PROGRAMME OF EVENTS 8-14 OCTOBER 2012

BirdLife South Africa Seabird Division Introduction Seabirds are the most threatened group of birds in the world. It’s difficult to imagine a world without vibrant penguin colonies, or gigantic albatrosses travelling the Southern Ocean. BirdLife South Africa is at the forefront of seabird conservation globally. Our acclaimed Albatross Task Force has made huge strides towards reducing albatross bycatch. The Seabird Division also runs projects to help the embattled African Penguin with resources provided by a Species Champion under the Preventing Extinctions programme. But we need to step up our efforts to protect seabirds, because the current losses are not sustainable. To do this, we need to raise awareness and raise more money.

BirdLife South Africa is at the forefront of global seabird conservation. Through working closely with the local fishing industry to find practical solutions such as bird scaring lines, our Albatross Task Force has helped reduce seabird mortality by 80%.

BirdLife South Africa’s Seabird Division organises the annual SOS Festival, which aims to educate the public about threats to the marine environment, and inspire people to help us make a difference. In addition to ongoing relationships with founding partners DEA (Department of Environmental Affairs) and Iziko Museums, we are delighted to announce significant support from the Hans Hoheisen Charitable Trust, managed by BoE Private Clients as a sole trustee. This unity of vision unlocks tremendous potential for the future.

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Iziko SA Museum

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Iziko SA Museum

Marine Conservation Lecture Series Come and hear how three prominent conservationists are making a difference in the field of marine and seabird conservation. Complimentary light snacks and drinks will be served.

Wednesday - 18h30 for 19h00

Venue: Dates: Time: Cost: Booking:

Topic: The ‘most remote’ oiled wildlife response operation -  lessons learnt on Tristan da Cunha.

Iziko South African Museum, 25 Queen Victoria Street, Cape Town 8, 10 and 12 October 18h30 for 19h00 Free Required (See details under Bookings)

Monday - 18h30 for 19h00

8 October

10 October

Speaker: Venessa Strauss, leader of the Oiled Wildlife Response team to Tristan da Cunha, April 2011, SANCCOB CEO.

The lecture will be followed by the launch of the Great Penguin Run event, by David Chamberlain.

Friday - 18h30 for 19h00

12 October

Opening address: Official from the Department of Environmental Affairs.

Closing address: Iziko Museums CEO.

Speaker: Peter Chadwick, manager of the WWF Honda Marine Parks Programme and winner of the 2011 Veolia Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.

Speaker: Hadoram Shirihai, Petrel Discoverer, author of the international best-seller ‘Guide to Antarctic Wildlife’, philanthopist, and obsessive pelagic seabird guru.

Topic: Marine Protected Areas - critical life support system, necessary evil or waste of time and money?

Topic: Extinct or not? Rediscovering seabird species at sea as the first step towards their conservation.

The Oceans of Life Photographic Exhibition will be formally opened, followed by the launch of the Khoisan salt “For the Birds” and Save Our Seabirds Fund Penguin bracelets.

The lecture will be followed by a prize giving for the photographic competition, relaunch of the Seabird Atlas, and the handing over of a vehicle donated by Knysna Toyota.

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Daily

Iziko SA Museum From 8 October

Oceans of Life Photographic Competition BirdLife South Africa’s Seabird Division once again will exhibit photographs for the annual SOS Festival Photographic Competition. The theme of the photographic competition is ‘Oceans of Life’, and the exhibition includes stunning photography of a wide array of marine biodiversity, including seabirds, cetaceans, fish, as well as coastal species from around the world. 1st Prize in the Main Category: The ORYX Award: A trip for 2 to Antarctica from One Oceans Expeditions VALUED AT US$17 000 1st Prize in the Youth Category: First prize: Camera gear from Canon valued at US$1 500

The top 50 finalist’s photos from the Oceans of Life photographic competition will be on display at the Iziko South African Museum from 8 October 2012 for 2 months.

Venue: Dates: Time: Cost: Booking:

Iziko South African Museum, 25 Queen Victoria Street, Cape Town 8 October to 8 December 10h00 to 17h00 Adults R20, visitors under 18 free (museum entrance fee) None required

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Saturday

V&A Waterfront 13 October

Freshlyground Concert: Freshlyground is a South African band that formed in Cape Town in 2002. Their music style is mostly Afro-pop with influences from soul, folk, kwassa-kwassa and global dance. The seven-piece band has already released their fourth studio album and were the chosen band to co-perform (with Shakira) the official anthem for 2010 Fifa World Cup. The band has a unique ability to craft music that is global yet remains true to its African roots. Freshlyground are donating all proceeds of this concert to BirdLife South Africa. Be sure not to miss it!

Venue: Cost: Booking:

East Pier, V&A Waterfront R170 (incl. VAT). Ticket sales open on 1 October. Only a limited number of tickets will be available, on a 1st come basis.

Web:

Visit www.sosfestival.co.za to book and for more details.

