AfricanDiver.com

I was referred to this article, written by Alan Straton of MyPE, by my friend Rainer Schimpf and which I’ve reproduced in full.

Boaters and the public, in the Eastern Cape, between Plettenberg Bay and East London, are being asked to keep a close eye out for the adult female Humpback whale that is entangled in netting and is expected to be in this area accompanied by her approximately 1 month old calf. Attempts made to try to free the nets off the whale, on Friday, in Plettenberg Bay, by volunteers of the SA Whale Disentanglement Network, were suspended, on Friday, after the adult whale appeared to get agitated by the rescue teams presence. Appeals were made to boaters and the public to be on the look-out for this whale (and her calf) but no sightings have been reported (by Sunday afternoon). Mike Meyer, SA Whale Disentanglement Network (SAWDN) says that they are hopeful that these two whales will be sighted and reported.

Whale calf swimming alongside her mom. Picture courtesy of Graham Anley.

On Saturday morning an SA Air Force (SAAF), 35 Squadron, Dakota (fixed wing aircraft), returning from East London to her base in Cape Town, volunteered to search for the whales while she flew overhead of the area where we expect these two whales to be (between Port Elizabeth and Plettenberg Bay) and although two whales were spotted by the 35 Squadron crew it was confirmed by them, on closer inspection, that these were not the same whales.

Only the adult female has netting wrapped around her torso, tail fin and dorsal fin (and not the calf).

Any sightings of these whales should be reported to the SEA RESCUE EMERGENCY NUMBER (EASTERN CAPE) 041-5071911.

SA Whale Disentanglement Network volunteers in Plettenberg Bay, St Francis Bay and Port Elizabeth are on high alert to respond to any reported sightings. SAWDN are urging boaters and the public not to try to attempt to disentangle the whales themselves as an operation of this nature is extremely dangerous due to the size and the unpredictable behaviour of these animals. The volunteers of the SA Whale Disentanglement Network are trained in these types of rescue operations and use specialised equipment. It is suspected that the fishing nets around this whale may be Tuna Purse Seine Nets not normally found in SA waters and SAWDN suspect that she may have gotten fouled in these nets further North beyond SA’s borders. (This is SAWDN’s suspicion and unless they recover the nets they cannot confirm this!).

The adult whale presently does not appear to be debilitated by the gear (nets). The effect of the drag of the net, on its migration South, is presently not known.

Source: mype on Sunday, August 29 @ 16:05:32 SAST

Here’s something very close to my heart; Dugongs. Our resident Western Indian Ocean Dugongs are in terrible danger from habitat destruction, gill netting and other forms of human-induced disturbance. The Endangered Wildlife Trust though, is doing something about it. I had the opportunity to meet Karen Allen of the EWT’s Dugong Emergency Recovery Project recently and she sent me this mail. Please have a read, download the attached pdf document and enter the competition to help the EWT raise funds to implement their project. It’s a minimal amount and your help will go a long way.

“Dear fellow ocean lovers, divers, and conservationists

Following a successful field trip to Mozambique’s idyllic Bazaruto Archipelago; home to the Western Indian Ocean’s last remaining viable Dugong population – I’m happy to report that their presence remains detectable! I spent a considerable amount of time spotting them from the air, and at close-range from a boat last week.

The unfortunate reality is that measures for their effective protection through law enforcement remain largely ineffective. The Endangered Wildlife Trust is endeavoring to resolve this, and to recover the Bazaruto Dugong population- which is estimated between 100 and 200 animals. THE DUGONG EMERGENCY RECOVERY PROJECT also aims to reduce the likelihood of entanglement in Gill nets, and alleviate human-induced disturbance on the endangered mammal and its habitat by partnering with local, regional, and National Government, other NGO’s, and International Conventions.

Bazaruto’s Dugong’s need your help, and the Emergency Protection Project needs your support.

Kindly find a raffle ticket attached which I’m encouraging you to circulate on your databases. Proceeds from the sales will fund implementation and operation of the 5-year Protection Project.

Dugongs are on the verge of extinction. SUPPORT critical conservation efforts to stabilize their numbers and protect their habitat.

Purchase a raffle and win.
Prize: A 3-NIGHT STAY AT MARLIN LODGE ON BENGUERRA ISLAND, INCLUDING RETURN FLIGHTS.

The Dugong Emergency Protection Project is a 5-year research, protection and community development programme that will rehabilitate the LAST REMAINING
VIABLE Dugong population resident to the Western Indian Ocean.

