Category Archives: High Seas

A hidden forest of algae sponges and hydroids photographed at low tide; a stunning night image of green button polyps under ultraviolet light; and a beautiful shot of a honeycomb moray eel stuck on a ledge on a rocky shore. Mumbai may be a bustling metropolis, but photographer Sarang Naiks aesthetic and vibrant images of marine life show a different side of the city.

When Naik first started exploring the coast of urban Mumbai, Indias financial capital and home to Bollywood stars, he was astounded by the diversity of creatures that he came across from hermit crabs, barnacles and a baby octopus to zoanthids (colourful disc-shaped relatives of coral) and prickly sea urchins. The intertidal zone or foreshore where the land is exposed at low tide and is under water at high tide is home to diverse marine life over different terrains, from mudflats to beaches and mangroves.

Most of my images have the creatures against the city in the background, reminding us that these creatures have been here way before us, says Naik. Even after three years of taking these shore walks, I am often blown away by the sight of some new coral or rare species. You dont expect this kind of biodiversity in this concrete jungle.

Naik, who was born in the city, is a member of the Marine Life of Mumbai (MLOM), a collective of volunteers, marine biologists and enthusiasts co-founded by Pradip Patade, who played on Girgaum Chowpatty beach in southern Mumbai as a child. After he quit his job in human resources, Patade started teaching water sports and would walk along the shore taking pictures of the creatures he found there. He started MLOM with Abhishek Jamalabad, a marine biologist and certified diver, and Siddharth Chakravarty, an independent researcher in industrial fisheries, in February 2017.

Members upload their findings to iNaturalist, a biodiversity database accessed by expertsand have logged more than 484 species to date. MLOMs Instagram page has records of sightings from common hairy crabs to pistol shrimp, nassa mud snails and even portuguese man o war.

Jamalabad, who was born and raised in Mumbai, believes the intertidal zone has been largely neglected, not only in India, but across the world. This is ironic because its one of the most accessible of all marine habitats and has a multitude of unique creatures. It also plays an important part in the ecology and lifecycle of creatures which live in the deeper parts of the ocean.

The Indian Ocean squid, a commercially important species, breeds and lays its eggs in the intertidal zone. Many reef fish spend their juvenile period in this zone to avoid predatory creatures. Many fishermen not only depend on the high seas for their catch but also on the intertidal zone. Oyster picking is restricted to this zone and is a female-dominated occupation, unlike fishing. It is also important for the physical integrity of the coast, as it keeps it safe from the impact of storms, he says.

Sejal Mehta, editor at MLOM, says that the resilience of the creatures found on Mumbais shores is constantly surprising. As I started discovering the shores on different walks, from Haji Ali to Nepean Sea Road, what hit me was how prolific the marine life was in spite of all the plastic, sewage and marine pollution. It reminded me of the resilience of Mumbaikars who, despite all odds, thrive in this crowded and chaotic city.

Some creatures, like the gorgonian sea fan corals, which you expect to only see in crystal clear pristine waters, are found here along the shores. Every time the tide recedes, its a new world that you are looking at. Its as dynamic as the ebb and flow of the tides, she adds.

A sea fan coral at Breach Candy; sponges, zoanthids, hydroids and algae at the Marine Drive shore; colourful nudibranch sea slugs

Shaunak Modi, director of Coastal Conservation Foundation, a nonprofit organisation that evolved from MLOM in 2019 to extend the model beyond citizen science and take it to other parts of India, says: Though I grew up close to Juhu Beach, the narrative was always about the pollution, dirt and garbage, and I never expected to find any life on these shores. On one of my shore walks, I saw a cratena sea slug, an alien-looking creature that wowed me and cemented my place in MOLM. I was amazed at how much biodiversity existed on these shores.

The diverse marine life exists despite the constant onslaught of development in the city. We clearly should not build over the intertidal zone, but over 200 to 300 years this has been happening in Mumbai, with the shores getting landfilled for development, says Jamalabad.

