PROGRAMME OF EVENTS7 - 13 OCTOBER 2013

SAVE OUR OCEANS. SAVE OUR SEABIRDS.www.sosfestival.co.za

‘Greening the minds that shape our planet’s future.’

GreenMatter is a cross-sectoral network of partners championing transformation and the development of a range of graduate skills for biodiversity.

One of South Africa’s critical ecosystems, our oceans, are brimming with life and are home to an estimated 15% of known coastal species. However, our oceans and the life they support are threatened, and the shortage of relevant and quality skills for biodiversity, lends to our ability to better protect our oceans. One of the key focus areas of GreenMatter is to engage with youth to support the development of the next generation of talent for biodiversity.

It is for this reason that GreenMatter has partnered with BirdLife South Africa for the SOS Festival to support the integration of biodiversity skills development and careers. Through a series of workshops, lectures and interactive platforms, university students can learn about exciting study paths, rewarding career opportunities and how to develop critical skills required by employers.

For more information visit www.greenmatter.co.za

Skills for Biodiversity greenmatterza GreenMatterZA @GreenMatterZA

South Africa’s oceans are home to a rich spectrum of life, from vibrant penguin colonies and gigantic albatrosses, to productive fisheries and rebounding whale and dolphin populations. But marine life is in trouble. Seabirds are classified as the most threatened group of birds in the world. BirdLife South Africa is at the forefront of seabird conservation globally. Our Albatross Task Force has made huge strides towards ensuring albatrosses are around for future generations, while our Seabird Division runs projects to help the embattled African Penguin. But we need to step up our efforts if we are to protect all seabirds and ocean life. Conserving our marine heritage is everyone’s business, and together we can have a greater impact. Since its inception in 2009, the SOS Festival has become an important platform to spread the message of marine conservation to the public, and of course, celebrate our oceans and the wonderful creatures that inhabit them. Key partners and sponsors include the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), Iziko Museums of South Africa, GreenMatter, and the Hans Hoheisen Charitable Trust.

For more information visit www.sosfestival.co.za

Introduction

BIRDLIFE SOUTH AFRICA SEABIRD DIVISION

PROGRAMME IZIKO SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM

Marine Conservation Lecture Series

Come and hear how marine conservation research is conducted, what the big issues are, and how the BBC makes its documentaries. Complimentary light snacks and drinks will be served.

Venue Iziko South African Museum, 25 Queen Victoria Street, Cape TownDates 7, 9 and 11 OctoberTime 18h30 for 19h00Cost FreeBooking www.sosfestival.co.za

18H30 FOR 19H00 MONDAY 7 OCTOBER Speaker Associate Professor Colin Attwood, Department of Zoology, University of Cape Town.Topic Marine protected areas: impediments to offshore expansion.

The Save Our Seabirds Festival will be opened by our partners, the Department of Environmental Affairs and GreenMatter.

The Oceans of Life Photographic Exhibition will be formally opened and the ORYX award and Canon prize will be presented to the winners of the competition.

18H30 FOR 19H00 WEDNESDAY 9 OCTOBER

Speaker Emeritus Professor George Branch from the University of Cape Town.Topic Ecosystem effects of the things we eat: from benthos to birds.

The lecture will be preceded by a presentation of a special conservation award to Harry Dilley and raffle draw for pelagic birding trip with Zest for Birds, courtesy of John Graham and Trevor Hardaker.

18H30 FOR 19H00 FRIDAY 11 OCTOBER

Speaker Mike Gunton, Creative Director of the BBC Natural History Unit.Topic The making of ‘Africa’: The secrets of a natural history blockbuster.

The BBC NHU Africa series journeyed to the four corners of the continent from the roof of Africa to the deserts of the Sahara, to where the jungles of the Congo meet the Atlantic, to the dramatic seas off the Cape. This is the story behind the story – the trials, tribulations and occasional triumphs – and how the series was made.

