Champions of the Ocean

9 MILES PROJECT
https://9milesproject.org/
A project born on the Cape Flats that has spread to Elands Bay and Cape St Francis to provide impoverished children with educational support, life training, sport and therapy to prepare them for adulthood. @9milesproject

BEACH CO-OP
https://www.thebeachcoop.org/
With an emphasis on single use plastic pollution around South Africa, their vision is to connect ocean communities, government and business and regenerate South Africa's coastal heritage. @thebeachco_op

BLACK MERMAID FOUNDATION
https://www.blackmermaid.co.za
Zandile Ndhlovu is the Black Mermaid and this is her blog that aims to bring the world closer to the ocean by using breath hold to learn self and explore through "an eye of wonder". @zandithemermaid

CAPTAIN FANPLASTIC
https://captainfanplastic.com/
Youth-focused programme that incorporates theory, creativity and gamification to bring the impact of plastics home to communities - to foster a sense of environmental custodianship in future generations. @captain_fanplastic

I AM WATER FOUNDATION
https://www.iamwaterfoundation.org/
The brainchild of champion freediver Hanlie Prinsloo, I am Water goes beneath the waves to help people understand their personal opportunity to protect the planet. @iamwater_foundation

INSECO
https://inseco.co.za
A startup that aims to farm and harvest insects to create protein for human and animal consumption, thus saving a vast amount of fish from being caught for fish meal. @inseco_bsf

LITTER BOOM PROJECT
https://www.thelitterboomproject.com/
To prevent marine plastic pollution by targeting river systems with the installation of physical barriers and filtration systems, and to educated inland communities. @the_litterboom_project

MARINE STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL (MSC)
https://www.msc.org/
Global entity that changes public opinion towards seafood and ocean health by offering certification programmes for fisheries to harvest sustainably, which enables consumers to eat sustainably. @mscecolabel

MEAN SEA LEVEL
https://www.meansealevel.com/
Their goal is commercially viable energy via land-based turbines that harnessing wave energy via a series of sea walls, reservoirs and turbines.

NATIONAL SEA RESCUE INSTITUTE
https://www.nsri.org.za/
A volunteer rescue organisation on call 24/7 around South Africa to save lives on South African waters inland and offshore, and an educational platform for water-safety initiatives. @nsri

OCEANEERS
https://www.oceaneers.co/
The ocean ‘food choice’ initiative aims to educate people about the need to begin moving away from eating fish and other ocean flora to sustainably sourced plant-based alternatives. @oceaneers.co

OCEAN HUB
https://www.oceanhub.africa/
WAims to connect, inspire and support entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, businesses and other stakeholders to accelerate the development and adoption of new sustainable ocean solutions across Africa. @oceanhub_africa

OCEAN IMPACT
https://oceanimpact.co.za/
This youth-orientated division of Wild Oceans wants 10% of the SA coastline protected. They use various campaigns and projects to spread this goal, including the #ListentotheOcean campaign. @oceanimpactsa

OCEAN PLEDGE
https://oceanpledge.org/
To co-create the groundswell of positive change, shifting paradigms and turn the tide on single-use plastic, and to get rid of our throw away culture. @oceanpledge

ORCA FOUNDATION
http://orcafoundation.com/
Focused on Plettenberg Bay, they support research and community projects, teach children about the value of our oceans and install a sense of community via collaboration with other conservation groups. @orca_foundation_south_africa

PROTECT THE WEST COAST
https://www.protectthewestcoast.org/
Prevent and provide sustainable alternatives to illegal and destructive heavy mineral sand mining up the West Coast that threatens flora and fauna, and the livelihoods of coastal communities. @protectthewestcoast

SEA CHANGE PROJECT
https://seachangeproject.com/
The group of ocean minded people behind My Octopus Teacher, they tell stories (particularly from the kelp forests of the Cape) that connect people to the wild, motivating them to become part of the regeneration of our planet. @seachangeproject

SAVE OUR SEAS FOUNDATION
https://saveourseas.com
An arm of the global foundation, the Save Our Seas Shark Education Centre in Kalk Bay immerses children in experientially focused educational activities while working to spread a broader conservation message. @saveourseasfoundation @sharkcentre

