On 2 August, during one of Marine Dynamics' Marine Big 5 trips in the Dyer Island ecosystem, our team encountered a deceased adult southern right whale floating offshore. The carcass was examined using underwater footage, revealing trauma to the head that was highly consistent with a ship strike. The injuries included the loss of the upper jaw ahead of the eye, [...]
3 August 2026 For the past 20 years, since Wilfred Chivell founded the Dyer Island Conservation Trust, invaluable partnerships have been built not only with scientists from around the world, but also with dedicated individuals who play a vital role in protecting our marine wildlife. One such partnership is with Niel- and Pamela Falck, who live in Struisbaai, just over 80 [...]
Ocean Protection Needs Human Connection is the theme for this year's Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Day, reminding us that the future of our oceans depends on the actions we take together as communities. As custodians of the Greater Dyer Island coastline, the Dyer Island Conservation Trust (DICT) and Marine Dynamics proudly collaborated with CapeNature to host a community beach clean-up bringing [...]
On Friday, 24 July, a message popped up on our Whale Whisperer whale watching vessel group chat: "Possible diving petrel." The excitement was immediate. For avid birders like Marine Dynamics CEO Wilfred Chivell, marine biologist Sandra Hoerbst, and skippers Hennie Odendal and Hennie Otto, the message sparked instant excitement. The four of them were absolutely elated, immediately making plans to photograph [...]
On the morning of Sunday, 5 July, the Dyer Island Conservation Trust (DICT) stranding response team attended to a stranded Risso's dolphin found at Die Plaat between Hermanus and De Kelders. The animal was reported by a local fisherman, whose prompt notification allowed the team to document and investigate the stranding. The response team included Dyer Island Conservation Trust Head of [...]
The Marine Dynamics and Dyer Island Conservation Trust (DICT) teams were alerted on Wednesday, 1 July, by Jason Stafford of Ivanhoe Sea Safaris, who reported a deceased whale close to Gansbaai Harbour. The whale later washed up at Die Plaat, and our team immediately responded to assess the animal and begin documenting the stranding. Upon arrival, the team confirmed that the [...]
Earlier this year, two bronze whaler sharks (Carcharhinus brachyurus) were found washed ashore in Struisbaai, with clear signs of orca predation, lying only a few metres apart. As shark strandings are relatively uncommon and provide a valuable opportunity for research, the carcasses were recovered by Dickie Chivell, volunteer coordinator Ilizna du Plessis, and Marine Dynamics Academy volunteers before being placed into [...]
Ocean Protection Needs Human Connection is the theme for this year's Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Day, reminding us that the future of our oceans depends on the actions we take together as communities. As custodians of the Greater Dyer Island coastline, the Dyer Island Conservation Trust (DICT) and Marine Dynamics proudly collaborated with CapeNature to host a community beach clean-up bringing [...]
"What do we do with all the old penguin homes?" It sounds like a simple question, but finding the answer led to a wonderful community initiative. For almost 20 years, the Dyer Island Conservation Trust has been building artificial nests for the Critically Endangered African Penguin, not only for the colony that the Trust works with on Dyer Island, alongside conservation [...]
Last night at around 18:00, Xolani Lawu, Senior Bird Rehabilitator at the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary (APSS), received a call from concerned Sandbaai resident and retired CapeNature Area Manager, Tierck Hoekstra. Tierck had spotted a dishevelled Southern Fulmar (Silwerstormvoël) a rare ocean wanderer from the icy southern seas. Xolani immediately jumped into action, meeting Tierck halfway as the rescue response [...]