The controversial Coastal Road project, which will run alongside the Arabian sea for 18 miles (29.2km), threatens corals and olive ridley sea turtles among other creatures, say campaigners. There was a lot of noise about the corals and some of it was translocated, but what about the other creatures and their habitats that would be affected by this development? says Modi.

The people who come on our walks are an extremely diverse bunch from graphic designers to doctors and architects. All want to get to know their city better, says Mehta. Hopefully, this will translate into an increasing awareness and desire to protect the precious shores so that future generations can enjoy them.

Find more age of extinction coverage here, and follow biodiversity reporters Phoebe Weston and Patrick Greenfield on Twitter for all the latest news and features

Originally posted here:

'Every time the tide recedes, it's a new world': Mumbai's marine life revealed - The Guardian

Cruises: Holidays on the high seas

Cruises: Holidays on the high seas

Every year more tourists set sail. Cruises are becoming increasingly popular around the world. More and more Germans are also vacationing on the high seas.

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Good news for cruise-Fans!

After almost two years of corona stress, the time has finally come: the masks are falling! You can find out here which cruises you can do without the mouth and nose cover on in the future.

After almost two years with Corona, there is hope for travelers. Even if the omicron wave has not yet swept over, some tour operators have now decided that one or the other measure on their ship can be overturned, as reported by Merkur.

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Cruise: You will no longer need masks on these trips! (archive image)

Photo: picture alliance / dpa | Cati Cladera

++++ Cruise: Will costs explode soon? This news does not bode well ++++

The shipping company Royal Caribbean is the first to abolish the mask requirement on Valentines Day, February 14th. As long as sufficient space is kept between guests, it is no longer necessary to wear a mask outdoors.

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Cruise: On some ships, the mask requirement outdoors is now lifted. (icon picture)

Photo: IMAGO / Sven Simon

Unfortunately, guests are still not allowed to do without mouth and nose protection indoors. The same applies here as usual: Bars, lounges, restaurants and shows to which vaccinated travelers have access are excluded.

Another shipping company is relaxing the measures for passengers.

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The same applies to the Norwegian Cruise Line: Here, too, guests can do without wearing a mask outdoors from March 1st. In the interiors, however, it is required again here. In addition, there is a vaccination requirement from the age of five, according to the Merkur. (ali)

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Cruise: THESE shipping companies are surprisingly relaxing the corona rules even the masks are falling - Then24.com

uxury cruising conjures many connotations: expansive ships, cultural excursions, myriad amenities, but not necessarily romance. Or so you thought. Celebrity Cruises is playing cupid this Valentines Day by offering an enticing array of amorous experiences, from ambient dinners and wine tastings beneath the stars to spoiling spa treatments for two, set against a backdrop of Europes most stunning cities.

An undisputed innovator when it comes to the high seas, Celebrity Cruises has shaken up the status quo with its pioneering fleet of luxury ships, which are akin to floating five-star resorts. The brand boasts Gwyneth Paltrow as its wellbeing advisor, consulting on everything from spa treatments to fitness classes, while world-class entertainment includes West End-level productions and enthralling performances created in partnership with American Ballet Theatre.Wake up every day to your own private balcony, as a new port glides into view.

Select from Celebrity Cruises considered line-up of European itineraries, setting sail this spring. Spark romance onboard a ten-night European cruise, where you will quaff red wine in Bordeaux; bask in ancient architecture in Bilbao; sample seafood in the soulful Portuguese capital of Lisbon and watch the sunset from Castillo de Montjuic in Barcelona.

Alternatively, revel in Renaissance architecture and ochre sunsets while cruising through the Italian Riviera and France, with ports in Provence, Nice and Florence. Enjoy leisurely, sun-soaked lunches in the wine region of Tuscany, frescoes and feasting in Sicily and Rome, or take a day trip to the ever-glamorous Capri.

Most excitingly, both of these voyages welcome you aboard the hotly anticipated new Celebrity Beyond cruise ship. Part of the Celebrity Edge series of ships, this trailblazing feat of architecture boasts an innovative, outward-facing design that houses no less than 32 different food and beverage experiences.

