Latest news with #SouthAfricanAssociationforMarineBiologicalResearch
IOL News
5 days ago
- General
- IOL News
Captain Hook: The Cape fur seal's inspiring rescue from fish hooks
Captain Hook, a Cape fur seal, faced a life-threatening situation with fish hooks embedded in his mouth and back. Image: South African Association for Marine Biological Research (Saambr) Last month, the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (Saambr) shared a heart-wrenching and intriguing story about a young Cape fur seal, now affectionately named Captain Hook, who was admitted into their care. This two-and-a-half-year-old seal captured hearts after he was found with fish hooks lodged in his mouth and back — a rare sight in the KwaZulu-Natal coast, where only one other Cape fur seal has been documented in the past 21 years at uShaka Sea World's rehabilitation facility. Captain Hook was captured in eManzimtoti in early July, where it is believed he followed the Sardine Run up the coast. When the sardines were no longer visible, he needed a new plan. He saw what seemed like an endless supply of sardines connected to the end of the Toti fishermen's lines. Despite being hooked several times, he continued to steal the fishermen's bait, and it became increasingly apparent that he needed urgent medical attention. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ When he arrived at the rehabilitation facility, several hooks were safely removed from his mouth and back. The veterinary team gave him long-acting antibiotics to cover risks associated with the hooks and a painkiller. A radiograph showed he has a hook lodged in his oesophagus, but the uShaka Sea World veterinarian, Dr Francois Lampen, wanted the seal to settle and regain its strength before further intervention. Fortunately, Captain Hook's recovery journey is progressing positively, thanks to the right medical care and affection from seal experts at the rehabilitation centre. One of his caregivers, Hayley Tennant, said: 'As he is still in the young, playful stage of his life, we have given him some basketballs to wrestle with, both in the water and out of the water. I think I enjoy watching him play with the balls as much as he loves throwing and drowning them.' Saambr spokesperson Ann Kunz said that once Captain Hook settled down, and his blood results showed enough improvement to safely undergo anaesthesia, he was taken to the Village Veterinary Clinic in Kloof, where he underwent a gastroscope, which showed the hook previously seen in his oesophagus had moved into the muscle layer. Captain Hook was in a life-threatening situation with fish hooks embedded in his mouth and back. Image: South African Association for Marine Biological Research (Saambr) 'As the position of the hook is not impacting his health or movement in any way, the decision was made not to operate to remove the hook at this stage,' Kunz said. She said that Captain Hook's love for food and strong appetite, which had previously caused him trouble by boldly stealing bait from fishermen, is now working in his favour as he is gaining weight at a healthy rate. 'He loves his food and is fed a rich diet of pilchards, hake, sprats and squid, with squid being his least favourite (he believes squid is just like broccoli),' Kunz said. 'He still has a long way to go before he reaches his goal weight, but it is safe to say that he is now out of the woods and on the road to recovery.' Kunz added that Captain Hook remains under quarantine as a rabies precaution, but he has received his vaccination, and the team currently has no reason to believe he has been exposed to the virus before arriving at uShaka Sea World. Kunz reminded the public that in South Africa and Namibia, Cape fur seals have tested positive for rabies.
The Citizen
02-08-2025
- Science
- The Citizen
Keeping sharks and people safe: Rethinking bather safety in KZN
KZN currently uses 13km of shark nets and 177 drumlines across 37 beaches to enhance bather safety. These measures are designed to catch specific shark species involved in attacks. However, they also result in the unfortunate death of around 400 non-target marine animals, including dolphins and turtles, each year. This significant bycatch highlights the urgent need for more sustainable solutions. An innovative exhibition, Shark Smart: How Do We Keep Sharks & People Safe?, recently launched at uShaka Marine World in Durban. This exhibition, the first phase of a larger awareness campaign, focuses on non-lethal alternatives for shark risk mitigation. It aims to educate the public and encourage a new approach to shark and bather safety. Exploring non-lethal shark deterrent technologies Guests at the exhibition launch were immersed in the history and ecological impact of traditional shark nets and drumlines in KZN. Crucially, the exhibition showcases cutting-edge shark deterrent technologies and solutions being developed globally and locally. These include: Sonar systems Artificial intelligence (AI) software for shark detection Shark Shield personal deterrents Multispectral drones for ocean surveillance SharkSafe Barrier technology The exhibition also emphasises personal bather responsibility when entering the ocean, recognising it as the sharks' natural habitat. Collaborative efforts for shark conservation and education Lauren van Nijkerk, Wildtrust's Director of Campaigns, highlighted the collaborative effort behind the exhibition, ensuring all stakeholders were involved in shaping its message. The exhibition presents both existing and alternative shark risk mitigation methods in engaging and interactive ways, with materials available in both English and isiZulu to ensure broad accessibility. Maryke Musson, executive manager: conservation education and communications at the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR), emphasised the aquarium's unique opportunity to educate visitors about the wonders of the ocean and the importance of marine conservation. The ecological cost of traditional shark control methods Despite common misconceptions, the 13km