Wanting to learn to freedive has been a goal of mine for the past 13 years. It started one sunny South African day in False Bay when I snorkeled down and sat on the sand glancing up at the beautiful kelp forest that surrounded me while practicing to hold my breath. At that time there…
Author Archives: Lesley Rochat
22
Dec
Dec
The Year in General: Though we at AfriOceans were fortunate to have one of our most successful years to date, 2011 was a tough year for many as a result of the economic climate, which some are saying is heading similarly to the 1930 Great Depression. It has caused a turmoil of despair and uncertainty…
13
Oct
Oct
Let me begin by saying I am truly sorry that a shark harmed a man recently in my home village, Fish Hoek. I feel for the man, his family, and for the sharks. After reading the facts of the incident I am left with one big question: If someone warned you repeatedly that there was…
07
Sep
Sep
I’m in one of those phases that is all too familiar: too much to do, too little time! We have been setting up our new public office and getting the wheels turning for our exciting AfriOceans Warriors Environmental Education Programme, funded by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund of South Africa. We are hectic with…
10
Aug
Aug
It’s been a very eventful and busy few weeks: since our Lottery grant was finalised we have been up to our eyeballs in setting up offices and getting our exciting AfriOceans Warriors programme off the ground, I have given a talk at the Whale of an Equation Conference held at Muizenberg to 500 strong, plus…
27
Jul
Jul
I am so delighted to announce that we, AfriOceans Conservation Alliance, have been allocated a handsome grant from the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF) for the AfriOceans Warriors Environmental Education Programme, an exciting 3 year environmental education programme that aims to reach 170 000 learners along our coast! God/ the Universe, has been so…
29
Jun
Jun
On Monday a young diver was bitten by a Dusky shark off the south coast of Durban, no doubt exactly where I was diving and took these photos of blacktip sharks two weeks ago. Though I received the press release below, I am still in the dark regarding the exact details of what happened and…
22
Jun
Jun
I might have missed seeing a single sardine this last week past while on a photographic expedition of the thus far illusive sardine run, but not all photographic opportunities were lost when I was privileged to witness another spectacular global event, the Total Lunar Eclipse on the 15th June. A lunar eclipse occurs when the…
24
May
May
A stunning weekend was had by the famous shark scientist, Dr Leonard Compagno, and I when we visited Kleinbaai this past weekend as guests of Wilfred Chivell of Marine Dynamics, an outstanding white shark cage diving business run off a superb vessel, Slashfin. I’ve been threatening to take up Wilfred’s offer for some time and…
19
May
May
Unbeknown to me there are wonderful people helping us make a difference! Recently I received a delightful email with photos from Fazlin Pheiffer informing me that her and some of her classmates from the University of the Western Cape had been helping AfriOceans raise awareness about our work and in particular our shark conservation efforts.