Intimacy and cruising may sound like an oxymoron, but Celebrity Beyond offers an extensive edit of onboard indulgences, designed with romance in mind. Sip cocktails in the multi-level, seriously cool Sunset Bar, imagined by American designer Nate Berkus, or lock eyes over fine dining cuisine at Le Voyage, the first-ever restaurant at sea by French chef Daniel Boulud. Mood-lit interiors are equally inviting, in soothing tones of amber and dusty pink.

In the holistic spa, enjoy a couples coconut melt massage or unwind in the therapeutic Salt Room, mosaic wrapped Hamman or Thermal Suite, with bubbling hot tubs and steamy saunas.

Kelly Hoppen CBE has lent her interior prowess to The Retreat, an exclusive space with a members club feel, which is only available to suite guests. It features a private lounge, restaurant and two-storey sundeck, where a dedicated concierge team will cater to your every whim.

Further afield, fall head over heels for the Galpagos Islands, a remote archipelago off the coast of Ecuador. Effortlessly segue from one island to the next aboard Celebrity Flora, a luxurious all-suite mega yacht that sleeps just 100 guests. Ideal for adventurers and nature enthusiasts, explore black turtle coves and secluded bays, while spotting dolphins and marine iguanas. Snorkel with sea lions, frolic with flamingos and enjoy al fresco meals against a breathtaking backdrop of azure water and rugged volcanic mountains.

For a fabulously fresh spin on romance, take to the waters where idyllic destinations, nightly sunsets and sumptuous surrounds make for a loved-up sojourn like no other.

Book before 28 February 2022 and save up to 2,400 per stateroom or 1,200 per person on Caribbean or European cruises and enjoy free flights to Europe. Celebrity Cruises is also offering 20% off cruise fares to the Galpagos, in addition to discounts on flights if booked as a package.

Every Celebrity Cruise includes drinks, wifi and tips as standard. Discover more here.

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The most romantic cruises to book in 2022 | International | Travel - Luxury London

OPED By Loro Horta

Under the AUKUS agreement, Australia is expected to build 8 nuclear attack submarines with American and British assistance, in part to counter China. Australias SSNs when operational could become vital reinforcements to the 14 US SSNs in a potential conflict with China. However, China is not sitting idly and is getting ready to confront its adversaries.

With 80 submarines, the Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has the highest proportion of submarines in relation to surface vessels than any other navy.

While the PLAN has about 67 conventionally powered subs, its nuclear attack submarine force remains rather small, at 6 ships. At a time when Australia is investing in nuclear attack submarines, China is focused elsewhere. Why is China not so enthusiastic about nuclear attack submarines, or at least for now?

SSNs have several advantages over conventional subs, which are usually electric diesel-powered. Nuclear attack submarines are faster, can dive deeper and have larger ranges of operations. As such they are much harder to detect and destroy than conventional submarines.

However, such vessels are much more expensive, costing on average 3 times more than conventional submarines, and technologically complex to build and maintain. Still, the proponents for SSNs argue that nuclear submarines are superior to conventional ones and the costs are worth it.

In the past decade, advances in conventional submarine technology have called into question some of the past assumptions concerning the advantages of nuclear attack submarines. Modern conventionally powered submarines are being equipped with diesel-electric engines with more advanced batteries that increase their speed and range.

Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology has made conventional subs stealthier. While conventional submarines cannot match SSNs in terms of range and speed, their stealth capabilities do not lag far behind.

The United States only operates nuclear-powered submarines, separated from the rest of the world by two large oceans and with military bases spread across the globe. The US navy needs nuclear-powered submarines because of their limitless range. SSNs are also used to escort American aircraft carrier battle groups as they traverse the vast expanses of the worlds oceans.

However, the PLANs immediate priority is to prepare for a possible conflict with the US Navy over Taiwan or in regional waters such as the South China Sea. Therefore, the advantages of SSNs are at least for now not that relevant for China.

For the PLAN, the range of SSNs is not terribly important during a conflict over Taiwan, for its the US Navy, which has to come all the way to meet the PLAN.

