MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Local endurance athlete Kane Johnstone is preparing to undertake a 20.5km open-water swim across Mossel Bay as part of Project Deep, a locally driven ocean awareness initiative supporting marine conservation and shark protection efforts in the region.
The initiative is run in partnership with the local non-profit organisation Earth Legacy Foundation, which is using the event to build community awareness and support for the proposed Mossel Bay Shark Catch Exclusion Zone (Scez).
According to a statement by the Earth Legacy Foundation, the Scez is a spatial protection measure aimed at safeguarding one of South Africa’s most important coastal shark habitats.
The event brings together conservation organisations, tourism operators and local businesses to highlight the ecological and economic importance of living sharks to the Mossel Bay coastline.
On-water logistical support will be provided by a local company whose vessel and crew will accompany the swimmer throughout the crossing, and Johnstone will organise a medic to be on board to ensure compliance with open-water safety requirements.
Kane Johnstone. Photo: Supplied/ Earth Legacy Foundation
Project Deep transforms a personal endurance challenge into a shared conservation effort. By drawing public attention to the pressures facing local shark populations and coastal ecosystems, the organisers hope to mobilise community engagement, encourage public participation in conservation initiatives and strengthen support for practical, science-informed policy solutions.
“The ocean has shaped my life physically, mentally and spiritually,” said Johnstone.
“This swim is not about conquering the ocean; it is about respecting it, representing it and helping to protect it.”
Esther Jacobs, project director for Earth Legacy Foundation, said: “Project Deep demonstrates how local partnerships can translate conservation awareness into tangible action. It highlights the value of low-economic-impact, high-ecological-impact solutions that protect sharks while strengthening sustainable tourism, supporting coastal livelihoods and safeguarding the long-term health of Mossel Bay’s marine ecosystems.”
The statement further said this initiative comes at a time when the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment is facing growing public scrutiny following recent decisions to reopen trophy hunting quotas that include some of South Africa’s most threatened species, including the critically endangered rhinoceros.
Conservation stakeholders say community-driven initiatives such as Project Deep highlight the increasing public expectation for conservation policies that prioritise long-term biodiversity protection and science-based decision-making.
Further details regarding the confirmed swim date and community engagement activities will be announced in the coming weeks.
To find out more about the Earth Legacy Foundation and its work, visit www.earthlegacyfoundation.org or visit the Facebook page Earth Legacy Foundation.
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