NEWS: Recent studies have found that much of the shark meat sold in the United States comes from endangered species. Research shows the majority of shark products are mislabeled or so vaguely described that buyers have no idea what they are eating. READ MORE: www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Today, Wild Coast communities, supported by Sustaining the Wild Coast, All Rise Attorneys, Natural Justice, and Greenpeace Africa, headed to the Constitutional Court to challenge Shell and the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy over planned seismic surveys on the Wild Coast.

With nearly 90% of SA’s ocean already leased for oil & gas, the new IRP pushes for more offshore projects. WILDTRUST’s new oil spill model shows just how devastating a spill could be for tourism & fishing. Read more: iol.co.za/saturday-sta...

"I became a protector of nature because of big companies like Shell, who are willing to destroy the very same nature we grew up on, the very same nature we learnt from without having to go to school for it..." Ezile Jiba. WATCH the short documentary here: www.facebook.com/share/v/1FHe...

“There’s not enough effort being made to explain to people what the advantages and disadvantages or the impact that offshore oil and gas will have on coastal community livelihoods and on the ocean,” -Neville van Rooy. Watch SPOILED here: www.facebook.com/share/v/1FHe...

SPOILED profiles the everyday heroes who continue to fight to protect South Africa's oceans from the threat of offshore oil and gas exploration. This is not just a story of warning, it's a call to action. WATCH the short documentary here: www.facebook.com/share/v/1FHe...

Last week, Walter Steenkamp, featured in the short film SPOILED, has been hosting screenings in Port Nolloth and Komaggas. Over 70 people attended in Port Nolloth - they were predominantly the youth and the town's fishing community. WATCH FILM: m.youtube.com/watch?v=7IHo... @wildtrust.co.za

Behind the scenes with SPOILED... We have recently launched our short documentary feature, titled SPOILED, a South African story of resilience and hope. WATCH the short film here: m.youtube.com/watch?v=7IHo...

The time to act is now. The ‘SPOILED’ film carries an urgent call to protect South Africa’s rich and irreplaceable marine heritage from the growing threat of offshore oil and gas exploration. WATCH NOW: www.facebook.com/share/v/1FHe... @wildtrust.co.za

The ‘SPOILED’ film carries an urgent call to protect South Africa’s rich and irreplaceable marine heritage from the growing threat of offshore oil and gas exploration. WATCH HERE: m.youtube.com/watch?v=7IHo... @wildtrust.co.za

SPOILED - officially launching on 29 July 2025 A South African story, watch this space. Stop the spoil. @wildtrust.co.za

Coming soon...'SPOILED' Officially launching on 29 July 2025. A story worth hearing, and a story worth sharing... stay tuned as we share more in the weeks leading up to the launch. Stop the spoil. @wildtrust.co.za

Local fishermen from Durban South are calling for recognition and fair access to beach fishing grounds. Read more via the Citizen: www.citizen.co.za/southlands-s... @wildtrust.co.za

If you haven’t watched "Ocean with David Attenborough,” we suggest you do - streaming on Disney+ Attenborough’s call to action is very clear: - Protect at least 30% of our oceans by 2030 - Ban destructive fishing methods in marine reserves - Enforce real protection youtu.be/v5J7aP2FYH4?...

French Polynesia has just made conservation history and a monumental step forward for oceans — by protecting its entire ocean territory. It's now home to the largest marine protected area (MPA) ever established. time.com/7292420/fren... @wildtrustssa.bsky.social

BREAKING NEWS: South Africa has officially signed the #HighSeasTreaty (#BBNJ), stepping up as a global leader in ocean protection. At the UN Oceans Conference, Dr Dion George joined nations by committing SA to working towards safeguarding marine life beyond borders. @wildtrustssa.bsky.social

The High Seas are international waters where protection is needed to ensure we maintain the health of our oceans. Without effective protection, our ocean is left vulnerable to overfishing and habitat destruction. The good news is that the High Seas Treaty aims to change that: highseasalliance.org

The diversity of SA's oceans is worth celebrating this #WorldEnvironmentDay - a rich marine heritage that needs protecting. Our waters are some of the most biodiverse in the world; home to migrating whales, endangered seabirds and ancient coral reefs. @wildtrustssa.bsky.social

