EnviroKids 38 Marine & Blue Flag Summer 2017

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Vol. 38(4), Summer 2017 WESSA’s quarterly magazine for young eco-champions

secrets of the deep how tech is helping marine scientists

extrA books, games & puzzles for the holidays!

school’s out!

summer’s In!

DIscover sA’s Blue FlAg BeAches

weird & wonderful 1 seashore creatures 0

EnviroKids Vol. 38(3), Spring 2017 3 Inspect your local beach! checklIst

ISSN 1995-6703 Reg. No. 05/04658/08 Official quarterly publication of WESSA (incorporated association, not for gain). Registered NPO 000-716

SUBSCRIBE Email envirokids@wessa.co.za or contact 073 963 4663 ADVERTISE/SPONSOR Email envirokids@wessa.co.za or contact 073 963 4663 WESSA MEMBERSHIP Visit www.wessa.co.za, email wessamembers@wessa.co.za or contact 031 201 3126

WESSA’s quarterly magazine for young eco-champions CONTENTS Regulars 1 Editor’s letter 2 Enviro-news 10 Cool school 14 I love my job! Q&A with three ocean fanatics 18 Entertainment corner 23 Subscribe to EnviroKids Special features 4 Flying the Blue Flag 6 Map: Blue Flag sites in South Africa (2017/18) 8 Clean water… healthy swimming 9 Meet a beach steward! 11 Deep secrets 16 Weird and wonderful seashore creatures 26 Checklist: Inspect your beach Games, puzzles & art

Editor: Renata Harper envirokids@wessa.co.za 073 963 4663 Editing Assistance: Alison Budge

Scientific Advisor: Judy Mann-Lang Design: Alison Dingle Printed by: BusinessPrint

With thanks to Robyn Granger, Vince Shacks, Rob Slater, Mandy Noffke, Marie Abraham, Michelle Botha, Lance Anders, Sandy Crake, Catherine Ritchie, Marlene Marais, Jenny Duvenage,

Joelle Hoareau, Margaret Burger and Mervyn Brouard for additional support.

20 Let’s do this! 22 Over to you... 24 Match the shark to its shadow 24 Hungry shark maze 24 Ocean animals crossword

Publisher: WESSA, P.O. Box 394, Howick, 3290 www.wessa.org.za With thanks to our sponsors

25 Colour by number 25 Find 10 differences Win, win, win! 23 How to enter our competitions 24 Puzzles (win any book reviewed on page 18) 26 Checklist: Inspect your beach (win a free subscription to EnviroKids)

Cover photo © Monkey Business Images Ltd/Dreamstime Additional artwork © Depositphotos (unless stated otherwise)

The views expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect those of WESSA. Copyright on all content belongs to WESSA and the individual contributors. No part may be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the publisher. Photocopies may be made for non-profit educational purposes provided the source of the material is clearly acknowledged. EnviroKids is printed on paper created exclusively from chemical rather than mechanical pulp, making it less susceptible to yellowing. The paper contains FSC, CoC and PEFC certified wood products from sustainable forests. Inks used are non-toxic, biodegradable, and made from plant oils and resins.

GET IN TOUCH! Contact us via snail mail at EnviroKids, P.O. Box 30145, Tokai, 7966 or email envirokids@wessa.co.za.

EDITOR’S LETTER

Dear Enviro Kids Meet Inspector Blue Flag! He’ll be showing you around this magazine and telling you all about the famous µblue flag¶ flying along our lovely coastline. u :hat is this blue flag" :hat does it mean, and why does it matter" see page u &heck out our special map to find your nearest %lue )lag beach, marina or eco tourism boat page 6 . u Meet some beach stewards and hear why they think you should visit their beach page . u Score a beach using our checklist of fun to find signs of a healthy beach see the back cover . Also take a look at page 11 to learn about some of the beautiful

I bumped into beach steward Shantel Jacobs on Muizenberg Beach my nearest %lue )lag beach . She told me: “When I sit by these beach huts and watch the waves, I feel at peace.”

Photo: Alison Dingle

marine habitats and creatures that have been discovered thanks to new technologies like the ski monkey what a great name . 0aybe you¶ll feel so inspired that you¶ll work in the marine field one day, like the lifeguard, skipper and environmental educator we¶ve interviewed on page 1 .

The Honourable Minister of Tourism Ms.Tokozile Xasa and WESSA CEO Dr Thommie Burger have some fun at the launch of the 2017/2018 Blue Flag season. This big party was hosted by Kouga Municipality at Dolphin Beach in Jeffreys Bay. Dolphin Beach has been a Blue Flag beach for 16 years in a row. It¶s also where you¶ll find some of the best surfing waves in the world

EnviroKids Vol. 38(4), Summer 2017 1

ENVIRO-NEWS An inconvenient sequel

In 2006, politician and environmental activist Al Gore produced the documentary An Inconvenient Truth , where he looked at the realities of climate change. Now, 11 years later, he has just released An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power , which follows his work helping people to adapt to climate change and influencing international environmental laws. These films are informative, controversial, and sure to bring about some interesting debates.

