ECO-TALKS 30 SEP – 4 OCT 2011 (Talks will last 20mins)
30th SEPTEMBER - FRIDAY
| TIME | SPEAKER | TOPIC |
|---|---|---|
| 10h00 | Michelle Wcisel (BSc Hons Zoology Michigan State University, USA)-Dyer Island Cruises | Observation and data gathering with Dyer Island Cruises |
| 11H00 | Colin Garland (Environmentalist, eco-tour guide-Founder The Global Classroom & Raven Adventures) | Whales of Baja, Mexico |
| 12h00 | Alison Towner (MSc Candidate–University of Cape Town, SA; BSc Marine Biology-Bangor University, UK)-Dyer Island Conservation Trust | Great White Shark Research |
| 12h30 | John Crighton (Cartoonist) | Children’s drawing session (adults welcome) |
| 14h00 | Heidi de Maine (Abby Aquarist - Author of children’s books) | Children’s craft session |
| 15h00 | John Kieser (Environmental Manager-Plastics Federation SA) | Plastic at sea? – A look at the issue in SA |
| 16h00 | Renee Leeuwner (Two Oceans Aquarium Asst. Communications & Sustainability Manager) | Rethink the plastic bag and protect our marine life |
1st OCTOBER – SATURDAY
| TIME | SPEAKER | TOPIC |
|---|---|---|
| 10h00 | Oliver Jewell (MSc Candidate – University of Pretoria, SA; BSc Hons Oceanography– University of Southampton, UK) – Marine Dynamics | Observation and data gathering with Marine Dynamics Shark Tours |
| 11H00 | Renee Leeuwner (Two Oceans Aquarium Asst. Communications and Sustainability Manager) | Rethink the plastic bag and protect our marine life |
| 12h00 | Janine Basson (Seafood Consumer Outreach Manager - WWF Sustainable Fisheries Programme SASSI) | Seafood. Have we reached the end of the line? |
| 12h30 | John Crighton (Cartoonist) | Drawing session with children (adults welcome) |
| 14h00 | John Kieser (Environmental Manager-Plastics Federation SA) | Plastic at sea? – A look at the issue in SA |
| 15h00 | Meredith Thornton (Manager - Mammal Research Institute CT –University of Pretoria) | Photo-identification of whales/dolphins: who’s who and how many are there? |
| 16h00 | Dr Gwenith Penry (Mammal Research Institute CT–University of Pretoria) | South Africa’s Secret Giants - Bryde’s whales |
2nd OCTOBER - SUNDAY
| TIME | SPEAKER | TOPIC |
|---|---|---|
| 10h00 | Colin Garland (Environmentalist, eco-tour guide-Founder The Global Classroom & Raven Adventures) | Whales of Baja, Mexico |
| 11H00 | Meredith Thornton (Manager - Mammal Research Institute CT – University of Pretoria) | Photo-identification of whales/dolphins: who’s who and how many are there? |
| 12h00 | Oliver Jewell (MSc candidate – University of Pretoria, SA; BSc Hons Oceanography– University of Southampton, UK) – Marine Dynamics | Shark tagging – how and why! |
| 12h30 | John Crighton (Cartoonist) | Children’s drawing session (adults welcome) |
| 14h00 | Dr Gwenith Penry (Mammal Research Institute CT–University of Pretoria) | South Africa’s Secret Giants - Bryde’s whales |
| 15h00 | Katja Vinding Petersen (PhD Candidate–University of Pretoria; MSc University of Copenhagen) | Listen to the whales and dolphins! |
| 16h00 | Linda Fellowes (Lulu- Author children’s books) | Children’s Reading Session |
3rd OCTOBER - MONDAY
| TIME | SPEAKER | TOPIC |
|---|---|---|
| 10h00 | Michelle Wcisel (BSc Hons Zoology Michigan State University, USA)-Dyer Island Cruises | Children’s whale walk – meet at the Marine Big 5 Expo |
| 11H00 | Alison Towner (MSc Candidate–University of Cape Town, SA; BSc Marine Biology-Bangor University, UK)-Dyer Island Conservation Trust | Great White Shark Research |
| 12h00 | Colin Garland (Environmentalist, eco-tour guide-Founder of The Global Classroom & Raven Adventures) | Whales of Baja, Mexico |
| 14h00 | Beach Clean Up | Meet at front of Windsor Hotel (bags and gloves will be provided) |
4th OCTOBER - TUESDAY
| TIME | SPEAKER | TOPIC |
|---|---|---|
| 10h00 | Michelle Wcisel (BSc Hons Zoology) - Dyer Island Cruises | Marine Big 5 - Children’s lesson |
| 11H00 | John Crighton (Cartoonist) | Drawing session with children (adults welcome) |
| 12h00 | Brenda Walters (Operations Manager - Dyer Island Conservation Trust) | Children’s Reading Session |
**All information correct at time of going to print.
Dyer Island Conservation Trust delivers unique conservation and research programmes in the fragile and critically important marine eco-system at the southern-most tip of Africa. Here we strive to protect the largest surviving colonies of the endangered African Penguin whose numbers are at an all time low; the globally important breeding and calving grounds of the Southern Right Whale; and, one of the world’s densest populations of the mysterious Great White Shark.
The Whale Festival 2011 is the perfect opportunity for the Trust to connect and educate the public on the incredible marine diversity in our area. Together with our eco-tourism partners, Dyer Island Cruises (whale watching) and Marine Dynamics Tours (shark cage diving), we will be exhibiting and hosting interesting free talks by our team of marine biologists and invited guests in the Marine Big 5 Conservation Expo marquee. Talks range from the whales and dolphins in the area, to great white shark behaviour and tagging, whale acoustics, marine pollution and how you can make a difference. There will be a colouring-in competition for the children as well as reading sessions, a craft session and a whale walk. You will also find recycling bins available at the marquee where you can recycle your plastics, paper, tins and glass. Join us for a beach clean up too.
Remember to sign the Save Bantamsklip petition – information available at marquee.
To learn more visit www.dict.org.za; www.whalewatchsa.com; www.sharkwatchsa.com
To book for trips with an on board marine biologist call:
Dyer Island Cruises - Whale Watching & Marine safaris:
028 384 0406 / 082 801 8014
Marine Dynamics Shark Tours - Shark Cage Diving:
028 384 1005 / 082 380 3405
Contact:
Dyer Island Conservation Trust: brenda@dict.org.za and 082 907 5607, should you need further information.