SSNs can dive deeper than conventional submarines. However, in the relatively shallow waters surrounding Taiwan and the South China Sea, such an advantage is questionable. When it comes to speed, modern conventional submarines can move quite fast within a small area of operations.

In a possible conflict over Taiwan, the 14 SSNs the US currently operates, not all deployed in the region, would have to get closer to the Chinese coast to support their surface fleet and hunt for Chinese submarines. As they get closer to the Chinese coast, the PLANs numeric superiority in submarines will be an enormous challenge.

While the PLANs submarine fleet will pose a formidable threat to the US Navy, its troubles are far from over. In recent years, China has been investing significant resources in advanced underwater sensors, sonar, and anti-submarine lasers technology to better identify and target US submarines.

The result is a growing transparency in the seas surrounding China. Chinas ability to detect American submarines at great distances is improving by the day. China has deployed underwater sensors that allow it to monitor US submarine activity as far as Guam.

Last year, a Chinese underwater drone was washed off the Indonesian island of Selayar close to Northern Australia.

Anti-submarine mines have also received substantial attention from the PLAN and underwater drones to attack American submarines are under development. While these underwater drones seem to be in a developmental stage, the fact that China now has one of the most advanced drone industries in the world should worry the US.

Some analysts have gone as far as predicting that in the next two decades, anti-submarine warfare will be so advanced as to make the submarine redundant. While this remains to be seen, it is certain that new technologies are making submarine operations far more dangerous.

With their limitless range, Australias planned 8 SSNs could reach the waters around Taiwan fast and substantially reinforce American submarine forces. Once they reach their objective, it remains to be seen how useful they will be. The PLAN doesnt seem to have any desire to fight a midway-type battle in the high seas.

China plans to fight the US and its allies closer to its shore where it has deployed thousands of missiles, drones, hundreds of modern fighters, advanced air defense systems, and where the waters are becoming transparently deadly by the day.

(The author is an academic and diplomat from Timor Leste. He is a graduate of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, the Chinese National Defense University, the U.S. Naval Post Graduate School and the American National Defense University.)

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Battle Of Submarines: Worlds Biggest Navy, Why China Could Be Ill-Prepared For A Deep-Sea Encounter With The US - EurAsian Times

It comes as a church Minister says he's used a church hall to isolate 14 boys, 13 of whom have tested positive.

The Efikasa Church was hit hard during Delta and now it's happening again with Omicron. There are 136 households linked to this church and two other partner churches are isolating.

"All of our houses were not designed to have a special place for isolation and I think all families, we are struggling because of that," says Victor Pouasi, Efikasa Church Minister.

Fourteen boys are isolating in the church hall. They'd been away on a trip when they learned their parents had the virus.

"When they came back, they were not allowed to stay home so they were forced to stay together," Pouasi says.

He says the support the boys have received has been excellent, although the isolation clock restarts for all 14 each time one tests positive.

"That could be part of the learning curve for the Government and for the health department and for everyone to learn from this case."

South Seas Healthcare is overseeing the church cluster and says overcrowding and a lack of options are frustrating families.

"Households that have families of 10-plus end up staying in isolation periods for up to 45 days," says Cherry Elisaia, South Seas community support isolation quarantine lead.

At the South Seas community isolation headquarters, the cluster's growth is monitored in real-time and shows in some cases up to 16 people are living in one house.

"Our experience is that we've got big families that have got elderly folks and also people with multiple health conditions," says Lemalu Silao Vaisola Sefo, South Seas CEO.

He says 15 families were escalated for alternative accommodation, but only three got a room in MIQ.

Health Minister Andrew Little told Newshub he's aware of the issues and is talking with DHBs about alternative accommodation. He said MBIE had access to 125 campervans but they'd only be allowed to be used in "exceptional" circumstances.

But the concern is campervans are not the solution.

"A campervan doesn't quite go far enough. We need to look at alternatives where big families can self-isolate," Sefo says.

Auckland is the epicentre of the Omicron outbreak, but Counties Manukau is the hardest-hit DHB with 2602 active cases, compared with 890 in Auckland and 580 in Waitemat.