Iceberg ahoy! In July 2017, one of the largest icebergs in recorded his- tory (5 800 square kilometres!) broke off from Antarctica’s mainland. The iceberg was part of the Larsen C ice shelf, which has existed for over 10 000 years. Cracks had been showing and getting bigger quickly for months. Scientists are calling this a “natural experiment”, as they are going to keep watching the iceberg and study what happens. It may ground itself, break into smaller pieces, or float in Southern Ocean currents for several years before melting.

A pod(cast) of dolphins Podcasts can be a great way to learn new things and explore topics you’re interested in. For example, do you remember our article on the vaquita in the last issue of EnviroKids? Well, “Eyes on Conservation”, a podcast series by video production company Wild Lens, recently hosted several talks about the vaquita.

The weekly show already has more than 100 episodes on different environmental issues. To subscribe (it’s free!) to the “Eyes on Conservation” podcast, search for it on podcast apps like iTunes or SoundCloud, or visit the Wild Lens website. Psst! Listen to episode 126 and find out why a South African

safari guide cycled across America pulling a rhino statue behind him!

2 EnviroKids Vol. 38(4), Summer 2017

Tuesday 5 December World Soil Day marks the importance of soil as a critical component of our ecosystems, and as a vital contributor to human health. Monday 11 December International Mountain Day this year highlights the traditional heritage, culture and spirituality of people who live and work in Earth’s mountain habitats. SPECIAL ENVIRONMENTAL DAYS (December 2017 – February 2018)

Mountain living in Peru

New dino discovery After being buried under the ocean during the Cretaceous period, a species of dinosaur is finally seeing the light of day. The discovery of the nodosaur fossil in an oil sands mine in western Canada is extremely special – this is one of the best-preserved specimens scientists have ever discovered, complete with scales, skin and flesh The new species has been named Borealopelta markmitchelli , after technician Mark Mitchell, who spent approximately 7 000 hours over five and a half years chipping away at the rock to extract the dinosaur within. The fossil is now on display at the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Canada. podcast: an audio show, usually of a number of episodes, which can be downloaded from the internet and played on a computer, cell phone, tablet or mp3 player WOrDS tO IMPreSS yOur teacher activist: somebody who publically speaks out in support of or against a cause close to their heart cretaceous period: a geological era from about 145 to 66 million years ago nodosaurs: a family of armoured, plant-eating dinosaurs that lived during the Cretaceous period primatologist: a scientist who studies primates; for example, lemurs, monkeys and apes

Tuesday 16 January Dian Fossey’s birthday – though it¶s not an official environmental day, spend time today investigating what this amazing conservationist and primatologist achieved. Here’s a clue: her famous book is called Gorillas in the Mist .

Thursday 18 January Winnie the Pooh Day – celebrated on the birthday of his creator, author A.A. Milne, it’s one of the cuddliest days around! Friday 2 February World Wetlands Day observes the value and importance of wetlands. Follow updates on Twitter at #WetlandsForOurFuture. Look out for some wetlands-themed competitions!

Tuesday 27 February International

Polar Bear Day raises awareness

about the conservation status of the polar bear. They are classified as “Vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

EnviroKids Vol. 38(4), Summer 2017 3

Words Robyn Granger

BLUE FLAG Flying the

This world-famous eco-label is being raised all along South Africa’s coastline and we decided to learn more about it…

Blue Flag is an international award that is given each year to beaches, eco-tourism boats and marinas (or small harbours) that are well run and care for their natural environment. If this blue flag is flying, then you know that the beach, boat or marina meets the highest standards of safety, cleanliness, water Tuality and environmental education – it has attended all its classes, done its homework, and aced its exams!

Blue Flag timeline The Blue Flag programme has been running internationally for 30 years. 1985: French coastal municipalities are awarded a ³blue flag´ if they pass tests for good sewage treatment and Tuality swimming water. 1987: Programme is adopted across Europe.

“Clean water, healthy coasts, safety, and access for all”

2001: Programme is opened to non-European countries. South Africa joins! DiD you know? South Africa has almost

Blue Flag in South Africa The programme is managed internationally by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). In each member country, a local organisation is chosen to run the programme ‘on the ground¶. In South Africa, the %lue Flag programme is run by WESSA in partnership with coastal municipalities .

60 full Blue Flag sites (see our map on page 6 , as well as more than 20 pilot sites – this means they are preparing for their Blue Flag status.

Photos supplied. Hermit crab artwork: Jacci Rudling

4 EnviroKids Vol. 38(4), Summer 2017

Signs like this one at Muizenberg Beach in )alse %ay, help you to find your way around, understand the rules of beach use, and check the seawater quality.

What does it take to get Blue Flag status?

South Africa’s Blue Flag eco-tourism boats offer exciting activities like whale- and dolphin- watching as well as shark cage diving. These companies need to be environmentally sustainable, operate safely, and respect the marine animals around them. Blue Flag marinas need to have visibly clean water, recycling bins and clear safety precautions. They should also get rid of hazardous wastes responsibly. The internationally recognised Blue Flag is good for tourism, as visitors to our beautiful coastline know they can expect clean, safe and eco- friendly beaches, boats and marinas.

Blue Flag beaches need to pass 4 main ‘tests’: 1 Environmental education and informa- tion : Is there info about the beach and how to use it? Do beach managers run environmental education activities? 2 Excellent water quality : Is the water clean for healthy swimming? (See how this water is tested on page 8.) 3 Environmental management: Does the beach operate in a way that respects the natural environment? 4 Safety and services: Does the beach have clean, working toilets, lifeguards on duty, and a nearby security guard?

