Dr Sylvia Earle’s Hope Spots Launch Tour

Legendary ocean researcher Dr Sylvia Earle will commence her tour to launch Hope Spots in South Africa in early December. She arrives in Cape Town on the 3rd, spends the 4th and most of the 5th in activities in Cape Town before she travels to Hermanus, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Algoa Bay and to Durban, finally leaving South Africa on 14th.

In that time she will give a large number of public lectures, launch the Hope Spots, meet with officials, interact with children, dive eight times (weather permitting) and more. Be sure not to miss her public speech and the launch of the Hope Spot and book, (South African Coasts. A celebration of our seas and shores) on the evening of the 4th December, at UCT.

The Cape Town Hope Spot (False Bay) came on board rather late and has not had the benefit of a dedicated committee to develop plans, as has been the case in other areas. Nevertheless, groups of people and different organizations have been working with SST to kindly help make arrangements. They are totally on track for the events and are finalizing details.

As there has not been a Cape Town based committee leading the process, this gap needs to be filled. The plan is to find a champion once the Hope Spot is launched. There are several possibilities and even some keen people who are being considered. Such decisions will be made in early 2015.

The role of SST and of Mission Blue is to facilitate the process, help with coordinated fund raising nationally and internationally and promote Hope Spots locally and internationally. Ideally Hope Spots need to be driven by their local, inclusive teams, led by a champion. Their aim is to achieve that ideal early in 2015.

Programme for December

• 4th - Cape Town; Visit Two Oceans Aquarium and interact with children, perhaps dive in the main tank; luncheon lecture and seminar at UWC, then formal launch at UCT with Minister Molewa in the evening.
• 5th - Dive in False Bay and have traditional sea-weed lunch. Then travel with a police escort from Simonstown to Hermanus, ensuring that the team gets through Friday traffic in time for mayoral reception in Hermanus.
• 6th - Hermanus Dive to unveil the Cape Whale Coast Hope Spot Plaque, interact with the public and schools during the day and give her presentations to launch Hope Spot in the evening.
• 7th - Business breakfast (Gansbaai) then travel to Knysna. In Knysna, after a boat trip on estuary with Minister Hanekom, Dr Earle will give her presentation and launch the Knysna Hope Spot at an evening function hosted by the Mayor. Minster Hanekom (Minister of Tourism) will be the South African Keynote Speaker.
• 8th - Morning activities with communities, children and short dive to see the Knysna sea horse. Unveil the Knysna Plaque will be a feature of the morning. Travel to Plettenberg Bay and then in the evening hold a public meeting followed by a gala dinner and launch of the Plett Hope Spot.
• 9th - Dive in Plett Hope Spot and unveil plaque, followed by community activities, children beach activities and interaction with researchers and educators.
• 10th - Dive in Tsitsikamma MPA celebrating the oldest MPA in the country in its 50th year; travel to PE to meet with Algoa Bay Hope Spot Committee.
• 11th - Dive in Algoa Bay, interact with public, communities and children on the beach, unveil plaque. In the evening, launch the Hope Spot at NMMU, South Campus auditorium in the evening.
• 12th - Fly to Durban. Interact with public and children at uShaka Marine World, possibly dive in main tank, then early evening presentation at uShaka Education Centre to launch Aliwal Hope Spot.
• 13th - Dive at Aliwal Shoal and then interact with local communities, divers, researchers and educators.

For more information and the full schedule please contact info@sst.org.za or visit www.sst.org.za