Marine Dynamics Wins ATTA® Award
Marine Dynamics Shark and Whale Tours has been honoured with the ATTA® Marine Impact Award during the Experience Africa Travel Conference in London on 23 June 2025. The award recognises organisations making a tangible difference in protecting Africa’s marine and coastal environments while fostering long-term community benefits.
Accepting the award on behalf of Marine Dynamics was Fern Montgomery, Sales Director in London at 3Sixty Luxury Marketing, a valued tourism partner and friend.
Now in its inaugural year, the ATTA® Marine Impact Award shines a spotlight on organisations whose marine or coastal initiatives have measurable impacts on conservation, education and community engagement along Africa’s coastlines.
Marine Dynamics is a leader in marine eco‑tourism in Gansbaai, South Africa. Over the past 25 years, the organisation has seamlessly combined shark cage diving and whale-watching with marine science, education, pollution initiatives, and community empowerment. Its ecosystem includes the Dyer Island Conservation Trust, the African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary (APSS), the Marine Dynamics Academy volunteer programme, and a tourism hub at the Great White House.
CapeNature CEO Dr Ashley Naidoo congratulated Marine Dynamics on receiving the ATTA® Marine Impact Award.
As a long-standing partner through their work on Dyer Island and with the Dyer Island Conservation Trust, Marine Dynamics play an important role in supporting our conservation efforts along the Overberg coastline. Their work contributes to the protection of marine species and habitats, while also creating opportunities for education, skills development, and scientific research. This international recognition highlights the value of consistent work over many years
By leveraging tour-based marine observations and partnerships with marine biologists, Marine Dynamics has contributed to over 30 peer-reviewed scientific papers—advancing understanding of key species and informing conservation policy.
Judges of the ATTA® Marine Impact Award praised the finalists, noting the importance of initiatives that both preserve ocean ecosystems and empower local coastal communities.
This award is a testament to what’s possible when conservation and tourism are united with purpose. Over 25 years, our team’s commitment to scientific research, local upliftment, and marine stewardship has established a new model for sustainable tourism. We are honoured to receive this international recognition and inspired to continue protecting our ocean heritage.
Related News
Western Cape conservation efforts highlighted on World Biodiversity Day
Every year on 22 May, International Day for Biological Diversity (or World Biodiversity Day) is commemorated, and is meant to increase awareness about the many wonders of biodiversity, the numerous threats to it, and more importantly, what we can do to reduce or eliminate these threats. It marks 34 years since the Convention on Biological Diversity (CDB) came into force and reinforces the pledge
The Big Biodiversity Challenge Returns to Inspire Young Eco-Champions
The Western Cape Environmental Education Friends (WCEEF), together with members CapeNature, Western Cape Government, SANBI, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), Nature Connect, SANParks, Working on Fire, the City of Cape Town and the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, announces the return of its flagship biodiversity competition for learners in grades 6 – 9.
CapeNature urges public not to unnecessarily remove chameleons following Garden Route storms
Members of the public are urged to assist wildlife responsibly following recent severe weather events in the Garden Route, and to avoid the unnecessary removal of chameleons from their natural habitat. Following severe storms experienced in the region over the last two weeks, many trees have lost branches or fallen entirely. As a result, some small animals have been displaced from their natural habitat.
CapeNature hit by widespread flooding, power outages and infrastructure damage
CapeNature is assessing widespread damage across its Protected Areas following several days of severe weather that have affected multiple reserves and surrounding communities through electricity outages, flooding and disrupted road access across the Western Cape. Successive cold fronts brought heavy rainfall, gale-force winds and localised flooding across the Province, resulting in infrastructure damage, blocked routes and disruption to operations.
Western Cape fire season shows record early intensity and significant increase in fire activity
The 2025–2026 summer fire season began with exceptional intensity for CapeNature – official statistics showed a sharp rise in fire ignitions, high temperatures, and a large expanse of burnt areas across the Western Cape. Historically, the fire season is considered to run from 1 October to 31 March. However, activity began as early as September 2025, well before the traditional high-risk period from November onwards.
Wildfires intensify as climate shifts, CapeNature warns in emergency podcast series
CapeNature has released a special series of its acclaimed Green Noise podcast, offering an urgent and deeply human perspective on South Africa’s recent wildfire season. The series has a particular focus on the devastating fires in the Cederberg Wilderness and changing weather patterns. The fire in the Cederberg Wilderness, which ignited on 22 December 2025 along Uitkyk Pass