1. About 45 countries have Blue Flag sites today. 2. There are just over 4 400 Blue Flag beaches, boats and marinas in the world. 3. Spain has had the most Blue Flag sites every year since it joined the programme! 4. South Africa was the first country outside of Europe to get Blue Flag status for its beaches. Grotto and +umewood were the first 5. South Africa and Morocco are the only countries on the African continent with Blue Flag sites. 6. South Africa is in the top 15 of total number of Blue Flag sites. Fast facts*

humEWood BEach, P.E, algoa Bay Enjoy sightings of amazing marine life, including dolphins, gannets, penguins and sea- sonal southern right whales, at this spectacular spot in the “Friendly City”.

Grotto BEach, hermanus, Walker Bay This typical Southern Cape sandy beach is popular with locals and holidaymakers, and is perfect for long beach walks.

* Correct at time of going to press

EnviroKids Vol. 38(4), Summer 2017 5

Words Renata Harper

2017/18

KEY

BLUE FLAG

Blue Flag Beaches Blue Flag Marinas Blue Flag Eco-tourism Boating Operators

Find your nearest Blue Flag beach, marina or eco-tourism boat.

Western Cape

Mnandi Beach in False Bay offers a playground, waterslides and picnic site, as well as scenic views of 40 000-year-old limestone cliffs.

Clifton 4th Melkbosstrand Silwerstroomstrand Camps Bay Llandudno

1 2 3 4 5 6

Strandfontein Muizenberg Fish Hoek

Mnandi Bikini

10 11 9 12 13 14 16 15 17 18 19 20 23 24 25 26 27 28 22 21

Kleinmond Hawston Grotto Struisbaai Witsand Preekstoel Lappiesbaai

Olifan Preekstoel Beach in Stilbaai is named for the unusual pulpit-shaped rock formation found in the bay. This beach is part of the Stilbaai Marine Protected Area.

Hartenbos Beach in Mossel Bay is all about summer fun! Enjoy its annual music concert and nearby amusement park, waterslides, mini-golf course and surf schools.

Robberg 5 Hartenbos Klein Brak Buffalo Bay Brenton-on-Sea De Bakke Lookout The Dunes Singing Kettle Keurboomstrand Nature’s Valley

ve Ri r

Plettenberg Bay

Cape Town

3 4 5

Mossel Bay

Yachtport SA The Water Club False Bay Yacht Club Harbour Island

23 24

3 6 10 4

2 3 4

Hermanus

5 25 26 7 6

16 17

Gansbaai

7 8 1213 1 2 3 4 5

14 Cape Agulhas

Great White Shark Tours White Shark Ventures (pty) Ltd Thesen Harbour Town Thesen Islands Home Owners Southern Right Charters Marine Dynamics Dyer Island Cruises

5 2 3 4 6 7

Brenton-on-Sea Beach on the Garden Route is perfect for a relaxed walk or for exploring rock pools. If you’re lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of the endangered Brenton blue butterfly.

Information correct at time of going to press Map not drawn to scale Reflects beaches with full Blue Flag status only

Ocean Odyssey Offshore Adventures

6 EnviroKids Vol. 38(4), Summer 2017

SITES IN

SOUTH AFRICA

uMfolozi River

l R a

v e r

uShaka Beach in Durban is a family-friendly spot that’s also perfect for begin- ner surfers. Be sure to visit the nearby uShaka Marine World, which has the largest aquarium in Africa!

Surrounded by wild dune vegetation, Umzumbe Beach is an undisturbed piece of paradise with spotless sands and a beautiful tidal pool.

M u n g e n i R i v e r

uMkhoma

Durban

Riv

41 er

M a vu

t m na

uMbashe Ri er

Keiskamma River

Eastern Cape

Dolphin

29 30 31 35 32 33 34 36 37 38 39 40 41 44 42 43 7

Humewood Kings Hobie

B kens Ri er aa v

Port Elizabeth

33 34

Hamburg St Francis Bay Canals Kariega Kelly’s

Situated on the Keiskamma Estuary, Hamburg Beach is a great location for family holidays, with canoeing, windsurfing, swimming and hiking, as well as bird-watching in the nearby Hamburg Nature Reserve.

KwaZulu-Natal

Trafalgar Marina Ramsgate Lucien Southport Umzumbe Hibberdeen uShaka Westbrook

Nature’s Valley Beach on the Garden Route is as beautiful at night as it is during the day – enjoy its amazing stargazing! It’s also the last stop on the famous Otter Trail hike.

EnviroKids Vol. 38(4), Summer 2017 7

Compiled by Robyn Granger & Renata Harper, Map Anne Westoby

Clean water... healthy swimming Blue Flag beachesmust have clean seawater that is not a health risk to swimmers. If the water becomes polluted, the blue flag is taken down and the beach is closed for swimming until the water is clean again. Beach managers must have the sea- water tested regularly by an independent laboratory, and display the results on a noticeboard.

TESTING FOR SEAWATER QUALITY

1 Collecting water samples A water-laboratory technician collects samples from the surface of the sea and at a depth of about 30 centimetres in the swimming zone.