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Saturday

Simon’s Town 13 October

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Monday - Friday

Iziko SA Museum 8 - 12 October

Simon’s Town Penguin Festival In its 12th year running, the annual Simon’s Town Penguin Festival hosted by SANCCOB, SANParks and Boulders Beach Lodge and Restaurant is a festival of educational fun for young and old - all in the name of the endangered African penguin. The event kicks off with the African Penguin Awareness Day Penguin release at Seaforth Beach (Simon’s Town) and then proceeds to the festivities at the parking areas in front of Boulders Beach Lodge and Restaurant. This year’s festival features a cooking demonstration by a celebrity SASSI chef, a snake and reptile show, a raptor show, live spider exhibit, food stalls and loads of ‘edutainment’ for the kids. Visitors will also have the opportunity to meet and take pictures with SANCCOB’s famous ambassador penguins. All proceeds of the festival are donated to SANCCOB in support of seabird conservation.

National Marine Week Activities & African Penguin Awareness Day Iziko South African Museum is celebrating National Marine Week by showcasing how human-induced activities affect the ocean and marine life and what you can do to help with the “Think blue, what can you do?” pledge. They will also be celebrating African Penguin Awareness Day with talks and live footage of rehabilitated penguins being released by SANCCOB. Venue: Time: Date:

Iziko South African Museum Various events from 09h00 to 17h00 Monday - Friday, 8th - 12th October 2012: National Marine Week Activities Saturday 13 October 2012: African Penguin Awareness Day

Venue: Time: Cost: Booking:

Bellevue Road, Upper and lower parking lot in front of Boulders Beach Lodge & Restaurant, Simon’s Town 10h00-15h00 Free None required

Email: Tel:

[email protected] / [email protected] for more details on this and other events at the museum. (+27) 21 481 3812

Email: Tel:

[email protected] (+27) 21 557 6155

In recognition of its strong support for marine conservation, Iziko Museums has collaborated with BirdLife South Africa in hosting the SOS Festival lecture series and exhibition.

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Saturday & Sunday

Robben Island 13 & 14 October

Robben Island Birding Tours Robben Island supports populations of Chukar partridges and only officially listed population of feral peacocks. These special tours will focus on finding these sometimes elusive species. They also provide the opportunity to see other species on the island and other seabirds on the boat trip over. Venue: Time: Cost: Booking:

Meet at the Nelson Mandela Gateway at 08h30 09h00 to 12h00 R230 (includes the boat trip and tour around the island; prison tour not included) Required (See details under Bookings)

Christina Moseley +27 (0)21 419 7347 [email protected] www.sosfestival.co.za www.birdlife.org.za

Bookings

10 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD CARE ABOUT

OUR

OCEANS

10 Things to Know

Southern Ocean

The Southern Ocean is made up of the southernmost waters of the world’s oceans and circles Antarctica. It is the 4th largest ocean in the world and the only ocean to stretch all around the world!

Ten things you need to know: 1) 2) 3) 4)

5) 6) 7) 8) Increased solar ultraviolet radiation resulting from the Antarctic ozone hole is reducing marine primary productivity (phytoplankton) by as much as 15% and damaging the DNA of some fish. Due to its remoteness and low level of human interaction, the Southern Ocean allows us to monitor and understand changes on a global level.

9)

10)

13 islands are found in the Southern Ocean, and some are World Heritage Sites. The water temperature varies from about -2 to 10° C! South Africa’s most pristine island, Prince Edward Island, is found here. SA and French governments, NGOs and scientists are collaborating to protect the waters around the Prince Edward and Crozet Islands. The islands are home to many indigenous and endemic seabird populations. Seventeen of the world’s 22 albatross species are restricted to the Southern Ocean. 100 million birds breed in Antarctica, 90% of these are from 7 penguin species. The Southern Ocean is vital to understanding possible future responses to global climate change, as many effects will be seen in this region first. The SA Agulhas II was recently purchased by South Africa. It conducts important scientific research and supplies research stations in the Antarctic. The SA Agulhas II provides South Africa with the opportunity to address the impacts of climate change on biodiversity.

10 Things to Know

Marine Protected Areas

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are spaces in the ocean where human activities are more strictly regulated than surrounding waters, in order to protect biodiversity and increase fish stocks.

Ten things you need to know: 1)

2) 3)

4) 5) 6)

MPAs can support rural livelihoods and local economic development through ecotourism and conservation-related industries.

7) 8) 9) 10)

South Africa is poised to expand its Marine Protected Area network (South Africa needs to expand its MPA network to include currently unprotected habitat types, including proclamation of Offshore MPAs and an MPA in Namaqualand and the Prince Edward Islands). MPAs are valuable national assets that deliver ecosystem services and socio-economic benefits. South Africa needs to implement more no-take zones within its MPAs so that they can contribute to the sustainability of fisheries. MPAs are insurance to healthy ocean systems and are also an investment for the future. MPAs are a heritage for future generations and benchmarks for marine resources management. MPAs offer benefits to fisheries as well as in a broader context i.e. tourism. MPAs benefit coastal communities. SA is a leader in Marine Parks management. MPAs are vital life support systems of the oceans. MPAs are cornerstones of our national marine management system.

Acknowledgements

Festival Sponsors

Contact Details

BirdLife South Africa (Head Office) Tel +27 (0)11 789 1122 Fax +27 (0)11 789 5188

Email Web

[email protected] www.birdlife.org.za

BirdLife South Africa gratefully acknowledges the creative and strategic resources donated by The Jupiter Drawing Room (Utopia).

This programme is printed on environmentally friendly paper.