9 to 13 March 2026
The Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve (GCBR), together with CapeNature and members of Stilbaai U3A, invite the public to a number of activities and events to create more awareness about the Stilbaai Marine Protected Area, its ecological significance, potential threats and conservation efforts.

PROGRAMME

Monday 9 March, 11:00

iNaturalist training session – Jolandie Buck (GCBR).
iNaturalist is a free app and website where people upload photos of plants, animals, fungi, and other organisms in nature. It can be used by the public, conservationists, and scientists to identify species and track biodiversity around the world. Please download the iNaturalist app on your phone or laptop before you come to the workshop.
Venue: Tuin-op-die-Brak.
Entrance: Free
Bookings: wilhelm@gouritz.com

Tuesday 10 March, 9:00

Guided beach walk – with shell expert (Dr Deon Begeman), botanist (Christina Mars), and biologist (Dr Wilhelm de Beer).
Venue: Skulpiesbaai parking lot (at Visvywers)
Entrance: Free
Bookings: wilhelm@gouritz.com

Thursday 12 March, 17:00-19:30

Marine Awareness Mini-Symposium, with various expert speakers
Venue: Stilbaai Community Hall
Bookings: admin@gouritz.com
Entrance Fee: R50 minimum donation to GCBR Friends of the Biosphere programme to support local conservation efforts

Chairperson: Dr Alan Wheeler (Cape Nature)
• Welcome (Linda Fletcher, Acting CEO, GCBR) (5 min)
• Prof. Colin Attwood (Marine Biologist & Head of the Biological Sciences Department, University of Cape Town) – The global importance of Marine Protected Areas, with special emphasis on the Stilbaai MPA (30 min)
• Jean Tresfon (Marine Conservation Photographer) – Spectacular Stilbaai – An Aerial Perspective of Stilbaai & Surrounds (15 min)
• Jean du Plessis (CapeNature Stilbaai) – The Stilbaai Marine Protected Area: background and management of the fish traps (10 min)
• Dr Stephen Lamberth (Fisheries scientist at DFFE) – Fish of the Goukou Estuary (15 min)
• Georgina Jones (Scuba photographer and author of reef field guides, Southern Underwater Research Group) – Marine invertebrates of the Stilbaai Marine Protected Area and surrounds (15 min)
• Mark Dixon (Strandloper Project) – Plastic and fishing pollution on the Stilbaai coastline (15 min)
• Johan van Rooyen (U3A Bird Group) – Birds of the Stilbaai Marine Protected Area (15 min)
• Dr Wilhelm de Beer (Extension officer coastal area, GCBR) – Conservation efforts in the Goukou Catchment Area (10 min)
• Question panel (20 min)

Friday 13 March, 09:00

The Stilbaai fish traps management review. A round table discussion with stakeholders.
Venue: Hessequa Municipal Boardroom, Stilbaai
Entrance: Free
Booking essential: jduplessis@capenature.co.za