In recognition of its strong support for marine conservation, Iziko South African Museums has collaborated with BirdLife South Africa in hosting the SOS Festival lecture series and exhibition.

PROGRAMME IZIKO SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM

DAILY FROM 7 OCTOBER

Oceans of Life Photographic Competition

BirdLife South Africa’s Seabird Division once again will exhibit photographs for the annual SOS Festival Photographic Competition. The theme of the photographic competition is ‘Oceans of Life’, and the exhibition includes stunning photography of a wide array of marine biodiversity, including seabirds, cetaceans, fish, as well as coastal species from around the world.

1ST PRIZE

The ORYX Award: A trip for 2 to Spitsbergen, Norway, sponsored by One Ocean Expeditions worth almost R150 000.

2ND PRIZE

Canon EOS 7D & 18 -135mm IS Lens Kit sponsored by Canon South Africa valued at R21 000

The top 50 photos from the Oceans of Life photographic competition will be on display at the Iziko South African Museum. Venue Iziko South African Museum, 25 Queen Victoria Street, Cape TownDates 7 October to 20 NovemberTime 10h00 to 17h00Cost Museum entrance feeBooking None required

PROGRAMME IZIKO SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM

PROGRAMME UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN

Career Coffee Lounges

Five Career Coffee Lounges will be running in parallel at the University of Cape Town in the following departments: Marine Biology, Zoology, Environmental and Geographical Sciences, Management and Economics, and Anthropology. Join young and established leaders as they provide insights into their varying study and career paths towards supporting biodiversity and sustainability.

Venue University of Cape TownDate Wednesday, 9 OctoberTime 09h00 -11h00

Open to tertiary students from other universities, transport will be provided.

For more information visit www.greenmatter.co.za

An Expert Panel Discussion

Bridging the Divide: critical skills and tools of the trade needed, enhancing employability towards working for biodiversity. Facilitated by Kieno Kammies of 567 CapeTalk who will be joined by various leaders and professionals working for biodiversity, including Justin Smith, Head of Sustainability at Woolworths; Dr. Ross Wanless, Head of the Seabird Division at BirdLife; Dr Jimmy Khanyile, Head of HCD at Oceans and Coasts; Prideel Majiedt, GreenMatter Fellow and SANBI Marine Programme; Dean Ferreira, CEO of the NCC-Group; amongst others.

Venue University of Cape Town, Leslie Social Science Building, Lecture Room LS 1B Department of Environmental and Geographical SciencesDate Wednesday, 9 OctoberTime 12h00 -14h00

This will be followed by snacks and beverages, and an opportunity to network with our panel members and guests. Open to tertiary students from other universities.Transport will be provided.

For more information visit www.greenmatter.co.za

PROGRAMME UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN

PROGRAMME NATIONALLY

SOSExplore Quest

Win a Samsung Galaxy S4, iPad Mini and other fantastic prizes. This exciting online competition is based on a treasure hunt concept. Your quest is to complete correctly as many missions as you can. The more you do, the better your chances of winning.

Register www.sosfestival.co.za/questStarts Now openCloses Sunday, 13 October Who

WWF-SASSI Marine Pledge Board

Venues Two Oceans Aquarium (Cape Town) South African Shark Conservancy (Hermanus) Joburg Zoo (Johannesburg) uShaka Marine World (Durban)Date 7 - 3 OctoberTime 09h00 - 17h00Who Attention kids of all ages. Come and pledge to buy only green-listed fish - fish that is good for you and good for our oceans by colouring in a pledge board. Booking None required

Residents of South Africa. Ages 12-21 years

De Hoop Stretton’s Stanford Bird Fair

The 9th annual De Hoop Stretton’s Stanford Bird Fair is being held from the 1 to 6 October 2013. This annual event is being held a week later than usual this year, to link with the Save Our Seabirds Festival. The small town of Stanford has become well-known in recent years through its annual birding fair. Located between Kleinbaai and Hermanus, famous for Great White Shark cage diving and the annual Whale Festival respectively, Stanford is a prime Southern Cape birding destination.

