Three days celebrating our coastline, marine conservation and responsible tourism in the Overstrand
All three Marine Dynamics vessels have received Blue Flag certification for the 2026–2027 season, an achievement we are proud to celebrate in a year that marks 25 years of Blue Flag in South Africa and 100 years of the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA).
From 6–8 October, the Overstrand hosted a programme bringing together people from tourism, conservation, research and government to celebrate these milestones, share knowledge and recognise the work being done to protect our coastline.
A day at sea and behind the scenes of conservation
On 7 October, one group headed out to sea with Marine Dynamics Shark & Whale Tours for a whale-watching trip, while others visited the Klipgat Caves in Walker Bay with CapeNature.
The groups later came together at the African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary, where Xolani Lawo, Senior Bird Rehabilitator introduced them to the sanctuary’s work. Guests learnt about the penguins currently receiving care and why artificial nests are being built to provide African penguins with suitable places to breed.
The afternoon continued at the Marine Dynamics Academy Lodge, where Dickie Chivell spoke about seal disentanglement on Geyser Rock. This also aligned with WESSA’s Stop the Strangle campaign.
Biologists from White Shark Diving Company and Marine Dynamics then discussed the role of shark cage diving in shark conservation, including its contribution to community, research and education.
Protecting people and the marine life around them
One of the important conversations during the programme was the need to keep improving how we protect our marine environment, including the sharks that inhabit our waters.
Shark nets and drumlines form part of the measures used to protect bathers. While keeping people safe is essential, these methods kill sharks and other marine animals. This raises an important question: how can South Africa continue to protect bathers while giving greater consideration to the lives of the animals sharing our coastline?
Non-lethal alternatives and improved monitoring deserve continued research and consideration as part of this conversation. Bather safety and marine conservation should not be treated as mutually exclusive goals. It is a message that resonates with our work at Marine Dynamics. Through responsible shark cage diving, research and education, we have the opportunity to help people better understand sharks and their importance in the marine ecosystem.
The evening wrapped up with time to connect with others working in tourism and conservation. Guests enjoyed catering by the Great White House, wine tasting with Lomond Wine Estate and beer tasting with Whale Coast Brewing Company.
Celebrating 25 years of Blue Flag in South Africa
On 8 October, the celebrations culminated at Grotto Beach in Hermanus with the Blue Flag and Green Coast Award Ceremony, co-hosted by the Overstrand Municipality.
The programme included presentations on coastal conservation, marine biodiversity and pollution, white sharks and ecosystem health, environmental education and sustainable development.
WESSA CEO Cindy-Lee Cloete stated: “Our ambition is to protect people, while the ocean thrives around them, including sharks.”
Dr Alison Towner spoke about white sharks and ecosystem health, highlighting the importance of continued research and monitoring. She also mentioned the detrimental effect of shark nets and drumlines on the marine animals and more specifically sharks. South Africa’s history of protecting great white sharks since 1991 and the work of the Acoustic Tracking Array Platform (ATAP) are important parts of the wider conservation picture.
Other presentations explored how coastal communities can support conservation, the role of accessible environmental education and the ongoing work needed to address marine pollution.
The ceremony recognised the beaches, operators and communities working to uphold Blue Flag and Green Coast standards. For Marine Dynamics, the certification of all three vessels for the coming season is an important part of this wider commitment to responsible marine tourism.
Bringing marine conservation to life through VR
Marine Dynamics also brought virtual reality (VR) headsets to the event, giving attendees the opportunity to experience our work in a different way. The experiences covered shark cage diving, Marine Big 5 tours, penguin rehabilitation and penguin releases. They gave guests a glimpse of what happens at sea and behind the scenes of our conservation work.
The response was enthusiastic, with attendees describing the experiences as “mind-boggling” and an “incredible educational tool”.
Technology offers another way to bring people closer to marine wildlife, particularly those who may never have the opportunity to experience these environments in person. It can also open the door to conversations about the animals themselves and the challenges they face.
The certification is an achievement for our team, but our work does not stop there. From sharing the ocean with our guests to supporting research, rehabilitating seabirds and helping people understand the challenges facing marine wildlife, there is always more to be done.
