World Oceans Week gave SMART a powerful platform this week — a compelling pollution display at the Diaz Museum Granary and a school talk to Curro learners on Tuesday. Two loggerhead hatchlings completed their journey to Two Oceans on Monday. The week closed on a sad note with a beached dolphin calf at Herolds Bay, now in the freezer pending necropsy by Dr Hofmeyr.
Outreach — World Oceans Week Display, Diaz Museum Granary
📍 Location: Diaz Museum, The Granary, Mossel Bay 📅 Date: Monday 8 June (and throughout the week) 👤 Responders: SMART team
- SMART’s exhibition at the Diaz Museum Granary formed part of a broader Marine Week celebration featuring displays by various organisations.
- The SMART display focused on the devastating effects of pollution on marine life. Key exhibit elements included a model whale fluke entangled in rope dragging a buoy, a seal pup entangled in fishing line, and an array of plastic litter, Styrofoam, and party balloon fragments surrounding the exhibits.
- Photographic panels showed real cases handled by SMART: a strangled turtle, a small dolphin with rope around its tail, and three seals with severe fishing line wounds. A sobering and important display.
🌊 World Oceans Week: Pollution is one of the most preventable threats to our marine animals. Every piece of litter that reaches the sea has the potential to entangle, suffocate, or kill. SMART’s display brought this reality home with real impact.
Update — Two Loggerhead Hatchlings Transferred to Two Oceans
📍 Location: HAH → Two Oceans Aquarium, Cape Town 📅 Date: Monday 8 June 👤 Responders: Tracy’s turtle taxi network
- Two loggerhead hatchlings were transported from HAH to Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town on Monday for rehabilitation under Tracy and her outstanding team.
- One hatchling was originally rescued at Sedgefield; the other at Hartenbos. Both are now in expert hands.
🐢 2026 Season Tally: 6 loggerhead hatchlings rescued and transferred to Two Oceans to date. The season continues — keep watching the beaches.
Outreach — Curro Learners Talk, Diaz Museum Granary
📍 Location: Diaz Museum, The Granary, Mossel Bay 📅 Date: Tuesday 9 June 👤 Responders: Linda, Annelize, Ursula, Tersia, Doreen, Val
- Two groups of Curro learners were welcomed to the Granary for a dedicated SMART presentation on Tuesday.
- Thanks to Linda, Annelize, Ursula, Tersia, Doreen and Val for their presence and an excellent presentation. A full team showing for a full audience.
🌟 Outreach Note: Combining the museum display with a live school talk maximised World Oceans Week’s impact. These learners left knowing exactly why the ocean needs their protection.
Incident — Beached Dolphin Calf, Herolds Bay
📍 Location: Herolds Bay 📅 Date: Thursday 11 June 👤 Responders: Marisa, Val
- Marisa and Val responded to a report of a beached dolphin calf at Herolds Bay. The animal was found deceased on arrival.
- The calf was small enough to be placed in SMART’s freezer for preservation. Dr Hofmeyr will collect it on his next visit to Mossel Bay and transport it to Bayworld for a detailed necropsy.
🔬 Necropsy Pending: Calf in SMART’s freezer. Collection by Dr Hofmeyr for Bayworld necropsy — date to be confirmed. Results will contribute to our understanding of dolphin mortality in the region.
Till next week — go well. 🐾