Daily Blog: 18 November 2024
Today, we were treated to warm, calm weather out at sea, making for a fantastic day!
GUEST SPEAKER
Dr. Anton Wolfaardt has dedicated 30 years to seabird and marine conservation, starting as a seabird field researcher on Marion Island in 1994. He later worked on Dassen Island as a researcher and conservation manager, followed by a role as Regional Ecologist for CapeNature. In 2008, Anton moved to the Falkland Islands to serve as the ACAP Coordinator for the UK South Atlantic Overseas Territories, where he conducted fieldwork in South Georgia, Tristan da Cunha, and Gough Island. After returning to South Africa in 2013, he continued his seabird conservation work as an environmental consultant, lecturer, and guide. Since 2021, he has been leading the Mouse-Free Marion Project.
Marion Island, the larger of the two sub-Antarctic Prince Edward Islands, is a critical breeding ground for seabirds and wildlife, including half of the world's Wandering Albatrosses. However, the island faces a severe threat from House Mice, unintentionally introduced in the 19th century. A warmer, drier climate has led to an increase in mice populations, causing them to turn to seabirds as an alternative food source. The birds, having no defence against the attacks, are at risk of local extinction if the situation continues unchecked.
Fortunately, advances in rodent eradication techniques offer hope. The South African Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, in collaboration with BirdLife South Africa, is working to implement an ambitious project to remove the mice and restore Marion Island’s ecosystem. In a presentation, Dr. Anton Wolfaardt, Mouse-Free Marion Project Manager, will discuss this critical initiative to save the island's seabird populations.
Join us for the last Marine Evening for 2024. We look forward to seeing you there.
Extra parking is available at the back of the Great White House.
Remember to please put phones on silent.
Please RSVP as we need to make sure we do not overbook the Great White House venue.
Thank you so much for your attention and participation.
Date: Tuesday, 12 November 2024, 18:00 for 18:30
Venue: The Great White House, 5 Geelbek Street, Kleinbaai
Speaker: Mouse-free Marion, Dr Anton Wolfaardt, Project Manager
Entrance Fee: R50 p/p
RSVP: 11 November 2024 before 14:00
Marine Dynamics Shark Tours is an award-winning ecotourism and marine company in Gansbaai, South Africa. Dedicated to delivering outstanding marine experiences while preserving the environment, Marine Dynamics Shark Tours specialises in thrilling shark cage diving and Marine Big 5 tours in the area ...
View ProfileXplorio is your local connection allowing you to find anything and everything about a town.
Read MoreToday, we were treated to warm, calm weather out at sea, making for a fantastic day!
A beautiful day on the water for divers and guests on board Slashfin today!
With the sun shining throughout the day and temperatures rising, guests got to experience the refreshing Atlantic temperatures...
An early start welcomed the first adventurous divers of the day! Just minutes after launching, we spotted our first wildlife.
What an incredible day from start to finish, filled with thrilling encounters with Bronze Whaler sharks!
Join us for an engaging Marine Evening focused on the critical issue of ocean plastic waste, with Guest Speaker Mark Dixon.