Fifteen health and welfare providers met to discuss the overcrowding issue in Mngere.

"It is urgent, it's growing pretty rapidly at the moment," says Ula Letele, Grace Foundation CEO.

Between them they say they have access to houses that'll ease the pressure.

"We've got capacity for around 60 between us, but we don't have the funding to be able to fund it," Letele says.

In the meantime, the workload mounts.

"In the work that we've experienced in the past week, it definitely feels like we're in phase 3," Sefo says.

We're only in phase 2, and it's predicted the coming weeks will just get more intense.

More here:

Coronavirus: Campervans being used to isolate high-risk people in overcrowded households - Newshub

London, U.K., Lysaker, Norway, and Paris, France:OneWeb, the low earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications company, and Marlink, the smart network company, have joined forces to bring OneWebs high-speed, low latency connectivity to the maritime, energy, enterprise and humanitarian sectors.

Marlink operates a global industry leading VSAT network and has unrivalled market access providing remote communications across the maritime, offshore and onshore energy, enterprise, and humanitarian sectors. In partnership with OneWeb, Marlink will further enhance the capabilities of its hybrid network solutions and offer its customers truly differentiated, flexible, reliable and secure connectivity solutions, optimized for every application.

The two companies plan to concentrate on the energy sector in regions above the 50th parallel north from January 2022, expanding to the maritime, energy, enterprise and humanitarian sectors on a global scale from January 2023.

Together OneWeb and Marlink will deploy, test and demonstrate several types of user terminals and LEO connectivity services to customers across these market segments.

Alexandre de Luca, President Energy, Enterprise and Government at Marlinksaid: We are delighted to be working with OneWeb to deliver a new global, high-speed, low latency connectivity solution that is in strong demand by our remote communication customers across the market segments we serve.

Tore Morten Olsen, President Maritime at Marlinkadded: Together with OneWeb, we will significantly improve Marlinks hybrid connectivity solutions for our energy and maritime customers. Adding OneWebs capabilities will further enhance our smart hybrid network to support the digitalization of our customers remote operations, and in particular to enable our customers cloud applications.

Carole Plessy, OneWebs Vice President of Maritimesaid: OneWeb is building a new generation of business broadband services, powered by low earth orbit satellites to create a truly global connectivity network to the high seas. OneWeb, together with Marlink connectivity solutions, will allow the maritime industry a pathway to digitalisation, both on and offshore. Marlink is the highly respected industry leader and we are delighted to be introducing the first steps in our partnership to the industry.

OneWeb is making significant progress in building its constellation and currently has 394 satellites in low earth orbit, representing more than 60% of its planned fleet, delivering connectivity to customers in remote regions of Alaska, Canada and the North Sea. Launches will continue during 2022 to enable the company to offer commercial connectivity services globally for maritime in 2023.

Originally posted here:

Marlink and OneWeb to bring high-speed connectivity to the maritime, energy, enterprise, and humanitarian sectors - TelecomTV

Wednesday, 9 February 2022, 1:12 pmPress Release: Green Party

The Green Party is calling on the Government to support astrong global treaty at the United Nations to protect ouroceans, as Greenpeace hands over a 60,000 signature petitionat Parliament today.

Oceans are the lifeblood ofour planet, and if they are in trouble, so are we, saysGreen Party spokesperson for Oceans & Fisheries EugenieSage.

As a country of small islands with a long seavoyaging history and deep connection to the moana, AoteroaNew Zealand must stand up and be a leading voice at theUnited Nations for a robust and effective Global OceansTreaty.

The high seas the ocean areas beyondthe jurisdiction of any nation cover two thirds of thesurface of the planet, yet less than one percent of the highseas is protected.

A Global Oceans Treaty is anessential step towards countries working together to protectour oceans from industrial fishing, deepsea drilling,plastic pollution, sediment run off from land, seabedmining, and warming sea temperatures.

NewZealanders want the Government to act the time toprotect our oceans isnow.