2 Testing at the laboratory The water is tested for industrial

4 Informing beach visitors You can check the water’s health by looking at the Water Quality Standards on the information boards at Blue Flag beaches. means water samples have passed the water quality test means water is unhealthy for swimming

pollution and two kinds of harmful

bacteria. The bacteria come from human faeces (poo) in sewage water that was released into rivers or directly into the ocean. The harmful bacteria can cause stomach sicknesses and infectious diseases.

3 Reporting

the results Each month, the water results are sent to the Blue Flag operator, who checks that the water quality meets the World Health Organisation’s standards. If the bacterial count is found to be dangerously high, or harmful chemicals are detected, the blue flag is lowered and the beach is closed for swimming until the water is clean again.

beach this summer Visit a Blue Flag

and enjoy safe and

healthy swimming!

Photo © Anafoto/Dreamstime

8 EnviroKids Vol. 38(4), Summer 2017

Words Roberta Griffiths, Art Jacci Rudling

Meet a beach steward! The 1ational 'epartment of Tourism and :(SSA run a special Mob creation proMect alongside %lue )lag, called Tourism %lue )lag T%) .

&ome and say ³hello´ The Tourism %lue )lag beach stewards would love to meet you. Their Mob is to look after the beach, answer your Tuestions, and share why the ocean is special and should be protected. :e bumped into a few beach stewards and asked them why we should visit their beach this summer.

Aphiwe Zotwa “Fish Hoek Beach is a safe environment with a playground right

rest, but you can also do plenty of activities and events. .elly¶s is safe for people of all ages.´ #TBF4Kellys Shanice Booysen “Kings Beach is all about fun in the sun and in a safe environment. :e also have a gym for fitness fanatics, fun park for kids, lake for spotting fish and racing miniature boats, and a waterfall that offers perfect photo opportunities.´ #TBF4Kings Super stats* u The Tourism Blue Flag project has almost 200 beach stewards on about 50 Blue Flag beaches (including pilot sites). u All the stewards are young people under 35. u About 66% of stewards are women. * Correct at time of going to press

to enjoy nature, play lots of fun games and learn more about

on the beach! In summer you can grab an ice cream while watching all the

the coastal environment.´ #TBF4Dokodweni Zama Gumede

fishing activities.´ #TBF4FishHoek Nkosinathi Magadla “Seaforth Beach in the Western Cape offers safe swimming for little ones and fascinating marine life at low tide. It¶s perfect for penguin viewing, kayaking, fishing and picnicking.

“Salt Rock Beach in KZN is a wonderful getaway for kids this summer. We have great

weather and a swimming pool just for

kids, and lifeguards are always on duty.´ #TBF4SaltRock Bangile Mwezeni

At the restaurant on the rocks you can enjoy a scrumptious meal with a view.´

“Magnificent .elly¶s %each attracts both tourists and locals. It is a place of relaxation and

#TBF4Seaforth Nkululeko Zikhali “Dokodweni Beach in KZN is perfect for keeping kids busy during the holidays and off the streets. Come

Photos supplied

Tourism Department: REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA tourism

EnviroKids Vol. 38(4), Summer 2017 9

Compiled by Renata Harper with Lance Anders, Sakhile Sithole & Lizeka Gqumani (WESSA Tourism Blue Flag Coordinators)

ADVERTORIAL

To find out how your school could Moin the WESSA Eco-Schools programme, visit www.wessa.org.za or email delana@wessa.co.za .

COOL SCHOOL

Bonamelo Primary School in Doornkop, Soweto, realised they were wasting water every time their learners washed their hands or drank water with the taps running at full flow In these times of water restrictions, the school wanted to know exactly how much water was being wasted and what they could do to start saving this precious resource.

The grade 2 class at Bonamelo decided to implement two projects to control water wastage, while keeping a record of their daily water use.

Water- wise drinking 1

Learners are now drinking water from 10-litre containers to stop the water wastage that comes from drink- ing straight from the tap. And, because learners don’t have to go outside to drink any more, they don’t have to leave the classroom and won’t miss out on schoolwork!

Bonamelo Primary School is proud to have been part of the WESSA Eco-Schools Programme since 2016.

Tippy taps Learners changed to washing their hands using the tippy tap system and have placed a basin underneath the tap to collect the grey water. A water audit poster next to the tippy tap is used to record how much grey water is collected – a great way to make everyone aware of the project. 2

THE RESULTS

Both of the projects have been successful in saving water and the school can see exactly how much water is saved every day from the data collected. Before, learners used about 50 litres of water a day just to wash their hands! Today they use about 50 litres of water a week! The young learners also help to record the water saved, which is a practical and fun way of improving their maths skills. Bonamelo’s plan is to introduce these projects to the other grades in 2018... just imagine how much more water the school will save then! + = saved water

WESSA Eco-Schools, DWS and 50 schools across South Africa are working together on meaningful water action projects. Each school strives to become a water-wise institution that responds to the water challenges and risks its community faces.

