Thandeka Hlongwa, and marine cinematographer, Steve Benjamin, take viewers along the coastline of South Africa, unveiling the vital sanctuaries that serve as havens for sharks and rays – two species that play a vital role in the ecosystem and need to be protected.
In the short film aptly titled SEE US, the two intrepid underwater explorers begin their adventure within the Table Mountain National Park, a revered Marine Protected Area (MPA) nestled in the Western Cape, and end in the warmer waters of Aliwal Shoal MPA in KwaZulu-Natal.
Their goal was to search for as many shark and ray species as they could find, with a focus on locating threatened and endemic species that are only found in South Africa’s Ocean.
“Beyond South Africa’s shores and beneath the waves, lies a series of protected marine reserves, bursting with life,” says Benjamin. “It’s a world unseen to most, but a critical part of our national pride and heritage.”
Hlongwa and Benjamin’s shared passion for the ocean is infectious as they dip below the surface and marvel at all the shark and ray species that cross their path. South Africa is home to approximately 200 different species of sharks and rays; however, sharks and rays are one of the most threatened species on the planet.
The release of this short film is particularly timely, as South Africa recently pledged its full support for a ‘30x30 target’; a global goal aimed at reaching 30% protection of the world’s land and sea by 2030. This ultimately means increased marine protection for threatened species, including sharks and rays.
The urgent need for increased protection for sharks and rays in South Africa’s oceans is underscored by the latest findings from the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) Red List Assessment. The report highlights a stark reality—42% of the shark and ray species present within South Africa’s Ocean are threatened, with the conservation status of these species ranging from Vulnerable to Endangered and Critically Endangered.
Taking the helm of the ON THE BRINK campaign is the WILDOCEANS program (of the WILDTRUST) – the driving force behind the larger "Sanctuary for Sharks & Rays" project. This three-year project is funded by The Rainforest Trust, complemented by co-funding contributions from Oceans 5 and the Shark Conservation Fund, and operates in close collaboration with the South African Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE).
WATCH THE SHORT FILM HERE: https://www.facebook.com/onthebrinksa/videos/1272911076744274/