SENTINEL OCEANS ALIANCE
https://sentineloceanalliance.org/
Empowers a new generation of Ocean Guardians through educational, ocean safety and lifesaving programmes, including the world's first Parley Ocean School. @sentinelocean

SHARK SAFE BARRIER
https://www.sharksafesolution.com/
A company that builds physical barriers to keep sharks separate from humans so that the two species may live in peaceful existence without the need for shark culling techniques. @sharksafebarrier

SHARK SPOTTERS
https://sharkspotters.org.za/
Researches safety solutions to reduce shark incidents, provides emergency beach response and education on shark behaviour and ecology, as well as employment and skills development for shark spotters. @sharkspotters

SOUTH AFRICAN ASSOCIATION FOR MARINE BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH (SAAMBR)
https://www.saambr.org.za/
Generates scientific data through the Oceanographic Research Institute, inspires ocean care through uShaka Sea World, and empowers people through uShaka Sea World Education. @sa_marine_biological_research

SOUTH AFRICAN SMALL SCALE FISHERS COLLECTIVE
No website found
A collaborative group comprising traditional fishing communities up the West Coast who are fighting for the right to claim a fair share of the bounty of the sea in a sustainable, culturally appropriate way.

SOUTHERN AFRICAN SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD INITIATIVE
https://wwfsassi.co.za
Drives compliance in the seafood industry by working with suppliers and sellers of seafood, as well as informing and inspiring consumers to make sustainable seafood choices via awareness campaigns and technology. @wwfsassi

SOUTHERN AFRICAN FOUNDATION FOR THE CONSERVATION OF COASTAL BIRDS (Sanccob)
https://sanccob.co.za/
Rescue and rehabilitate sea birds from natural or human-made disasters, rear abandoned chicks, assist authorities to mitigate oil spill risks, as well as educational programmes, research and internships. @sanccob

SOUTH AFRICAN WHALE DISENTANGLEMENT NETWORK (SAWDN)
No website found
Provides a dedicated rescue action plan to assist entangled whales, prevent injuries and reduce mortalities to whales by removing gear as safely as possible.

SURF 4 EARTH
https://surf4earth.com
Surf4Earth is an eco surf brand that produces EPS eco surfboards, and is devoted to creating a sustainable surfing future for all surfers and ocean lovers. @surf.4.earth

SURFERS NOT STREET CHILDREN
https://www.surfnotstreets.org/
Created by UK surfer Tom Hewitt who teamed up with surfing coach Sandile “Cyril” Mqadi, this Durban-based organisation uses surfing, mentorship and care-based culture to rehabilitate street children. @surfersnotstreetchildren

SUSTAINABLE SEAS TRUST
https://sst.org.za/
Sustainable Seas Trust (SST) is a science-based organisation that works to protect Africa’s marine resources for the benefit of all who live on the continent. @sustainableseastrust

TWO OCEANS AQUARIUM EDUCATION FOUNDATION
https://aquariumfoundation.org.za/
As its name implies, this foundation utilies aquarium resources to manage sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation and release, as well as marine sciences courses, outreach programmes and school education programmes. @aquariumfoundation

VELD AND SEA
https://veldandsea.com/
Renowned wild food forager Roushanna Gray offers educational, immersive and flavour-full experiences harvesting and preparing food from the bounty of our nearshore coastal terrain. @veldandsea

WAVESCAPE SURF AND OCEAN FESTIVAL
https://www.wavescapefestival.com/
A platform for ocean conservation and beach culture to gain reach to an audience passionate about surfing and preserving our oceans. Through film screenings, talks, beach cleanups, ocean content and marine forecasts, the underlying call is to join the global wave of sustainability and ocean activism. @WavescapeSA

WAVES FOR CHANGE
https://waves-for-change.org/
Provides child-friendly mental health services and sports activities such as surfing and surf coaching for at-risk children who have been exposed to trauma in under-resourced communities. @wavesforchange

WORLD WILDLIFE FUND
https://www.wwf.org.za
Apart from terrestrial activity, WWF works for healthy oceans through engagement with government, business, communities and consumers towards an integrated approach to conservation. @wwfsouthafrica