Photos supplied

10 EnviroKids Vol. 38(4), Summer 2017

Words Zanele Khumalo & Lomelelo Lukhubeni (WESSA Eco-Schools Coordinators in Gauteng)

Let’s take a closer look at how technology is helping marine scientists to explore our oceans, and what they’ve found down there. Did you know that 70% of the earth’s surface is covered by ocean? The huge area, and depths of up to 12 kilometres, make the sea difficult to e[plore. Scientists have to use special equipment to study the seabed, including sonar systems , which use sound to map the sea floor, and camera and light systems in special waterproof covers . DEEP SECRETS

TECH #1 Meet the ROV! South Africa’s Department of Science and Technology bought a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) for the African Coelacanth (cosystem 3rogramme. 9ideos and photo graphs taken by the ROV are analysed by scientists who identify and count the animals they see, and describe different habitat types. They use this information to make habitat maps, give advice on how best to manage marine species and ecosystems, and identify areas that are important to protect.

habitat maps show us different types of ecosystems in the ocean. ([amples of habitats on land include forests, grasslands and fynbos. In the sea, habitat type depends on the type of seabed (rock, sand, mud or gravel), depth, and ocean characteristics (temperature, currents, o[ygen levels and more . +abitat type determines what plants and animals live in an area. 2cean habitats include reefs, canyons, the sandy plains of the abyss, and undersea mountains known as seamounts. Bonus fact: some animals, like corals and sponges, provide homes or habitats for other animals!

guess what? So far, less than 5% of the ocean floor has been studied in any detail. This means there are still plenty of e[citing discoveries for you to make! Sea fans and sponges on an Amanzimtoti deep reef, photographed by ROV at a depth of 6 metres. © ACEP Spatial Solutions Project

A ROV is like an underwater drone: it has a camera, bright lights, and propellers which are controlled remotely by a pilot on a boat. Scientists on board the boat can see what the ROV’s cameras are capturing on T9 screens. © ACEP

EnviroKids Vol. 38(4), Summer 2017 11

Words Kerry Sink & Ryan Palmer

TECH #2 Using sound to map the sea Unlike light, sound travels very well through water. Beams of sound from echo sounders and other instruments are used to measure water depth and map large areas of the seabed. By knowing the speed of sound in water (about 1.5 kilometres per second) and the time it takes to receive the echo, a computer is able to calculate the depth where each sound beam was aimed. The computer then uses this information to draw a three-dimensional map of the sea floor 'epending on the strength of the echo, scientists can also tell whether the seabed is hard (rock) or soft (sand or mud).

Trawling can damage seabed habitats. Coral is slow growing and may take hundreds of years to recover after being broken. These damaged corals were photographed on a P.E. ridge discovered with an echo sounder. © ACEP Deep Secrets Project

TECH #3 Underwater ski-monkey The ski-monkey is a towed camera system similar to the ROV, but it does not have propellers and its movement can’t be controlled remotely. It is simply lowered from a ship on a long cable and towed along the bottom, where it takes videos and photos. Towed cameras like the ski-monkey have allowed us to explore up to depths of 700 metres, far deeper than the ROV. The ski-monkey can cover large distances, but can get snagged on rocks and works best on flat sandy areas. It is being used to study the effect of trawling in South Africa.

Great words to know! abyss: the flat part of the ocean floor deeper than 3 500 metres cable laying: cables are laid on the seabed to carry telecommunications signals and electricity between places on land echo sounder: a scientific instrument used to calculate ocean depth, or how far below the water surface an object is trawling: a fishing method

Scientists from the South African Environmental Observation Network prepare a ski-money to examine how the seabed is recovering in an area that is now closed to trawling. © ACEP Deep Secrets Project

where large nets are dragged along the seabed or through the water to catch fish

'eep water coral habitat photographed by a ski-monkey. © ACEP Deep Secrets Project

12 EnviroKids Vol. 38(4), Summer 2017

The coelacanth is a very special fish that has lived in our oceans since before the time of dinosaurs. Scientists thought that these fish were e[tinct until one was caught off (ast London in 1 . In 2 , the discovery of a population of coelacanths off Sodwana %ay sparked a new research What else might we discover in our oceans?

programme, the African &oelacanth (cosystem 3rogramme A&(3 . Today A&(3 scientists use lots of cool eTuipment to study deeper parts of the ocean.

These beautiful and fragile lace corals were photographed by 529. Such coral gardens are sensitive habitats that need protection from cable laying, mining, trawling and other ocean industries. © ACEP Imida Project

)ish eggs note their eyes in the arms of a soft coral. &orals provide shelter for baby fish. © ACEP Deep Secrets Project

This Tuirky looking pink frogmouth was seen in its natural habitat for the first time during 529 surveys in 2 16. © ACEP Spatial Solutions Project

This spider crab, photographed by 529 at a depth of 2 metres, lives on muddy slopes on South Africa¶s east coast. © ACEP Spatial Solutions Project

Kerry Sink is a marine scientist at the South African 1ational %iodiversity Institute SA1%I . Ryan Palmer is a 529 pilot for the African &oelacanth (cosystem 3rogramme A&(3 .

EnviroKids Vol. 38(4), Summer 2017 13

Words Kerry Sink & Ryan Palmer

I love my job!

Q&A with three ocean fanatics...

Dickie Chivell Dickie has turned his passion for the ocean into an exciting and meaningful career as a skipper, scuba diver and marine conservationist. What does a skipper do? I captain boats for shark, whale

watching and eco tours. I also work for the Dyer Island Conservation Trust, where I help with research projects, like tagging great white sharks.