of shark nets and 177 drumlines in KZN are not physical barriers preventing sharks from reaching swimmers. These nets, set 300-500m offshore with gaps, are designed to catch and kill specific shark species deemed a risk. Sharks can and do swim under, around and between them. Only three shark species are primarily associated with unprovoked incidents in South Africa: The Zambezi (bull) shark, white shark and tiger shark. These are the main targets of the current 'bather safety gear'. However, the environmental cost is substantial, with over 400 non-target marine animals, including dolphins, rays, turtles and critically endangered sharks, killed as bycatch in these nets annually. Drumlines, introduced in 2005, aim to be a more targeted form of fishing to reduce bycatch, using baited hooks to specifically target large sharks. South Africa's legacy and future in shark and ray conservation South Africa holds a significant place in shark conservation, being the first country to legally protect the white shark in 1991. Chondrichthyans, which include over 1 250 species of sharks, rays, skates and chimaeras, are ancient and vital to marine ecosystem health. However, over one-third of all shark and ray species globally are threatened with extinction due to overfishing and habitat loss. These species are particularly vulnerable due to their slow growth, late maturation and low reproductive rates. Dr Jennifer Olbers, Wildtrust's senior scientist, emphasised South Africa's continued opportunity and responsibility to lead in shark and ray conservation, especially given that some species, like the largetooth and green sawfish, are already locally extinct. Paving the way for coexistence: The future of ocean safety This exhibition marks the beginning of an awareness campaign dedicated to redefining bather safety through education, innovation and coexistence with marine life, rather than lethal methods. The future of ocean safety must consider both people and the planet. The Shark Smart exhibition is open to the public at the uShaka Marine World Aquarium, a collaborative effort by Wildtrust, Shark Conservation Fund, SAAMBR, Oceanographic Research Institute), SharkSafe Barrier, Shark Spotters, Justice4Jaws and the Sharks & People Working Group. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on
IOL News
22-04-2025
- Science
- IOL News
The magic of bioluminescent algae: A spectacle in uMdloti
A few people were treated to the splendour of bioluminescent algae illuminating waves in uMdloti, northern eThekwini, on Good Friday. Bioluminescent algae rode the waves in uMdloti before crashing near the shore. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ In one of the videos, someone can be heard saying, 'that is insane' as they watched an illuminated wave crash. View this post on Instagram A post shared by SandBar Restaurant (@sandbarkzn) Explaining the marvel, South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR) Conservation, Education and Communication executive manager, Maryke Musson, said bioluminescent algae are tiny marine organisms, primarily dinoflagellates, that produce light through a chemical reaction called chemiluminescence, where the conversion of chemical energy to light is highly efficient. She said it is commonly referred to as 'Sea Sparkle', named after the dinoflagellate (Noctiluca scintillans) which causes bioluminescence when disturbed or agitated. Musson explained that the glow is caused by a chemical reaction when two key components, a protein and an enzyme, interact when agitated and oxygen is added to the mix. Excess energy is then released as light without generating any heat. In the deep-sea environment, lack of sunlight has driven the development of bioluminescence as a primary means of communication for hundreds of species of marine animals, she continued. For dinoflagellates, scientists believe it is more of a result of metabolism, and mostly happens when the water of these specific organisms find themselves in, is disturbed or agitated. That is why you see it in the waves or if you drag your hand through the water, especially during a new moon phase when there is not a lot of external light. Musson said about 90% of deep-sea marine life can produce bioluminescence. It helps them hunt, hide, attract mates, or confuse predators. View this post on Instagram A post shared by I Love Durban (@ilovedurban) 'One of the strangest (and coolest!) things about bioluminescence is that some animals use it as a form of invisibility. Some marine animals, like certain squid and shrimp, use 'counter-illumination.' They produce light on their undersides that matches the faint sunlight or moonlight from above,' Musson said. Bioluminescent algae generally produce natural blue or green light, which travels better through water. Some deep-sea fish and squid produce red light, and some jellyfish produce predominantly green light, but blue light is mostly observed. She said bioluminescence is usually seen in coastal waters across the globe and is often seen in shallow water, such as bays, where plankton can gather. Musson said Mosquito Bay in Puerto Rico is known as the brightest bioluminescent bay in the world, while in South Africa, bioluminescence can sometimes be seen along the southern and eastern coastlines and is most common along the Garden Route, Eastern Cape and False Bay. It is not often seen in and around eThekwini. She said most bioluminescent algae are not harmful to humans, animals, or marine life. If bioluminescent dinoflagellates are part of a harmful algal bloom, such as a red tide, toxins can be released into the water, which can cause skin or eye irritation, but this is quite rare. If the water appears red and has a bit of a glow to it, rather stay clear of it. 'You can swim safely in bioluminescent algae as long as it is not part of a harmful algae bloom (red tide). When you move in the water, the bioluminescent algae react to motion, lighting up around your arms, legs, or even splashes, but it won't stick to you and you won't glow afterwards,' Musson said.
