Algoa Bay used to proudly hold dolphin shows in an oceanarium, but has since grown to love and appreciate cetaceans in their natural environment and advocate their protection. There are no longer any captive whales or dolphins in Port Elizabeth, and the local community is outspoken against keeping cetaceans in captivity.
One unique aspect of Algoa Bay is the sheer number of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins, which results in frequent encounters between people and this species. Thankfully, boat users that are out for recreational purposes are respectful of the laws put in place by the Department of Environmental Affairs and maintain a good distance from cetaceans in the area. Algoa Bay has changed the reality of the cruel captive dolphin industry into a success story of dolphin watching in the wild.
In September 2022, Shell was banned from using seismic blasts to explore for fossil fuels off South Africa’s Wild Coast, marking a great success for the environment as well as marine life. Local environmental groups, including Raggy Charters and Algoa Bay Conservation, helped to support the campaign and court case against Shell’s destructive activities.
Helpful links
Apply to become a Wildlife Heritage Area