How did you become a skipper? I completed two different boat skipper licences, got practical experience working as a deckhand, and did courses in firefighting, first aid and radio protocol. I¶ve done lots of scuba diving courses, a whale disentanglement course, and I’m a video editor. You need to be at least 16 to become a skipper, but you can start on some of the other courses at an earlier age.

Main photo: © Chris Fallows, Other (2): © Dickie Chivell

We heard that you once pretended to be a shark… Yes, this was an experiment with the Discovery Channel crew, for Shark Week a few years ago, and it was really exciting! We wanted to see how sharks would react to a life-sized shark cut-out. It was done in a very controlled environment with shark experts, so don’t try this at home!

“I love the adventure of exploring the sea, and how I can make people happy by showing them our country’s awesome marine life.”

Search ‘Great White Shark with Dickie Chivell’ on YouTube for

some footage of Dickie at Shark Alley off Gansbaai.

Mzikayise Jacobs Mzikayise works on beaches around Cape Town as a senior lifeguard for the City of Cape Town. His quick thinking and heroic actions have saved many lives. Your work is so very important. Rescuing people from drowning is top priority, but what other situations have you faced? I’ve been working as a lifeguard since 1999. In those 18 years, we’ve had some unusual incidents like people falling from rocks or needing help with sunburn. How can I become a lifeguard? Anyone over 16 can become a lifeguard! There are 16 clubs around Cape Town alone, where you can learn about rescue techniTues, first aid and important

14 EnviroKids Vol. 38(4), Summer 2017

Dudu Vilane $ senior education of¿cer at :(66$ 7reasure %each (nYironmental (ducation &entre in 'urban, 'udu teaches people about the importance of the ocean¶s ecos\stems :hat attracted \ou to this Mob" 0y very first visit to an aTuarium did it. This is one of my earliest memories and I saw so many fish that I didn¶t know e[isted :hat skills does \our Mob reTuire"

³3assion combined with knowledge can take you far in life.´

kids Yisiting the centre" That we are all part of the environment in which we live. It is important that each of us helps conserve it. &heck out :(SSA Treasure %each ((&¶s activities at www facebook com treasurebeachcentre .

Photos supplied

hand signals.

'I' <28 .12:" Some life saving clubs offer surf and pool safety courses for children, in a programme called 1ippers. If you are between and 1 years old, you can become a 1ipper and train to be one of the lifeguards of tomorrow. To find a club near you that offers 1ippers courses, go to www lifesaYing co ]a nippers .

Photos supplied

EnviroKids Vol. 38(4), Summer 2017 15

Compiled by Robyn Granger

W e i r d a n d w o n d e The South African coastline is one of the most beautiful in the world, with loads of sea life. This can turn every beach trip into a great exploration! Identify these seashore critters by matching each description to the correct photo. (Find the answers on page 23.) 1 Bluebottle

seashore creatures

6 Kelp gull The kelp gull is a well-known scavenger, feeding on anything and everything it can find. This is a large gull and your first clue to identifying it is the red spot on its beak. Hear the call of the kelp gull, or any other bird you’re curious about, at No, not your muscles, these mussels! If you’ve seen a wild mussel, you’ll have noticed its ‘beard’ – these special threads help the mussel attach itself to surfaces like rocks. 0ussels filter seawater for food. 8 Starfish Starfish come in an ama]ing array of colours 0ost starfish have five arms and some species can shed a limb, allowing them to escape a predator. What is even more ama]ing, is that the limb can often grow back over time. 9 Sea anemone The anemone has stinging tentacles that it uses to catch and paralyse its prey. Only a few species are not affected ± like clownfish remember 1emo, our hero in the Finding Nemo movie" . 10 Sea urchin These spiny creatures are sometimes called ‘sea hedgehogs’. The sea urchin’s body is protected by a shell that is covered in hundreds of sharp spines. These are for defence so be careful if you touch them. The sea urchin pumps water in and out its tubed feet to help it to move, usually quite slowly. Look out for the washed-up shells of dead urchins, or ‘sea pumpkins’. www.xeno-canto.org . 7 Mussels

Watch out for washed-up bluebottles on the beach, as the stinging cells in their tentacles can still hurt you! The bluebottle is actually a few creatures living together, and they can’t survive without each other. The float the part filled with air is used as a sail for getting around. 2 Plough snail At low tide on the beach, you may spot hundreds of these little snails. The plough snail uses its large ‘foot’ to surf up onto the beach. There it can smell food, like Seaweed can often be washed up onto the shore after a big storm. There are thousands of different kinds of seaweed, including kelp, which feels rubbery and can grow very quickly and even form underwater ‘kelp forests’. Seaweeds are an essential food for many types of marine life. 4 African black oystercatcher You’ll know this bird right away because it has a black body with bright red legs, beak and eye rings. It can be found running along the beach near its nest or along the rocks looking for food like limpets, mussels and worms. 5 Barnacles Barnacles look like decorative shells stuck to the rocks. They live where the waves break so they have to hold on to the rock very tightly. They feed by waving their legs in the water to catch tiny bits of food floating past. washed up Mellyfish. 3 Seaweed

16 EnviroKids Vol. 38(4), Summer 2017

© Luther Adams/SANBI: barnacles; © Charles Griffiths: African black oystercatcher, bluebottle, mussels, plough snail, seaweed, sea urchin, sea urchin shell; © Kerry Sink/SANBI: sea anemone, starfish; © Pratheesh/Pixabay: kelp gull