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The Time To Protect Our Oceans Is Now - Scoop.co.nz

A massive ocean wave that was tracked off the west coast of Vancouver Island in 2020 is now considered the most extreme rogue wave ever recorded, according to scientists at the University of Victoria.

At 17.6 metres tall, the rogue swell reached as high as a four-storey building when it was detected near Ucluelet, B.C., in November 2020.

The wave is the subject of a new research paper published last week in the journal Scientific Reports by UVic scientists Johannes Gemmrich and Leah Cicon.

Also known as freak waves or killer waves, rogue waves are defined as one-off waves that reach at least twice as high as the surrounding ocean swell. Their tendency to occur with great force and little warning makes them especially dangerous for seafarers.

Scientists have been attempting to measure rogue waves since 1995, when the first such wave was recorded off Norway at a height of 25.6 metres.

Known as the "Draupner wave," it was spotted amid 12-metre seas, placing it at just over double the height of the surrounding waters.

While the Draupner wave was taller than the rogue wave measured off Ucluelet, the Ucluelet wave was nearly triple the height of the surrounding six-metre swells, and was therefore more "rogue" than its predecessor.

"Proportionally, the Ucluelet wave is likely the most extreme rogue wave ever recorded," said Gemmrich, who studies large waves off the B.C. coast as part of his work as a research physicist.

"Only a few rogue waves in high sea states have been observed directly, and nothing of this magnitude," he said. "The probability of such an event occurring is once in 1,300 years."

The wave was recorded by a sensor buoy deployed by MarineLabs Data Systems at Amphitrite Bank, approximately seven kilometres from the Ucluelet shoreline in water 45 metres deep.

The wave was the fourth crest in a group of 10 much smaller waves. "This is consistent with the fact that rogue waves generally occur near the centre of a group and are unexpected, i.e. there is not a gradual build-up of individual wave heights," the study authors wrote.

"The unpredictability of rogue waves, and the sheer power of these 'walls of water' can make them incredibly dangerous to marine operations and the public," said MarineLabs CEO Scott Beatty.

"The potential of predicting rogue waves remains an open question, but our data is helping to better understand when, where and how rogue waves form, and the risks that they pose," Beatty added.

The observation of the Draupner wave on Jan. 1, 1995, proved to scientists that rogue waves are more than seafarer folklore, the UVic researchers said. "Only a few rogue waves in high sea states have been observed directly, but they can pose a danger to marine operations, onshore and offshore structures, and beachgoers."

Beatty, the MarineLabs CEO, added that "capturing this once-in-a-millennium wave, right in our backyard, is a thrilling indicator of the power of coastal intelligence to transform marine safety."

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Record-breaking rogue wave identified off Vancouver Island | CTV News - CTV News VI

The drama around Rotterdams historic bridge continues as the Dutch Port said they had not received a request for a permit to temporarily dismantle a landmark bridge to allow Jeff Bezoss superyacht Y721 to pass. For those who have entered the party late, the Amazon Founders massive 417ft yacht Y721, the worlds biggest sailing yacht, was too tall to pass through Koningshaven Bridge. The giant three-masted ship needed the middle section of the bridge to be disassembled, locally known as De Hef.The news of the dismantling of the bridge has angered the locals. Around 1000 of them planned to throw rotten eggs on the yacht when it would have passed through De Hef in the summer. Via Facebook / @Pablo StrrmannThe bridges highest point is at 70 meters (nearly 230 feet), but Jeff Bezoss three-masted ship is more elevated and requires the dismantling to reach the high seas. The mayor of Rotterdam, Ahmed Aboutaleb, has since made a statement denying the claims. According to Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad, Aboutaleb said the news had been exaggerated and that no decision has yet been taken, not even an application for a permit.

Rotterdams mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb told a Dutch newspaper no decision has been taken yet to dismantle the bridge.The Guardian shared, The municipality will make its decision after a permit application is filed and the impact has been assessed, including if it can be done without damaging the bridge and whether Bezos will foot the bill, the mayor said. Meanwhile, in Rotterdam, locals have taken to Facebook to plan Throwing eggs at Jeff Bezos superyacht in protest to save the 100-year-old De Hef. Almost 1,500 people have marked themselves going to the event, and more than 5000 people were interested in the mass hurling of rotten eggs at the $500 million superyacht.

