria and determine which box best represents you. Make a note of your score and then add them up at the end to determine what sort of operator you are on the flowchart.76 POOR FAIR GOOD EXCELLENT SELF CRITERIA ASSESSMENT SCORE = 1 SCORE = 2 SCORE = 3 SCORE = 4 TOTAL SCORE EDUCATION Operator provides little, if any, Brief overview of diving/ Basic briefing of diving/swimming Comprehensive briefing on diving/ information on the dive/swim and swimming conditions and conditions, animals, diver/swimmer swimming conditions and diver safety animals. animals. safety. with an emphasis on animal behavior. No guidelines provided on animal No guidelines provided on animal Basic information provided on animal Detailed guidelines and related interactions. interactions. interactions. signage on animal interactions. No information given about the No information given about the Basic information given about sharks, In-depth information about sharks, sharks, rays and their ecosystems. sharks, rays and their ecosystems. rays and their ecosystems. rays and their ecosystems provided. Some signage provided. IN-WATER A free-for-all with no Loose organization between Good organization and Effective strategy with strong organization.
    [Show full text]
  • Baseline and Predicted Changes for the Neptune Islands Group (Ron and Valerie Taylor) Marine Park
    Baseline and predicted changes for the Neptune Islands Group (Ron and Valerie Taylor) Marine Park DEWNR Technical report 2016/17 Photo by Andrew Fox Baseline and predicted changes for the Neptune Islands Group (Ron and Valerie Taylor) Marine Park Simon Bryars, James Brook, Craig Meakin, Chloe McSkimming, Yvette Eglinton, Robyn Morcom, Alison Wright and Brad Page Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, August 2016 DEWNR Technical report 2016/17 Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources GPO Box 1047, Adelaide SA 5001 Telephone National (08) 8463 6946 International +61 8 8463 6946 Fax National (08) 8463 6999 International +61 8 8463 6999 Website www.environment.sa.gov.au Disclaimer The Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources and its employees do not warrant or make any representation regarding the use, or results of the use, of the information contained herein as regards to its correctness, accuracy, reliability, currency or otherwise. The Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources and its employees expressly disclaim all liability or responsibility to any person using the information or advice. Information contained in this document is correct at the time of writing. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. © Crown in right of the State of South Australia, through the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources 2016 ISBN 978-1-925510-26-3 Preferred way to cite this publication Bryars, S., Brook, J., Meakin, C., McSkimming, C., Eglinton, Y., Morcom, R., Wright, A.
    [Show full text]
  • South Carolina
    $5.95 US/CAN scubah2omag.com SEPTEMBER 2015 | Vol 19 • Issue 10 SOUTH A SPECIAL SHARK CUBA CAROLINA CAGE DIVE AN ISLAND Touching A Piece In Montauk, Ny NATION Of History Lost In Time CONTENT Freediving Exploring freedom 6 SE South Carolina - Touch History 7 OUR AQUATIC WORLD: 7 A Personal Perspective Tech Camp - Redefining limits 10 NE A Special Shark Cage Dive 11 Guest Editorial By in Montauk, NY 11 Andy Lamb Three Oaks Recreation Area 14 Nebraska - Wet & Wild uring my youth, in the ‘50s and ‘60s, the oceans were MW 16 trumpeted as an unlimited source of protein to feed the South Dakota - Untapped 18 world’s ever increasing population. Magazine articles and 15 television programs proclaimed this glorious but totally false theory based upon no concept of reality. The vast expanse of the aquatic Drealm, beyond everyone’s comprehension, was perceived as endless. This Orca Network Commemorates 22 glorious concept was not based upon scientific reality. Campbell River Colours 23 And so a period of unfettered plundering of our planet’s aquatic living NW resources began. There were virtually no rules or limits. After all, “the 23 oceans are limitless.” Harvesting ran amok as consumptive users took advantage of ever improving technology. Images of overloaded nets and vessels sinking with precious cargo and smiling anglers proudly Surfing Dog Catches Waves 26 displaying poles festooned with almost countless sport caught fish. Southern Channel Islands 27 From my earliest memories, I have always loved fish. Initially, the SW only way I could interact directly with them was via a hook and line 27 connection.
    [Show full text]
  • Safety Guidelines for Commercial Shark Cage Diving
    Safety Guidelines for Commercial Shark Cage Diving This guidance contains advice for commercial shark cage diving operators to support the development of safety management plans Safety Guidelines for Commercial Shark Cage Diving Page 1 of 20 Safety Guidelines for Commercial Shark Cage Diving Last updated: May 2021 This document is uncontrolled if printed. Please refer to the Maritime New Zealand website for the latest version. In this guide 1. Overview 4 1.1 Purpose 4 1.2 Intended audience 5 1.3 Relationship to legislative requirements 5 1.4 Maritime rules 5 1.5 Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA) 5 1.6 Health and Safety at Work (Adventure Activities) Regulations 2016 5 1.7 Other legislation relevant to your operation 6 2. Minimum operating requirements 7 2.1 Safety management system 7 2.2 Certificate of survey 7 2.3 Audits 7 3. General harm prevention 8 3.1 Operating areas 8 3.2 Fitness to take part in operation 8 3.3 Age limits 8 3.4 Safety briefings and information 8 Safety Guidelines for Commercial Shark Cage Diving Page 2 of 20 3.5 Equipment 9 3.6 Emergency response plans and procedures 10 3.7 Recall of divers 10 3.8 Crewing ratios 10 3.9 Training, skills and experience 10 3.10 Pre and post trip procedures 11 3.11 Periodic reviews 11 3.12 Notifying accidents, incidents and mishaps 12 4. Specific identified hazards 13 4.1 Load shifting 13 4.2 Passenger crowding 13 4.3 Sharks 13 4.4 Drowning 17 4.5 Cold sea and air temperatures 18 4.6 Vessel drift 18 4.7 Other vessels in the area 18 5.