This #EndangeredSpeciesDay we are highlighting the the African Penguin - Africa’s only penguin species, which was recently uplisted to Critically Endangered status by the IUCN Red List due to their rapid population decline. 📷: Mnqobi Zuma | WILDOCEANS

NEWS: 30 environmental organisations are calling on Environment Minister Dion George to renew political support for South Africa’s commitment to protect 30% of its land and ocean areas by 2030. READ on Business Day: www.businesslive.co.za/bd/economy/2... @wildtrustsa.bsky.social

Did you know the high seas are among the richest areas of biodiversity? These areas support diverse marine species, host extraordinary ecosystems & serve as vital migratory corridors for whales and sharks. Despite their importance, 1% of the high seas is currently under protection! 📷: Jordan Robins

DANGERS OF OIL SPILLS Oil spills kill fish, plankton, shellfish, turtles, mammals, seabirds, and their offspring; destroy plant life; and reduce the food supply for organisms that survive. Spills also disrupt the structure and function of marine communities and ecosystems. www.oceansnotoil.org

THE IMPACTS OF AN UNCONTROLLED OFFSHORE OIL SPILL Sunlight and bacteria play a small but vital role in breaking down oil, but the process is slow and far from complete. Even with this phenomenon, some of the oil still lingers in the water and can continue to harm marine life. oceansnotoil.org

Oil spills don’t just harm the water - they affect the air, too. Toxic chemicals like benzene and xylene evaporate, posing risks to responders and air-breathing wildlife. The damage therefore spreads far beyond the spill zone, resulting in long-lasting impacts. Learn more - oceansnotoil.org

The #HighSeasTreaty gives its BBNJ COP the mandate to establish high seas #MPAs to provide comprehensive protection from harmful human activities. These are the 8️⃣ areas that could make up the first generation of high seas MPAs ➡️ buff.ly/5pUyac8

The size of oil droplets from an offshore oil spill plays a big role in how the oil moves in the water. When oil reaches the surface, it can mix with other smaller particles to form "marine snow". This sinks to the ocean floor, spreading the oil over a wider area. oceansnotoil.org

Oil spills don’t just float - they sink. Sedimented oil settles on the seafloor, affecting coral reefs and deep-sea habitats. This contamination can stretch far beyond the spill site, disrupting life in the ocean’s depths. To learn more, visit oceansnotoil.org @wildtrustsa.bsky.social

The #RaceForRatification is accelerating. Today, at our #OOC10 high-level political event, Ministers, ocean champions, Indigenous leaders, youth, civil society & philanthropy spotlight the urgency of ratifying and implementing the #BBNJ Treaty. @belgiummfa.bsky.social @cancilleriachile.bsky.social

This year we are celebrating #PenguinAwarenessDay with the recent establishment of commercial no-fishing zones around 6 key African penguin colonies. Although this milestone restores hope for this Critically Endangered penguin, more still needs to be done to prevent the species from going extinct.

The ocean is the Earth's life support system & among its most vulnerable species are sharks and rays. The theme for Earth Day 2025 is “Our Power, Our Planet" focusing on the urgent need to protect our planet’s natural resources - from the air we breathe to the oceans that sustain life. #EarthDay

The unseen impact is vast and long-lasting in an offshore oil spill. In the water column, oil droplets, gas bubbles, and soluble compounds mix, forming large underwater plumes. Learn more - oceansnotoil.org @wildtrustsa.bsky.social

THE DANGERS OF OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS OPERATIONS Oil contamination events and gas releases can occur during exploration or production activities. This can result in catastrophic consequences for the environment and people living in proximity to the spill site. Learn More: oceansnotoil.org

South Korea and Costa Rica have officially ratified the High Seas Treaty, marking a major step forward in protecting marine life beyond national borders. With 111 countries signed and 19 ratified, momentum is growing ahead of the UN Ocean Conference in June. Learn more: www.highseasalliance.org

“Every time I see a raft of African penguins come by our boat I’m always like – ‘stop the boat! I’m taking a video!’ It sounds ridiculous but I never take them for granted.” – Nina Brink, Shark Diver, Captain and Fisherwoman. WATCH: www.facebook.com/reel/1291624...

