Championing the Great Dyer Island Area’s Bid for Marine Protected Area Status
Marine Dynamics, an award-winning ecotourism and marine company, is committed to offering exceptional marine experiences and preserving the marine environment. Based in Gansbaai, South Africa, Marine Dynamics provides captivating shark cage diving experiences and Marine Big 5™ tours, showcasing the rich marine biodiversity of the region.
Benefits of Declaring the Greater Dyer Island Area an MPA:
Marine Dynamics is dedicated to safeguarding the Great Dyer Island area for future generations. We are actively engaged in discussions to have this area declared a Marine Protected Area (MPA). The establishment of the Great Dyer Island Area as an MPA would bring numerous benefits, including:
- Enhanced Protection: Ensuring the preservation of critical habitats that support a diverse range of marine life, including endangered species like the African penguin and great white shark.
- Increased Biodiversity: Promoting a healthy marine ecosystem that can thrive and support a wide variety of species.
- Sustainable Ecotourism: Offering eco-friendly tourism opportunities that provide economic benefits to local communities while fostering environmental stewardship.
- Research and Education: Providing a living laboratory for scientific research and educational initiatives that can lead to better conservation practices and policies.
The Dyer Island Conservation Trust
Founded in 2006 by Marine Dynamics CEO Wilfred Chivell, the Dyer Island Conservation Trust (DICT) operates in the incredible marine environment of Gansbaai in the Overstrand area of the Western Cape. This region is home to the Marine Big 5™ – sharks, Southern right whales, the endangered African penguin, a breeding colony of Cape Fur seals, various dolphin species, and a plethora of seabirds.
Together with eco-tourism partners Marine Dynamics, the Trust conducts valuable research, conservation, and education initiatives. Financial support from these companies is crucial in fundraising and sustaining the Trust’s activities.
Our Mission and Key Projects
Our Mission:
- Discover: Conduct world-class scientific research to understand this globally important marine ecosystem.
- Protect: Translate knowledge into evidence-based conservation initiatives and legislation to ensure the long-term future of the species living here.
- Educate: Inform and actively involve local communities, legislators, and visitors in achieving our conservation goals for the benefit of all.
Key Projects:
- African Penguin Conservation: Includes a nest project to protect penguins during the fledgling stage and a rehabilitation facility, the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary, opened in 2015.
- Shark Research: Marine biologists conduct tagging and tracking, behavioural surveys, wound healing studies, environmental parameter monitoring, and population studies.
- Whale and Dolphin Research: Support ongoing research efforts on these magnificent creatures.
- Marine Animal Rescue: Rescue operations, strandings, and coastline sampling.
- Environmental Education Programme (DEEP): A three-year educational programme for young learners, measuring individual impact and growth.
- Marine Pollution Efforts: Initiatives such as the unique fishing line bin project, monthly beach clean-ups, and Project Storm – a stormwater catchment project.
Celebrating MPA Day
Today, we celebrated by inviting our Tourism and Conservation Partners and local schools to explore the captivating Rocky Shores of Danger Point. After exploring the rock pools everyone joined in on a beach clean-up. This event was part of a global campaign where conservation companies and non-profits worldwide hosted similar activities to raise awareness of the importance of Marine Protected Areas. The goal is ambitious yet vital: to achieve 30% protected areas by 2030. Currently, only 17% of the world’s land and a mere 8% of marine areas are under protection. By uniting our efforts, we can protect these precious ecosystems, ensuring they thrive for future generations.
”Celebrating Marine Protected Areas is crucial for the youth, as it fosters a sense of responsibility and connection to our natural world. By protecting these vital ecosystems, we are securing a healthier and more sustainable future for the next generation. Our efforts today are a promise to our children that they will inherit a thriving and vibrant ocean. This celebration is not just about preserving the environment; it’s about nurturing the stewards of tomorrow”.
– Pinkey Ngewu, Dyer Island Conservation Trust Environmental Education Programme Educator.
Special thanks to the Marine Dynamics Academy, Gansbaai Tourism, Cape Nature, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Gansbaai Primêr, Masakhane Primary, Laerskool Gansbaai, Nettie Geerdts and her family.