Blog

Southwest Madagascar Coastal Current

Oceanographers discover new ocean current: Southwest Madagascar Coastal Current

Two Oceans We spend a lot of time in our Citizen Science day and biodiversity lectures speaking about oceanography and the Agulhas and Benguela currents. It is largely because of these two ocean currents that Cape Town sees such a rich diversity of marine and terrestrial life. There really aren’t many places in the world where you can experience a variety of habitats in such close proximity. A short tour of the Cape peninsula will Read more…

By dylan, ago

Killer whales and Great white sharks! Who’s the real king of the ocean?

Great white sharks are one of the oceans most notorious shark species, a top apex predator with one of the most remarkable and eye-catching predatory hunting behaviors documented in the natural world, the Polaris breach.   White sharks have often split the publics opinions, filling some people with inquisitive questions and fascination whilst being the source of fear for many others. Whatever your thoughts on the white shark, there is no denying that they are Read more…

By Test Student, ago

The False Bay Hope Spot! What is a Hope Spot? and what is their purpose?

  False Bay, an area of natural beauty and biodiversity! False Bay is one of the most varied and diverse areas in the world for marine life and plays host to an abundance of species large and small, from an eclectic array of colourful nudibranchs, sponges and sea anemones to mega-fauna species including the Humpback whale, seven gill sharks and of course the iconic white shark. The False Bay area offers superb dive sites and Read more…

By Test Student, ago
School of fish in kelp

Incredible Kelp, Keystone of the Environment

We’re in love with all things kelp here at Cape RADD. We love kelp and we love lookin’ at it. Kelp forever! That’s why we loved this new Open-Access article published Tuesday in the journal Functional Ecology. Noisette F, Hurd C. Abiotic and biotic interactions in the diffusive boundary layer of kelp blades create a potential refuge from ocean acidification. Funct Ecol. 2018;00:1–14. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.13067 So, what did they find? Let’s start with some background. Kelp, Read more…

By dylan, ago

What is a BioBlitz and how do they help biologists?

The Cape RADD Big Bad BioBlitz!  Attention all SCUBA Divers, Snorkelers and ocean lovers! Cape RADD are excited to be invited to the Cape Town Dive festival as a competition organizer this year! This is Cape RADD’s first time at the Dive festival and we will be running a BioBlitz extravaganza over the two-day event in Cape Town. This is a sponsored prize event too so there will be a top banana prize to be Read more…

By Test Student, ago
Freediver underwater

What are apnea tables?

And how can they improve my freediving? First-time freedivers are often asking about a ‘magic bullet’ that will unlock their breath holds; a secret trick that enables us to stay down for so long. Perhaps it’s because seemingly anyone can become a freediver. And rightfully so, anyone can, and some of the first lessons I teach involve simple adjustments to the way we approach holding our breath that do result in quick improvements. It’s important Read more…

By dylan, ago
Internship students attend a lecture on biodiversity

Internships – Choosing a volunteer or internship program

Volunteering? Internship? What am I doing? Which is right for me? We’ve all experienced the chicken-egg dilemma that is the work experience-job application. “Applicant must have 5 years experience.” So how do you get yourself out of this situation and into the work pool? How do you get job experience when all jobs require experience? Sign up for an internship or a field course! The internship: a history Let’s begin with a brief history of Read more…

By Test Guide, ago

International Day of Women and Girls in Science

Women and girls all over the world continue to be excluded from participating fully in science. On this International Day it is important to spread awareness to end discriminatory stereotypes, create equal access to education and establish more opportunities for career and skill progression.  I’ve asked the marine biologists at Cape RADD who their most inspirational female in Science is, and how are Cape RADD helping inspire the younger generation to get into marine science. Read more…

By Test Guide, ago
Make The Oceans Great Again

Donald Trump wants all sharks to die

Make The Oceans Great Again The transcript of a bizarre 2011 interview with adult film star Stormy Daniels is making the “real news” rounds this weekend. Real news in that it is not fake news, but I still wouldn’t consider it really news. The interview details Daniels’ alleged 2006 affair with the now POTUS, but the take away for us was this gem: “he was watching Shark Week… He is obsessed with sharks. Terrified of Read more…

By dylan, ago
Diver with slate

A Citizen Scientist’s Place in Marine Conservation

A Citizen Scientist’s Place in Marine Conservation What is Citizen Science? Citizen Science is a relatively new phenomenon whereby ‘non-specialists’ e.g. the general public can get involved with collecting and analysing data on various topics and species alongside scientists. “projects in which volunteers partner with scientists to answer real-world questions “                   How does Citizen Science work? Ultimately the aim of any conservation research project is to put Read more…

By Test Student, ago