Guardians of Mossel Bay's Marine Treasures
Who We Are
S.M.A.R.T (Stranded Marine Animal Rescue Team) is a registered Non-Profit company involved in rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing injured and stranded marine mammals along the Mossel Bay coastline since 2015.
S.M.A.R.T. consists of passionate volunteers and a qualified Veterinarian.
Our Approach
S.M.A.R.T responds to cetaceans (whales and dolphins), pinnipeds (seals), and sea turtles in distress. Strandings are reported to an emergency number, after which a message is sent to a WhatsApp group of trained volunteers who are available to attend the stranding site. Feedback on the nature and intensity of the stranding is provided on the WhatsApp group. When possible, the animals are taken to the team’s veterinarian for treatment and released as soon as feasible.
Our Impact
The primary focus of S.M.A.R.T is the rescue, preservation, conservation, and welfare of marine mammals along the Mossel Bay coastline. We actively cover the area between Gouritsmond and Wildernis, and its operations are dependent on the involvement of residents in the greater Mossel Bay area.







S.M.A.R.T operates under the authority of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) and serves as agents for Dr. Greg Hofmeyr from Bayworld, Gqerberha. We collaborate with various organisations, including the NSRI, SPCA, Mossel Bay Municipality, Seaborder Police, Cape Nature, SANParks, SAPREC and various conservancies and neighbourhood watch groups in the area.
News

Weekly Incident Report | 5 – 11 October 2026
Another quiet week. We hope we are not being lulled into a false sense of calm! A red-knobbed coot was

Weekly Incident Report | 21 – 27 September 2026
A quiet week for our volunteers. Two penguin reports came in from the Poort tidal pool at the Point: the

Weekly Incident Report | 14 – 20 September 2026
The week started quietly and picked up speed towards the weekend: a restless seal monitored between Glentana and Great Brak,

Weekly Incident Report | 7 – 13 September 2026
A very quiet week, with only one call received, plus an invitation to join us for the International Coastal Clean-up

Weekly Incident Report | 31 August – 6 September 2026
It has been a subbie week (sub-antarctic fur seals)! Four subbies are now on their way to rehab at Bayworld,

Weekly Incident Report | 24 – 30 August 2026
A blessedly quiet week, for which we give thanks. Only one report crossed our desk, and it came from well