EnviroKids Vol. 38(4), Summer 2017 17

Words Nadine Clarke (author of Get Bushwise: On Safari )

ENTERTAINMENT CORNER (the movie) Paddington 2

DiD you know? In the 3addington

The film that made the most money in %ritain in 2 1 was

Paddington , about the totally lovable bear who wears red :ellington boots and eats marmalade ± lots of it %ecause the first film was such

stories, author 0ichael %ond originally wrote that our favourite bear had come to London from Africa, until his agent told him that there weren¶t any bears in Africa They chose 3eru in South America instead, as it is the home of the spectacled bear. This dark furred bear has a lighter patch over its face and bib, which makes the dark patches around its eyes look like reading glasses

a success, they¶re making a seTuel. This time 3addington is on the trail of a book thief. &atch the movie on the big screen this summer

Where in the world? My First Animal Atlas Lapa 3ublishers is filled with fun facts about more than 2 animals from all over the world. :hile each continent is represented, author :endy 0aartens and illustrator Alistair Ackermann chose to focus on South Africa, dedicating more than half the book to e[ploring our country¶s wildlife. :e love that they included a section on how you and your family can make a difference to animal conservation, as well as the pages showing the flags of the world. :e challenge you to try and learn them all

How well do you know your dog? +ave you ever wondered how a dog sees and smells the world" :ell, scientist and author Ale[andra +orowit] did, and she¶s written a book about her findings Inside of a Dog: Young Readers Edition Simon Schuster reveals the mysteries of doggy behaviour, describing the author¶s own Tuest to understand her dog 3umpernickel¶s point of view.

STUDY TIP: Written for ages 8 and up, this book includes a reading guide for group discussions.

18 EnviroKids Vol. 38(4), Summer 2017

What to see at the seashore Seashore &reative 1ature is filled with creative poetry and beautiful pictures for you to colour in. It also reveals the secrets of the sea... :here does the brush tipped octopus live" :hen is the best time of day to spot an otter" And why would a penguin be wearing a ring" This activity book is a great way to learn about South Africa¶s ocean ecosystems while having fun at the same time www.creativenature.org.za

Enter any competition in this issue of the magazine and you could win one of the books featured here!

Knock knock… 'o you know anyone between and 6 years old who loves a good bedtime story" :ell, the beautifully illustrated The Elders at the Door -acana 0edia will be perfect for them This short story teaches us about the importance of wisdom, blessings and love. In true South African style, these Tualities arrive in the form of an owl, donkey and hippopotamus.

“Calling all budding marine conservationists… this one is for you!”

Shark alert! Sharks often get bad press, but Nicole: The True Story of a Great White Shark’s Journey into History Struik 1ature shows us how special these animals really are. The book is packed full of facts, photos, newspaper articles and maps about 1icole, a great white that swam from South Africa to Australia ± that¶s 22 kilometres ± in Must nine months A must read for anyone who loves a good adventure story. :e loved the chapters written from 1icole¶s point of view.

“

Nicole was named after Nicole Kidman, who loves sharks

EnviroKids Vol. 38(4), Summer 2017 19

Words Robyn Granger & Anna Rich

“

Let’s do this! The theme is marine... whether you’re making a crafty craft, playing our ocean-inspired games, or learning about microbeads!

What you need w spiky bouncy ball w white & coloured paints w black cardboard w white paper w wax paper w black koki pen w glue w scissors What to do 1 Dip bouncy ball in white paint and ‘stamp’ it onto black cardboard. 2 Paint outward strokes round the edges – the pufferfish¶s spines spikes Add splotches of colour to pufferfish body. 3 Draw and cut out eyes and mouth on white paper. Use koki to draw pupils and inside of mouth. 4 &ut two fins out of wa[ paper. 5 *lue all the pieces on.

Say no to microbeads!

CODE NAMES FOR MICROBEADS

Take 15 minutes to go through your personal care products at home and search for the five ingredients above. Then answer these Tuestions with your family: 32L<(T+

20 EnviroKids Vol. 38(4), Summer 2017

Ocean games

Hang marshmallow fish on threads and try to eat them without using your hands. Catch a fish

Shark hide-and-seek While the little fish hide, the big shark hunts for his dinner!

Pin the fin on the shark Try this sharkey version of ‘pin the tail on the donkey’.

Shark tag

The person chasing wears the fin!

What are microbeads? microbeads are tiny bits of plastic. they are often used in makeup and personal care products like soaps, toothpastes, shower gels and facial scrubs because the small, hard pieces are good at rubbing off dead skin and dirt. Unfortunately, most of the beads end up in our water systems and oceans, where they can easily absorb pollutants and may be gobbled up by zooplankton, fish and other marine life.

De Beers Marine has been sponsoring marine-

themed pages in EnviroKids for a decade! Their sponsorship also supports the delivery of hundreds of magazines to educational programmes and under-resourced schools around South Africa.

EnviroKids Vol. 38(4), Summer 2017 21

Compiled by Alison Dingle, Renata Harper & Wendy Patersen

OVER TO YOU...

We love to receive your letters, poems, stories, photos and artwork! Send your entries to EnviroKids, P.O. Box 30145, Tokai, 7966 or envirokids@wessa.co.za . Please include a title as well as your name,

age, telephone number, email address and postal address.