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The mayor of Rotterdam denies any plan to dismantle a historic bridge for Jeff Bezos' mega yacht. However, if the Amazon centibillionaire asks his...

You're invited to the 'Board Meeting' - Wavescape Surf & Ocean Festival by Vans

Surfers and ocean lovers, get ready for the ultimate Board Meeting a multi-day festival beaming with events surrounding the seascape.

The Wavescape Surf & Ocean Festival presented by Vans will be held from 1-11 March 2022, and will comprise a diverse lineup of ocean-minded events, including film screenings, talks, art exhibitions, a charity auction, a lecture, community upliftment days, ocean expo, live music, a photographic competition and a public mural.

Festival Director Shani Judes said: We are excited to announce that we have moved from December 2021 to March 2022. Our reasons are to mitigate against the continued threat posed by COVID-19, to grow festival attendance during a less busy time of the year, and of course, the weather in Cape Town is generally kinder to us late in the summer!

We are pleased that all our core events will return, with an outdoor screening at The Galileo Open Air Cinema to replace Clifton, which is the only casualty to COVID. We have a bumper lineup, with cool new additions such as The Board Meeting expo, surfboard swop and surf party, the Ocean Photographic Competition, and two new venues for film screenings: one up the West Coast and one in the deep south of the Cape Peninsula, she said.

The Film Festival component includes five days of film screenings at four venues the Shred in Paarden Eiland, the Labia Theatre in town, the Galileo at Kirstenbosch and one in Kommetjie.

The Board Meeting takes place at Jack Blacks Taproom, and will feature an exhibition by leading sustainable ocean eco-brands and conservation organisations, a surfboard swop and childrens activities, topped off by a DJ and band.

Wavescape has teamed up with Orms, Canon and SJ Artists to curate the Ocean Photographic Exhibition, which features the best ocean photographs in South Africa. The competition opens for submissions in early December and runs until 15 January 2022. Judges will choose 20 images for an exhibition along the Sea Point Promenade from 1 March. There will be a NSRI panel with information and donation information for people to easily donate to the NSRI.

Wavescape returns with the famous Artboard Project, when handcrafted surfboards are the canvas for SAs top artists that go on exhibition and are auctioned for ocean organisations and youth development program 9Miles. Wavescape will also run the Wesgro Blue Ocean Master Class for aspirant environmental filmmakers, the Save Our Seas Foundation Beach Reach on Dalebrook beach in front of the SOSF-Shark Education Center in Kalk Bay, and Spikes Swell Course, an evening of surf forecasting and wave science.

Slide Night returns to the Centre for the Book with some of the worlds best creative and scientific minds advocating social and environmental change, from scientists to artists, authors to activists, as well as salty tales of adventure and scientific curiosity from the high seas.

Wavescape again hosts Oceans Alive at the Two Oceans Aquarium, an evening of surfing, activism and conservation. This year, they join Cape Town-based NPO Protect the West Coast to shed light on the effects of illegal heavy mineral sand mining along this pristine wilderness to the North.

With the support of the Wesgro Film and Promotion Unit, the Blue Ocean Masterclass focuses on film techniques in and on the ocean, and includes top cinematographers and underwater camera experts sharing thoughts and expertise on the technology and skill of this burgeoning area.

Wavescape welcomes its partners on board for another epic year together. Vans takes the title, with the following partners: the Save Our Seas Foundation, The PET Recycling Company NPC (PETCO), Jack Black Beer, Wesgro, Cefas (UK Government), WILDOCEANS & Gone. Born from a love for the ocean, Wavescape is proud of the work done by its amazing partners who work so tirelessly to protect the worlds oceans and their creatures.

2022: Line Up

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You're invited to the 'Board Meeting' - Wavescape Surf & Ocean Festival by Vans - CapeTown ETC