    [Show full text]
  • Top Dive Sites of the World Free
    FREE TOP DIVE SITES OF THE WORLD PDF Jack Jackson | 160 pages | 05 Dec 2013 | IMM Lifestyle Books | 9781780096407 | English | London, United Kingdom 50 Best Dive Sites in the World | Sport Diver Shipwrecks, nudibranchs and terrifying journeys under huge ice sheets all feature in our round-up of the top ten dive sites around the world. If you're unable to travel at the moment because of coronavirus but love scuba diving, our images will keep you underwater dreaming. It may be a humble creature, but the sardine can put a pride of lions or a herd of buffalo to shame. Almost every year around June, enormous shoals Top dive sites of the world the fish, millions strong and kilometres long, swim up the South African coast towards Mozambique. Once under water, it becomes apparent that the sardines have company. They have been tracked by thousands of hungry sharks, dolphins and game fish such as bluefish and tuna intent on gorging themselves silly on an incredibly easy target. The water here is nearly always Top dive sites of the world and the reefs exquisite. Wide fields of soft corals stretch off into the startlingly clear blue gulf, schools of anthias shimmering over the various fans, sea fingers and sea whips. Huge heads of stony, hard corals grow literally as big as a house, their limestone skeletons supporting an abundance of marine life, including turtles, rays Top dive sites of the world moray eels. Endless species of multicoloured fish goggle back at you from all sides. The reeftop is fairly flat and relatively shallow — around 8m deep — but when you swim to the edge you are looking into the abyss, m straight down a vertical wall of coral.
    [Show full text]
  • X-Ray Magazine L Issue 60
    Scuba Confidential :: Tech Talk – Idiot Buddies :: Portfolio – Erika Pochybova-Johnson Brazil Fernando de Noronha Caribbean GLOBAL EDITION Cayman Brac May 2014 Number 60 Polar Diving Antarctica Sweden Dalarö UW Photo Rebreathers Snoots Se7en Training Safety Culture INDONESIA'S Tech Gorontalo Art of Bailing Out 1 X-RAY MAG : 60 : 2014 COVER PHOTO BY MIKE BARTICK DIRECTORY X-RAY MAG is published by AquaScope Media ApS Frederiksberg, Denmark www.xray-mag.com PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF SENIOR EDITOR Peter Symes Michael Symes, PhD - Science Lionfish on reef, Gorontalo, Indonesia. Photo by Steve Jones [email protected] SECTION EDITORS contents PUBLISHER, MANAGING EDITOR Michael Arvedlund, PhD - Ecology & CREATIVE DIRECTOR Scott Bennett - Travel, Sharks Gunild Symes Andrey Bizyukin, PhD - Features [email protected] Larry Cohen - Photo & Video Kelly LaClaire - Marine Mammals ASSOCIATE EDITORS Catherine Lim - News, Books Scott Bennett, Toronto Roz Lunn - Equipment News [email protected] Bonnie McKenna - Turtles Catherine GS Lim, Singapore Michael Menduno - Tech [email protected] Robert Osborne - Features, Profiles Michael Menduno, Berkeley Ila France Porcher - Sharks [email protected] Don Silcock - Photo & Video Barb Roy, Vancouver [email protected] COLUMNISTS Gretchen Ashton - Dive Fitness Russia - Moscow Pascal Bernabé - Tech Talk Andrey Bizyukin, PhD Leigh Cunningham - Tech Talk [email protected] Andy Murch - Shark Tales Svetlana Murashkina, PhD Mark Powell - Tech Talk [email protected] Cindy Ross - GirlDiver Cedric Verdier -
    [Show full text]
  • Dyer Island Shark Cage Diving South Africa
    12 Dyer Island Shark Cage Diving South Africa This activity takes place in none other than Dyer Island waters; a small island located Southeast of Hermanus in the Western Cape on the Garden Route, and hosting a large colony of African penguins; 25,000 pairs. You will go shark cage diving in a perfect place otherwise known as “Shark Alley”. Appropriate right? What makes this location Another aspect that sets our form of travel so unique is its connection to a colony of 60,000 apart from the rest is our dedication to Cape fur seals that live in the nearby Geyser Rock. sustainable travel. We ensure that we as well These seals happen to be the favorite meal of the as our travellers invest in the local economy great white shark. What is most interesting is that and support the marine conservation efforts these animals are there because of the area’s including projects like African penguin nesting impressive ecosystem. This allows for travellers or shark research or environmental education, and divers to see more than just sharks. You will to name a few. have the opportunity to witness an array of exotic marine life such as whales, dolphins, seals, sharks The best time to visit is without doubt the and penguins. South African winter months, from May to August, the most active time for the sharks You will have access to marine biologists and and best migration period for Southern Right expert crewmembers. The staff will keep you safe whales and bottlenose dolphins. and well informed. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the sharks, their habitats, and their habits.
    [Show full text]