There are a number of conservation initiatives in place at Plettenberg Bay that demonstrate the collective efforts of stakeholders dedicated to protecting the marine environment and its inhabitants. These include ongoing data collection and monitoring for the National Endangered Humpback Dolphin consortium (SouSA), and a project preventing Bryde’s whale entanglement in fishing gear. As a result of this project, gear modifications and updates to fishing permit regulations are now enforced at a ministerial level and have resulted in no further entanglements to date.
National boat-based whale watching regulations ensure responsible and sustainable practices within the industry.
A locally trained whale disentanglement crew operates in collaboration with the South African Whale Disentanglement Network (SAWDN) and the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI).
A collaborative effort between industry stakeholders, citizen scientists, and researchers involves reporting cetacean sightings through the Seafari App.
CapeNature conducts water quality testing to vigilantly monitor potential sources of pollution into Plettenberg Bay, while Bitou Municipality has taken the lead in coordinating a volunteer beach cleaning campaign to collect washed-up nurdles.
Helpful links
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