HOW TO SUPPORT AND WIN
Step 1:   Attached please find the Dugong Emergency Protection Project Raffle form. E-mail the competition answers to karena@ewt.org.za
Step 2:   Donate R100 to:     Endangered Wildlife Trust
Bank: First National Bank
Branch Name & Town: Rosebank, Johannesburg
Branch Code: 25 33 05
Account Number: 50371564219
Swift Code: FIRNZAJJ
Reference Number: EW024
Step 3:  IMPORTANT: Before your entry is considered, you will need to reference your deposit as: EW024, and either fax or email proof of payment.
Fax: 011 486 1506
Email: karena@ewt.org.za

The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) is one of southern Africa’s leading non-Governmental, non-profit, conservation organizations.  “Conservation in Action” lies at
the heart of all the EWT’s operations. Our dedicated and expert field staff strive to conserve threatened species and ecosystems by initiating practical research and
conservation programmes, implementing projects that mitigate threats facing species diversity and supporting sustainable natural resource management.  Please
visit our website for more details about our project www.ewt.org.za

Join us in our commitment to conserving our rich natural heritage for future generations.

Your support in this endeavor is appreciated. Kindly contact me should you require any further information.

Karen Allen
Dugong Emergency Recovery Project
Endangered Wildlife Trust
Tel: 002711 486 1102
Mobile: 0027 82 7286564
www.ewt.org.za”

Click here to download the entry form and then follow the steps as outlined by Karen above.

I’ve been calling around to find out what people are up to on International Coastal Cleanup day – the 25th of September (you can read more here). Seems some dive operators are doing their bit on the 18th of September (more on that to follow).

But here’s something really innovative and committed. Sandton Scuba, based smack-bang in the middle of the city of smoke (Johannesburg) are taking a long-term view to coastal cleanup. Now we all know that what we do inland, ends up in the sea via our rivers and streams but there seems to be very little that gets done to clean up our rivers. Sandton Scuba, with the Braamfontein Spruit and Jukskei River on their doorstep have undertaken to do a cleanup on their patch of the rivers.

They plan to have a jam-packed day with their clients doing what we all should be doing anyway. What’s even better is that they’ve registered their cleanup operation with PADI’s Project Aware so their efforts will be recorded.

If you’ve got nothing planned on Saturday the 25th, why not pop down to Sandton Scuba and lend a hand and meet some new people. Here are the details:

Sandton Scuba

Date and time: 25 September · 10:00 – 13:00

And here’s what they say: “Support Project Aware ! Bring your kids , friends and family and every little bit of litter that we collect will make an impact! Gloves and Bags supplied on the day! Bring and Braai after the cleanup!”

Marine debris, Red Sea.

Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup day is scheduled for 25 September and is held in partnership with Project Aware, among others.

According to the Project Aware website, last year, more than 30,000 AWARE Divers and volunteers from 92 countries documented and removed harmful litter surfacing with more than 91,000 plastic bottles and nearly 79,000 plastic bags. In total, the weight of all debris collected equaled the weight of 44 Orca whales or 222 small cars.

Also from the Project Aware website, here’s a list of 10 actions you can take:

Combat Marine Debris. What You Can Do:

1. Remove debris you see during every recreational dive or shoreline visit.
2. The number one item found in cleanups is cigarette filters. Always dispose of them properly and never overboard.
3. Reduce, reuse and recycle.
4. Avoid buying plastic products.
5. Be aware of everything you buy and avoid excessive packaging.
6. Demand improved and increased number of recycling facilities for your area.
7. Properly dispose of all pieces of fishing line, net or other associated litter.
8. Keep plastics and rubbish off the ground and the ocean floor.
9. Keep storm drains and shorelines free of rubbish.
10. Get involved in underwater and shoreline cleanups with Project AWARE year-round or during September’s International Cleanup Day events.

For more information visit Project Aware or Ocean Conservancy’s websites.

If you know of any cleanups being held in Africa, please let us know and we’ll post them here.

It is said that Coffee Bay got its name when a ship carrying coffee beans ran aground in the vicinity. Apparently this was in 1893. It is also rumoured that some of the stranded coffee beans took root and grew into small coffee shrubs but failed to mature owing to the salt content in the soil. All of this is a great pity because there’s nothing I like more than a great cup of coffee to start my morning.  And today, I needed that coffee. Sometime during the previous night the weather Gods had turned the tables on us and blew up a stormy, grumpy and wave-filled sea. White horses stretched to the horizon and interestingly shaped waves crashed onto the launch beach.