Each of these creative Enviro Kids wins a mystery prize!

Greening our school The Eco-Club at Collegiate Junior for Girls, Eastern Cape, recently planted a succulent garden. Here the four house captains are planting spekboom, known as ‘the wonder plant’ because of its excellent ability to absorb carbon dioxide.

French knitting with a difference

My Ndebele doll by Ntsumo Khoza (6) Lebone II College of the Royal Bafokeng, North West

To rhinos and recycling! The most recent winner of the annual WESSA Namphelia Ostrich Recycling Award is the International School of South Africa in Mafeking, North West. Their sculpture reminds us to protect the iconic rhino species and it works as a funky recycling bin for cans. Alinde Mdlokovama (12) and his classmates from Observatory Junior School, Western Cape, used toilet rolls and ice cream sticks to knit marvellous scarves as part of a class project for a Wrigley Litter Less campaign.

Woohoo! Students at Crawford Prep in Sandton, Gauteng, used recycled materials to make signposts directing delegates to their owl, earthworm and Ndebele doll workshops held at this year’s Gauteng Eco-Schools awards ceremony.

22 EnviroKids Vol. 38(4), Summer 2017

Compiled by Renata Harper

IS A TIMELESS ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION RESOURCE FOR CHILDREN, PARENTS AND TEACHERS. NOW IN ITS 38THYEAR, THIS QUARTERLY MAGAZINE IS FULL OF FANTASTIC FACTS AND INSPIRING STORIES, WITH THEMES SUPPORTING THE NATIONAL CURRICULUM. TAKE OUT AN ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION FORYOU ORYOUR SCHOOL AND LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING THE MAGAZINE DELIVERED TOYOUR DOORSTEP.

To subscribe, simply email envirokids@wessa.co.za.

4 ISSUES A YEAR FOR ONLY R150!

How to enter our competitions:

How to enter our competitions Send your original or scanned entry via: Post: EnviroKids, P.O. Box 30145, Tokai, 7966

Competitions close on 30 April 2018. Open to children under 15 years old. Please include your full name, age, postal address with postcode, email address and telephone number. ANSWERS to ‘Weird and wonderful seashore creatures’ (page 16): 1G 2D 3B 4C 5J 6I 7A 8F 9H 10E

Email: envirokids@wessa.co.za SMS/Whatsapp: 073 963 4663

EnviroKids Vol. 38(4), Summer 2017 23

Have fun testing your skills with these great puzzles from the Save Our Seas Foundation Shark Education Centre. Find the answers in the winter 2018 issue of EnviroKids!

Match the shark to its shadow

Help the great white shark to find its lunch: a delicious yellowfin tuna. HUNGRY SHARK © Claire Metcalf/Save Our Seas Foundation

Send in your entry and you could win one of the books reviewed on pages 18–19. Enter as many puzzles as you like!

24 EnviroKids Vol. 38(4), Summer 2017

Do the sums below and then use your answers to help you colour in this underwater scene. COLOUR BY NUMBER

“Our mission is to inspire kids to care for the ocean by offering experiential education programmes focused on sharks and local marine ecosystems.” www.sharkcentre.com

EnviroKids Vol. 38(4), Summer 2017 25

Compiled by Eleanor Yeld-Hutchings & Claire Metcalf (SOSF Shark Education Centre)

Let’s look after our beaches together! Below are some eas\ and fun to ¿nd signs of a health\ beach 8se this hand\ checklist to help Inspector %lue )lag assess \our faYourite beach INSPECT YOUR BEACH CheCklist Cleanliness W no litter in sight W bins for rubbish W dog walkers in dog-walking zones only W dog walkers clean up their dog’s poo W no layer of oil on water W no sight or smell of sewage

Look out for: W tracks and pawprints (e.g. from visiting Cape clawless otters or nesting turtles) W seabirds and their nests W snails W crabs W critters that help to keep the beach clean (e.g. giant beach pill bugs that nibble away at kelp) W kelp and seaweed create a unique home for many beach animals. It¶s a good sign if you find wildlife, or evidence of it, on the beach. Be careful where you walk and never disturb the animals you spot! Safety and services W Clean, working toilets W Lifeguard, beach steward or other beach official Healthy surrounding ecosystem W Surrounding areas are natural and well protected W No informal pathways W No alien vegetation W Sand dunes (these are home to many special plants and animals)

Wildlife can get tangled in fishing line, seabirds and turtles can swallow

Info boards W Clear rules about how to use the beach W Numbers to call in an emergency W Information on vulnerable local plants and animals Signs of life The beach is home for many animals, who may leave or even die if their environment isn’t healthy. &all a beach of¿cial if \ou see an\thing out of the ordinar\ or ¿nd inMured or dead animals plastic, and fish sometimes swallow the tiny pieces of plastic that we find difficult to spot. Make it a habit to do a quick cleanup with friends and family each time you visit the beach. 1 % 1eYer collect unh\gienic items

Send in your checklist and you could win a free subscription to EnviroKids! Name: ___________________________________ Age: _____________________________________ Beach: ___________________________________ Date of inspection: __________________________

26 EnviroKids Vol. 38(4), Summer 2017

Words Lauren De Vos

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