Stranded Marine Animal Rescue Team

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Stranded Marine Animal Rescue Team

The Stranded Marine Animal Rescue Team (S.M.A.R.T) was established in 2015 as a non-profit company (NPC).

It consists of a group of volunteers who are passionate about the safety, survival, and care of stranded marine animals. About the Stranded Marine Animal Rescue Team (S.M.A.R.T)

The Stranded Marine Animal Rescue Team (S.M.A.R.T) is a non-profit company (NPC) consisting of volunteers who are passionate about marine and stranded animals along our coastlines. Our team covers the area from Wilderness

to Mossel Bay and beyond. We are dedicated to helping any animal in distress or danger and rely on the public to contact us or report any cases. S.M.A.R.T operates under the authority of the Department of, Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DEFF) and serves as agents for Dr. Greg Hofmeyr from Bayworld, Gqerberha. We collaborate with various organisations, including the NSRI, SPCA, Mossel Bay Municipality, Seaborder Police, Cape Nature, SANParks, SAPREC and various conservancies and neighbourhood watch groups in the area. S.M.A.R.T is a non-profit company with founders Dr. Frans De Graaff(Veteranian), Anton Dellemijn, Tersia Marais and directors Ig van der Merwe and Val Marsh. Our approach to handling marine strandings, such as whales, dolphins, seals, and sea turtles, is as follows:

The public, SPCA, emergency services, SAPS, etc., report strandings to our emergency number:
072 227 4715
The message is then posted in a WhatsApp group, and available personnel are dispatched to the site. Feedback on the nature and severity of the stranding is communicated within the WhatsApp group. Animals are taken to Dr. Frans for treatment and released as soon as possible if possible. As a non-profit company (NPC), all donations are welcome to help us purchase much-needed equipment and branding materials. Our banking details are as follows:

Bank: FNB Cheque Account
Name: Stranded Marine Animal Rescue Team
Account Number: 627 1875 1028
Branch: 250655
Reference: Your name or company name
Please do not make cash transfers. If you make a donation, please send a payment notification to [email protected] so we can thank you properly! (A tax certificate can be issued for corporate donations.)

30/06/2025

Yesterday, Dr Greg Hofmeyr from Bayworld Museum Marine Mammals visited Victoria Bay to check on Columbo, the elephant seal who has been resting on the beach for some time now. We’re grateful for his expert assessment and are currently in discussions to determine the best course of action going forward, always prioritising Columbo’s wellbeing.🦭

We kindly ask the public to continue keeping a respectful distance and not to approach him. Although Columbo may appear relaxed, human interference can be very stressful and potentially harmful to him. 💙

Thank you to everyone who has shown such care and concern. Your cooperation plays a vital role in helping us protect our visiting marine wildlife. 🙏🏻

Photo Credit: Tersia Marais

27/06/2025

We’re incredibly honoured to be nominated for Best Community Organisation in the Professional Services category of Best of Mossel Bay!💙

This recognition means the world to us, and we couldn’t have done it without the support of our amazing community. If you believe in the work S.M.A.R.T. does to protect and educate about our coastal wildlife, we’d be so grateful for your vote.🌊

Please take a moment to vote for us using the link below - every vote truly counts!👇🏼

🔗 https://www.bestofsouthafrica.co.za/mossel-bay/bom-voting-category-services/

Thank you to everyone who nominated us - your support inspires us to keep making a difference!🙏🏻

Video by: Michael de Nobrega

25/06/2025

World Oceans Day Awareness 🌊

Join us for a day of fun, learning, and ocean appreciation!

📍 The Point, Mossel Bay
📅 Saturday, 28 June 2025
🕙 10:00 – 14:00

21/06/2025

It’s now Day 19 of Columbo’s stay at Victoria Bay, and this remarkable young elephant seal continues to rest on the shoreline. He appears healthy and calm, showing natural behaviour typical for his species during haul-out periods.

The S.M.A.R.T. team is on site daily, monitoring his condition and ensuring he remains safe and undisturbed. We’re grateful to the public for keeping a respectful distance and allowing Columbo the quiet space he needs to recuperate.

Please remember: no touching, no feeding, and no approaching too closely. Let’s all do our part to protect our marine visitors. 🦭💙

16/06/2025

We’re still hard at work monitoring and safeguarding Columbo, the elephant seal who has been resting at Victoria Bay for the past two weeks. 🦭

A heartfelt thank you goes out to each and every one of our incredible volunteers who have generously taken time out of their busy schedules to help keep an eye on him - your dedication is truly appreciated. 🙏🏻

We kindly ask the public to respect Columbo’s space and to keep a safe distance when visiting the area. Thank you for your support and understanding. 💙

Address

Mossel Bay

Website

http://www.s-m-a-r-t.org.za/

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