“The toughest little bird in the sea is the African penguin, and its because of us that they are Critically Endangered.” – Wilfred Chivell, CEO if Marine Dynamics and Founder of the Dyer Island Conservation Trust. WATCH: www.facebook.com/reel/1315839...

“To lose these penguins now would be the biggest devastation of sea life that I can think of.” - Sandy Carruthers, Estate Agent & Betty’s Bay Resident. More needs to be done to turn the tides for this Critically Endangered species. WATCH: www.facebook.com/reel/1179568...

“The penguins are definitely the biggest drawcard for clients we have coming to our company for a kayaking experience.” – Ryan Leatherby, Kayak Cape Town More needs to be done to protect Africa’s only penguin. WATCH: www.facebook.com/reel/6718713...

Take a behind-the-scenes look at our team’s journey along South Africa’s Western Cape coastline, capturing stories from people whose livelihoods and businesses are intertwined with the survival of the African penguin. 🐧 WATCH: www.facebook.com/reel/6778670...

WATCH: “When I think about the African Penguin and the Critically Endangered status that the world has now placed on its population, I'm embarrassed and ashamed for the powers that are managing our coastline. We're not doing enough.” – Steve Benjamin. www.facebook.com/reel/1712800...

“The projection is ten years, and the African penguin will be extinct, which is an ecological crime, really. There's no way we should let this happen.” - Marine Zoologist, Peter Oxford Watch our video to learn how you can help protect the African Penguin: www.facebook.com/reel/1351576...

“If the African penguin wasn’t in Simon’s Town, Boulders Beach specifically, we wouldn’t be here.” – Tamsyn Erasmus, Boulders Beach Hotel, Café & Curio. Watch our video to learn how you can help protect this Critically Endangered species. www.facebook.com/reel/1860237...

FIVE TRUTHS ABOUT THE OCEAN – #5. African penguins, critically endangered and facing extinction by 2035, are a stark warning about ocean health. As an indicator species, their decline highlights the urgent need to protect marine ecosystems. Learn more: www.aquarium.co.za/foundation/n...

FIVE TRUTHS ABOUT THE OCEAN – #4. There's life down there The deep sea isn’t barren, it’s full of life. From the gummy squirrel sea cucumber to the yeti crab, strange species thrive in extreme depths - we’ve only scratched the surface of discovery. Read more: www.aquarium.co.za/foundation/n...

World Whale Day 🐋 Whales travel thousands of kilometres through MPAs, which offer vital spaces to feed, breed, and rest. In South Africa, MPAs and the global whaling ban have helped humpback whales make a remarkable recovery. Spot them along our shores between June and September!

FIVE TRUTHS ABOUT THE OCEAN – #3. Corals Are Not Plants Corals are colonies of tiny animals, vital to 25% of marine life. They protect coastlines, support fisheries, and sustain millions of people. But threats like overfishing, pollution, and damage are putting them at risk.

FIVE TRUTHS ABOUT THE OCEAN – #2. There Aren’t Plenty More Fish in the Sea Over 35% of global fisheries are overexploited, with nearly 40% in South Africa facing the same issue. Choose sustainably sourced seafood to help protect our oceans. Read more: www.aquarium.co.za/foundation/n...

Making 🌊 MPAs work for both environment & coastal communities... We are excited to launch @blueactionfund.org's new guidance on managing access restrictions for MPAs - ensuring conservation is both effective & equitable ➡️ ogy.de/4ick #OceanOptimism #MarineProsperityAreas

FIVE TRUTHS ABOUT THE OCEAN - #1. The Ocean Can’t Absorb All Our Waste. The ocean gives us over 50% of our oxygen and sustains millions of lives, yet plastic pollution threatens it deeply. 89% of waste from cleanups is single-use plastic, found even in the Arctic and Mariana Trench. bitly.cx/ay91

Shark nets and baited hooks continue to be operated within three of South Africa’s Marine Protected Areas, raising questions about the effectiveness of these sanctuaries and the future of shark protection. Read on: www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025... #sharknets #drumlines #southafrica #kzn

For more than 70 years, shark nets and baited hooks (drumlines) have been used along KZN’s coastline to reduce the risk of shark encounters at beaches. But did you know that this gear is used within three Marine Protected Areas? Read: www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025... @dailymaverick.co.za