JANUARY 2015 NEWSLETTER 4:1
[email protected]
www.whalecoastconservation.org.za
028 316 2527
IN THIS ISSUE
First Fridays Artwalk and Night of 1,000 Drawings
Launch of Cape Whale Coast Hope Spot
Stripes likes ABI
Cape Bladderwort
Stripes get funding from ABI
What does WCC do?
The next Artwalk is on Friday the 2nd of January. In the
festive spirit, everyone is asked to dress up and mask
up for the occasion. Time for those crazy costumes in
the cupboard!
WISHING FOR A PRODUCTIVE YEAR
LAUNCH OF CAPE WHALE COAST HOPE SPOT
It’s the start of a whole new year and many challenges
lie ahead for the folk at WCC. We look forward to
achieving many goals, which we will tell you about
through these newsletters.
Our very own Hope Spot was launched on the 6th of
December by Dr Sylvia Earle. Sadly, the sea was too
rough for her to unveil the underwater plaque at the
Old Harbour, but she did unveil a plaque above the
Harbour.
We also wish our friends a joyful and productive 2015.
A BIG THANK YOU
Whale Coast Conservation was privileged to be one of
the beneficiaries of the Night of 1,000 drawings – the
brainchild of 12 art galleries in Hermanus. On the 5th
of December the people of Hermanus flocked to the
galleries and generously gave their R100s in exchange
for works of art by the famous and the not-so-famousyet. A handsome sum of money was raised for the 3
beneficiaries. Whale Coast Conservation received over
R20,000 that we will use wisely to raise awareness –
especially among the youth of the unique
environment in which we are privileged to live.
Sylvia Earle found time to chat to Sparkle Kid Siviwe Elvis
Yuyu who will be studying Oceanography this year thanks
to financial assistance from Abagold.
Whale Coast Conservation was proud to be part of the
exhibit in the Eco-Marine tent which was, sadly, not
very well attended by the public.
The challenge in the years to come will be to keep the
vision of the Hope Spot alive and to work towards
protection of the Cape Whale Coast for the benefit of
the environment and the people who depend on it.
Photo: Ronnie Hazell
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One of the objectives has already been initiated by
CapeNature who have applied for Marine Protected
Area (MPA) status for Walker Bay. Imagine the fishing
mecca of 100 years ago to once again attract great
numbers of sport anglers to our shores to “catch and
release”. It will also provide livelihoods for
subsistence fishers. A study on the economic impact
of sport and recreational angling in South Africa
estimates that it contributes more to our economy
than rugby and cricket combined.
CAPE BLADDERWORT
Recently members of the Hermanus Botanical Society
reported a sighting in Fernkloof of Cape bladderwort
or Kaapse blasieblom. Utricularia bisquamata is a
small annual carnivorous plant that grows in damp
soil. It is named for its tiny underground bladders that
capture small organisms like protozoa and rotifers by
means of its bladder-like trap.
The bladder pumps ions out of the interior water of
the bladder leaving a chemical gradient across the
bladder membrane. This causes water to move out of
the bladder by osmosis (water moving across a
semipermeable membrane from low to high chemical
potential). The result is thus a negative water pressure
inside the bladder in relation to its environment.
Stripes dreaming of a Walker Bay MPA.
Unsuspecting prey swimming by triggers the sudden
opening of the trap door and water surrounding it is
sucked into the bladder – together with the
prey. Once the bladder is full of water the hinged
door closes, trapping the prey inside. This process
takes only ten to fifteen thousandths of a second!
Real impact from the Hope Spot vision can only be
achieved by action taken by every one of us, not just
government agencies and NGOs. Please be part of the
vision and, most importantly, the achievements.
STRIPES LIKES ABI
Stripes may be an apprentice eco-cat, but he is not
modest. He has managed to persuade the kind people
at Agulhas Biodiversity Initiative to award him a small
grant to continue writing his stories for children. He
aims to introduce his booklets into the local schools.
Photo: Wayne’s word
WHAT DOES WCC ACTUALLY DO?
This question is perhaps not as silly as it seems. Over
the years WCC has not only changed its name, but
also changed our focus to some extent.
Just as a reminder for those who have not been
closely involved with the organisation, the next 2
pages of the newsletter illustrate what we do. It reads
from top to bottom in 2 columns.
Stripes with Anina Lee and Sheraine van Wyk
His next booklet of stories will be for the children who
come to the Walker Bay Bird Fair at the end of
February.
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Compiled by Anina Lee and made possible
by the National Lottery Distribution Trust
Fund.
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