A once-in-a-lifetime moment graced Clifton’s waters as a baby Whale Shark wandered southward! In another rare sighting, people teamed up to help the young shark back to deeper waters!

Clifton, South Africa (07 January 2024) —A moment classed as ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ recently had Cape Town’s Clifton 4th Beach as the talk of the town! This after a special guest to Clifton’s colder waters took to unintentionally join beachgoers (roughly 20m from the shore) earlier this week. However, this was no common marine life spotting.

The sight that captured everyone’s attention was none-other-than a juvenile Whale Shark who had swum the path less travelled near Bun Rock. This was an incredible spotting for two reasons. Firstly, the Whale Shark is a rare aquatic friend and is classified as Endangered Globally on the UICN Red List. Secondly, Whale Sharks are not known to gravitate to or seek cold waters, preferring warmer climates.

While the cause for the Whale Shark’s wandering to one of the Clifton’s is not yet fully known (the Clifton Surf Lifesaving Club have speculated injury or separation from its mother), what happened after it was spotted was very special.

After the shark began to beach itself ,Clifton lifeguards along with other helpful hands joined forces to help the young shark back into deeper waters after members of the public were encouraged to leave the marine baby alone.

Videos of the Whale Shark have continuously circulated social media for the past couple of days, and heartwarmingly, many have been of admiration instead of fear.

Given the bad reputation humans have given sharks (even though it is us who invade their homes and not the other way around), it’s important that the narrative shifts from fear to understanding of how marine ecosystems (and those who are a part of it) work.

The Lifesaving Club have also noted that if anyone should  encounter marine life, the best thing to do is to leave it be, and call the pros like:

• The City of Cape Town—021 480 7700 from a cellphone or 107 from a landline
• The NSRI 087 094 9774

Sources: Clifton Surf Lifesaving Club

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Two superheroes, Captain Fanplastic and the Black Mermaid have teamed up for a new book, set to combat marine litter and connect readers of all ages to the ocean’s call:

Cape Town, South Africa (11 October 2023) — The release of the new book “Captain Fanplastic & the Black Mermaid,” is something any eco-conscious or curious reader (no matter your age) can get excited about as page by page we connect a little more to the oceans while combatting marine litter.

Authored by Social Behaviour Change Expert & Head of Programme at Captain Fanplastic, Ruben Hazelzet, this book serves as a catalyst for change through experiential education at a time when the push to reduce marine litter is stronger than ever amid climate change, aquatic life conservation and environmental concerns.

In a format that’s enormously easier to break down than plastic,  “Captain Fanplastic & the Black Mermaid” sheds light on the importance of recognizing our role in protecting the oceans, from wherever we are—whether we read it in classrooms or offices.

A powerful tool to engage readers of all ages in the mission to preserve our planet’s most precious resource, its core message is that the ocean doesn’t flourish far out at sea, but from choices that come from within all of us.

“I am incredibly excited about the release of this book. It represents a renewed commitment from Captain Fanplastic to educate and inspire change, by combining our story with an incredible role model like Zandile Ndhlovu and her powerful message.” says Ruben Hazelzet.

“Our goal is to connect people with our oceans and give them a sense of responsibility towards it, and this third book to the series is a significant step in that direction.”

According to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), marine litter poses a grave threat to Goal 14: Life Below Water, which seeks to conserve and sustainably use the oceans.

Statistics indicate that over 11 million metric tons of plastic enter the oceans each year, highlighting the urgent need for action to combat this environmental crisis. The book also touches on various Global Goals for 2030, with a special focus on SDG 11- Sustainable Cities and SDG 4- Quality Education.

Zandile Ndhlovu, PADI Freediving Instructor and founder of the Black Mermaid Foundation shares her enthusiasm:

“We are all part of the collective heart working to protect our oceans. The Black Mermaid Foundation focuses on creating access to the ocean, allowing us to expand dreams and our worlds. Powerful stories build our courage. It’s an incredible honour to work with Captain Fanplastic on this mission, and we’re elated to see this work go out into the world!”

In addition to the book’s release, Captain Fanplastic has ambitious plans to create underwater virtual reality videos with Zandile Ndhlovu that will enhance its classroom programme offering, set to bring the wonders of our oceans closer to those without direct access to the oceans.

The book’s thrill follows Captain Fanplastic’s recent recognition as a winner in the World Economic Forum’s Uplink Great Blue Wall Challenge, further cementing its great efforts in addressing marine litter, enhancing education and promoting ocean health.

Additionally, the organisation is endorsed by the United Ocean Decade of Actions for its exemplary work across African Indian Ocean islands.

“Captain Fanplastic & the Black Mermaid” is already available for purchase, along with their two other educating and enchanting books.

All are encouraged to join the movement towards a cleaner, more sustainable future for our oceans. Captain Fanplastic also encourages group or corporate sponsorships and donations for community organisations and schools. Funds generated from the sales will be split evenly between the two Captain Fanplastic & The Black Mermaid Foundation.

Sources: Supplied

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Have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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Whale Season in South Africa has brought good tidings with observations from the aerial survey indicating a substantial increase in whale numbers! The whales’ favoured spot? De Hoop Nature Reserve. Have a look:

De Hoop Nature Reserve, South Africa (11 October 2023) — Whale Season in South Africa is a big highlight on many local and international calendars. And, for De Hoop Nature Reserve, a whale of a time has been wonderfully apparent with the highest concentration of whales observed at the Reserve’s Koppie Alleen.

This is especially fitting considering that De Hoop Nature Reserve is a  World Heritage Site and Marine Protected area, and holds its own as a world-renowned spot for land-based whale watching in SA.

Marine conservation photographer, Jean Tresfon recently undertook the first official aerial survey of southern right whale numbers for 2023 with Dr Els Vermeulen of the uP Mammal Research Institute Whale Unit.

Jean shared:

“The first whale we spotted, in Hermanus just under the cliffs near the Old Harbour, was upside down with a tiny calf her chest. As we went on, we started to see more and more southern right whales, with 346 whales (of which 172 were calves) counted between Struisbaai and Skipskop Point.

“But, as expected we found the main concentration of whales at Koppie Alleen. There were so many whales here that the counting was an exercise in itself! The final number was 472 whales, (236 were calves) in the bay at Koppie Allen, while another 115 whales (57 calves) were counted along the rest of the De Hoop coastline towards Cape Infanta.”

In more good news, the final figures from the aerial survey (from Hermanus to Witsand which saw 1136 whales), showed a substantial increase in whale numbers as counted over the past four years, although still less than the record numbers seen in 2018.

“Whale time is definitely a favourite time at De Hoop Collection,” shared William Stephens, owner of De Hoop Collection on hearing the results.

“Koppie Alleen, with its relatively warm and calm waters is a haven for whales and their calves and is in fact the most important nursery area on the South African coast for southern right whales and this results in an impressive number of whale sightings.”

Have a Look at the Whale Wonders:

Sources: Supplied

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Have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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