With more than a little anticipation in our hearts and lumps in our throats we launched into the waves and headed out to sea. Leaving the shelter of the bay we headed south for a few kilometres to get some photographs of the famous and iconic Hole-in-the-Wall. The afternoon sun had settled behind the structure the previous day, which made for dull and uninteresting photography. So, our mission this morning was to photograph the Hole from the seaward side.

Hole in the Wall from the other side

This was the last time the cameras saw any light as the swells and rough sea had us all holding on to pontoons, foot straps and tank-racks as our intrepid Kamikaze Kaiser skipper navigated his way to Port St Johns.We weren’t the only ones having a hard time though. Gannets, Skua’s and Petrels flapped aimlessly against the wind and eventually settled to float in the swelling and moving sea.  We forced the Kaiser to stop for lunch and dined on cheese and tomato sandwiches while bobbing in between swells. Although the ride to Port St Johns was rough it was exciting and a good reminder of how lucky we had been with the weather the previous days. The other good thing about this ride was that it meant the last day of dining on cheese and tomato sandwiches; a regular lunchtime fare.

Port St Johns

Port St Johns river mouth

Port St Johns was a welcome sight and it took very little motivation for our crew to load the boat onto its trailer and ensconce ourselves in our hotel for the night. Well, if only for an hour or two … just before sunset we raced to the Port St Johns airport (airfield) to catch the sunset and quaff a few celebratory beers before heading out to dinner at the famous Delicious Monster restaurant.

Sunset at Port St Johns airfield

Celebration time

Delicious Monster restaurant

We’d travelled some 600 or more kilometres by sea from Port Elizabeth to Port St Johns. Along the way we were privileged to share the sea with:

• Bottlenose Dolphin;
• Common Dolphin;
• Brydes Whales;
• Southern Right Whales;
• Humpback Whales;
• Cape Gannet;
• Skua;
• African Penguin; and
• one cargo ship.

We’d planned this trip on a whim and in order to explore the marine diversity of the Eastern Cape and Transkei coast and we were not disappointed. The marine diversity is staggering and the off-shore encounters legendary. The people we met along the way were friendly and welcoming and there is no doubt in our minds that we South Africans must do everything in our power to protect, preserve and treasure the oceans that run along our coastlines and sustain us.

Download the October issue of African Diver for the full report and more images.

Mazeppa Bay to Coffee Bay

After the welcome break on shore for a day, we were more than ready to get back on the water. It was another glorious day with little wind and mild swells. We knew we were in for a great day as we’d seen several Humpback Whales breaching in the distance. Today’s route was to take us from Mazeppa Bay to Coffee Bay, a distance of some 76 kilometres by sea.

But first we had to navigate the launch from Mazeppa Bay. Our Skipper, the Kamikazi Kaiser, safely launched us through the Mazeppa surf but not without having to punch a growler that threatened to upend us and all our expensive photographic equipment.

Rainer Schimpf, the Kamikazi Kaiser

Somewhat relieved and pumped full of adrenaline we set out to look for Humpback Whales. As usual we first came across a pod of Bottlenose Dolphin working the inshore waves and as usual, their curiosity got the better of them and they rushed out to investigate our boat.

Bottlenose Dolphin

Further along, we came across a herd of cows cruising the beach … as seems to happen on this magnificent coastline. The coastline was enthralling. Rolling hills that plunged down to pristine beaches interchanged with craggy rock formations that stood valiantly against a sea that slowly eroded all in its path.

Cows on the beach

Holiday homes on Transkei coast

Holiday homes on Transkei coast

Transkei coastline

Transkei coastline

Our team was completely taken by the topography and landscape and we almost missed a mother Humpback Whale escorting her calf.  The little calf must have been newly born as it was still very grey and very small in comparison to its mother. Full of the joy’s of spring it lob- tailled often and kept its mother busy keeping it on the journey north.

Mother Humpback Whale tail fluke

Humpback Whale mother & Calf

Humpback Whale calf lob tails

Humpbak Whale calf

Mindful of her duty to her calf we left them in peace and headed out to sea to where a cargo ship was slowly cruising northwards.

Unicorn Line cargo ship

We followed the cargo ship for a while until distracted by a leaping, breaching Humpback. This Humpback breached at least 12 times when we were close enough to it and it didn’t seem to mind our presence. After several breaches it was joined by two other Humpbacks and all three dived for what seemed like ages. Finally our breacher surfaced and the other two went on their way as did our breaching whale. Was it some kind of whale caucus meeting? Who knows, but we were ecstatic to be witness to it all.

Breaching Humpback Whale

Breaching Humpback Whale