In addition to the exciting line up of presenters, the event will also host a number of field outings into the surrounding areas that will highlight just how special a birding destination Stanford really is. During the week there are a variety of outings to places such as Elim, Rooi Els, Stony Point, Overberg, the Klipgat Caves and Dyer Island. There will also be two trips to De Hoop Nature Reserve - one by road and one by air. A new bird hide at the Willem Appel Dam will be opened and there are a range of daily activities, boat cruises, a photo exhibition, camera and binocular demonstrations and children’s activities.

Dates 1 - 6 October Detailed programme www.stanfordbirdclub.co.za Bookings stanfordbirdfair@gmail.com

PROGRAMME DE HOOP STRETTON

TIMES FRIDAY 4 OCTOBER

11h00 - 12h00 Birds of the Andes and Amazon by Vernon Head and Mel Tripp12h00 - 13h00 The Endangered Blue Crane by Vickus Leeuwner14h00 - 15h00 Conservation in the Western Cape by Dale Wright15h00 - 17h00 Introduction to bird photography sponsored by Nikon, presented by Peter Chadwick17h30 Photographic competition prize giving sponsored by Stretton’s19h30 - 23h00 Gala dinner and fundraising auction hosted by Mark Anderson and David Bullard (Cost: R250pp)

PROGRAMME DE HOOP STRETTON

TIMES SATURDAY 5 OCTOBER

12h15 - 13h00 Why bird in the Western Cape by Dr Anton Odendal15h00 - 16h00 Seabirds of the islands of South Africa by Peter Chadwick16h00 - 16h30 Rocking with the Birds by Dave de Beer10h00 - 23h00 Village food, wine, beer, craft and music festival

PROGRAMME DURBAN

SOS Festival Launch

The SOS Festival comes to Durban this year, with the 2012 Oceans of Life photographic exhibition and an evening cocktail function with lectures and the opening of the festival.

Venue uShaka Marine World, 1 King Shaka Avenue, DurbanDate Monday, 7 October17h00 Book Signing - Shorebirds of South Africa by Steve Davis & Roy Cowgill17h30 Light drinks at uShaka Marine Lecture Theatre18h00 Presentation by Judy Mann, “Status of the African Penguin: heading towards exinction”. Followed by David Allan/Martin Taylor on “Seabirds of the South African East Coast”.20h30 Snacks to be served after presentation21h00 Visit the photographic exhibition and the aquariumCost NoneBooking Jessica Pillay 031 328 8222/jessica@saambr.org.za

PROGRAMME DURBAN

Mini Photo Exhibition

The top 50 photographs from the 2012 Oceans of Life photographic competition (last year’s winners) will be on display at uShaka Marine World.

Venue uShaka Marine World, 1 King Shaka Avenue, DurbanDate 7 October - 20 NovemberTime 09h00 - 17h00, dailyCost uShaka entrance feesBookings None required

AFRICAN PENGUIN SATELLITE TRACKING

This year’s SOS Festival pays special attention to the plight of the African Penguin. Since the turn of the 20th century we have lost 99% of the entire population. To combat this, the BirdLife Seabird Division has fitted 16 penguins with satellite tracking devices. African Penguins act as an early warning system for environmental threats, and through the data gathered we will be able to have a better understanding, not only of the penguins themselves, but the health of our oceans as well.

To follow the penguins visit www.sosfestival.co.za @seabird_sos #SOSFest2013

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS FESTIVAL SPONSORS

BirdLife South Africa gratefully acknowledges the creative and strategic resources donated by Utopia.

Tel +27 (0)11 789 1122Fax +27 (0)11 789 5188

Email info@birdlife.org.zaWeb www.birdlife.org.za

This programme is printed on environmentally friendly paper.

BIRDLIFE SOUTH AFRICA (HEAD OFFICE) CONTACT DETAILS