The Mossel Bay Tourism Legacy Marine Signage Project will see information signboards erected at each of seven different conservancies along the coast between the Gourits River and Great Brak River mouths.
The project was piloted for Pinnacle Conservation by Kay Prinsloo and Kelly-Jane Peo - both of whom work at the PetroSA Nature Reserve at the company's Mossel Bay Refinery. It was funded by the Mossel Bay Environmental Partnership (MEP).
"It turned out to be a bigger project than we had planned, because we discovered that most children in Mossel Bay - and many adults, too - had no idea that the whales visit the Bay. We also found that many of them didn't even have a concept of what whales are, or how big they are," said Ms Prinsloo.
The pair therefore decided to include an outreach programme into the project.
"We visited almost a thousand children at primary schools in the area, and used both technology and quizzes to stimulate their interest: we showed them a PowerPoint presentation and videos, and also had them line up next to a tape measure so that they'd get a perspective of the size of a southern right whale.
"We made rubber stamps and stamped the kids' wrists - which they really enjoyed; we distributed gifts of whale bracelets and whale key rings; and we ran a colouring-in competition, with lucky draw prizes of free boat-based whale watching safaris with Romonza, who sponsored the tickets."
Ms Prinsloo said that Pinnacle Conservation is currently seeking planning permission from the Mossel Bay Municipality for the erection of the signboards.
"We're hoping to place one each in the Fransmanshoek-, Dana Bay, St Blaize, Mossel Bay, Hartenbos, Mid-Brak, and Great Brak Conservancies," she said.
"We've also printed a brochure which will be distributed via Mossel Bay Tourism, and through other channels."
Mossel Bay Tourism's Marcia Holm congratulated Pinnacle Conservation on the project, and thanked its sponsors and supporters.
"We completely support the principle of responsible travel, which is defined as 'creating better places to live in, and better places to visit.' This places the onus on both consumers and suppliers of the tourism experience: our visitors on the one hand, and the people of Mossel Bay - the host community - on the other.
"For tourism to work at its best - and to provide the greatest benefits for everybody - the members of the host community have to understand the things that are unique about their hometown, and why those things attract visitors.
"These are some of the reasons why Pinnacle Conservation's project falls perfectly in line with the idea of responsible travel," she said.
Ms Prinsloo said the outreach side of the project has come to an end for this year. "But whales are my passion, so I hope we can pick it up again next year."
The children of All Saints Primary School in Extension 6, Mossel Bay lined up against a tape measure to get an idea of the size of a southern right whale.
ARTICLE: MARTIN HATCHUEL
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