Stranded Marine Animal Rescue Team

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.)

Mossel Bay’s coastline is home to a thriving colony of Cape fur seals. They are a wonderful part of our marine ecosystem...
19/10/2025

Mossel Bay’s coastline is home to a thriving colony of Cape fur seals. They are a wonderful part of our marine ecosystem, but it’s important to remember that they can carry rabies. Knowing how to respond when you encounter a seal helps protect both you and the animals.

🔹 If you see a seal while swimming:
🚨 Stay calm and leave the water slowly, avoid splashing or sudden movements.
🚨 Never approach or attempt to interact with the seal.
🚨 If you’re bitten or scratched, seek medical help immediately and report the incident.

🔹 If you come across a live seal on the beach:
✅ Keep a safe distance.
✅ Do not touch, feed, or try to move the seal.
✅ Keep dogs and children well away.
✅ Report the sighting to S.M.A.R.T. on 072 227 4715.

🔹 If you find a dead seal:
📌 Do not touch or attempt to move it. Rabies can still pose a risk after death.
📌 Report the carcass to Mossel Bay Municipality at 044 606 5000 or the Joint Operations Centre (JOC) on 044 606 5159 for safe collection.

📸 Photo Credit: Michael de Nobrega

SMART says thank you to Point High School!For decades, it has been a proud tradition for the Matric Class of Point High ...
18/10/2025

SMART says thank you to Point High School!

For decades, it has been a proud tradition for the Matric Class of Point High School to jump into the Poort wearing their school uniforms. This was also planned for Thursday, but unexpected rain, strong waves, and a Cape Fur Seal swimming in the Poort prevented the jump from taking place.

Due to current rabies concerns among seals, the staff of Point High decided it was safer for the learners to swim at Santos Beach instead.

What matters most to SMART is that we, as Mossel Bay residents, continue to show respect for our marine animals, such as Cape Fur Seals. We are blessed with many beautiful beaches to enjoy safely, and SMART would like to thank Point High School for their wise and responsible decision on Thursday!

The same seal was also seen again yesterday on the rocks, and SMART volunteers have been monitoring him.









Photos of Cape Fur Seals: Maruschka Maree
Other photos: SMARTies

Cape Fur Seal Rescue – Sadly UnsuccessfulYesterday late afternoon, SMART received a call about a Cape Fur Seal in distre...
17/10/2025

Cape Fur Seal Rescue – Sadly Unsuccessful

Yesterday late afternoon, SMART received a call about a Cape Fur Seal in distress. Volunteers immediately responded, and Mr. Rob Holden managed to rescue the young seal from the water. The animal had a thin piece of rope tightly wrapped around its neck and was struggling to breathe.

The volunteers took the seal to Dr. Frans de Graaff’s Animal Hospital for treatment. Unfortunately, despite all efforts, the seal did not survive.

It is a very sad outcome, and SMART is seeing more and more seals affected by entanglement. This highlights the serious danger that discarded fishing lines and ropes pose to marine animals.





SMART at Curro Mossel Bay! 🐢💙On Friday, 26 September, SMART had a fun and educational morning at Curro Mossel Bay with t...
16/10/2025

SMART at Curro Mossel Bay! 🐢💙

On Friday, 26 September, SMART had a fun and educational morning at Curro Mossel Bay with the Grade 1–3 learners! Sammy the Sea Turtle was there too — and the children were so excited to meet him!

A big thank you to the amazing teachers and staff at Curro Mossel Bay for welcoming us and helping us share our love for the ocean. 💙

These enthusiastic young learners are the future — and together, we can protect our oceans and marine animals!
🦭🐳🐢🐬








SMART held two important events in the Mossel Bay area yesterday.1️⃣ Curro High School Mossel Bay at Gourikwa Coastal Na...
15/10/2025

SMART held two important events in the Mossel Bay area yesterday.

1️⃣ Curro High School Mossel Bay at Gourikwa Coastal Nature Reserve to share more about SMART’s work and its role in marine protection. The session aimed to raise awareness among young people about ocean conservation and how everyone can contribute to protecting our coastline and marine life.

2️⃣ Workshop at Hartenbos Animal Hospital
A second event took place at the Hartenbos Animal Hospital, where Sr. Stefanie de Graaff, together with SMART members and new “Smarties,” conducted a practical session on handling seal pups and sea turtles. Adult turtles often strand along our coast, and with Cape fur seals expected to start pupping in about a month, the team is preparing to assist when needed.

SMART’s protocols for both species are in place to ensure that all animals receive proper and effective care.









Yesterday, we assisted with the rescue of a Green Turtle at Little Brak River. The turtle was discovered by Jean Pretori...
06/10/2025

Yesterday, we assisted with the rescue of a Green Turtle at Little Brak River. The turtle was discovered by Jean Pretorius down the river near the N2 bridge, after suffering injuries from a boat propeller strike.

Our dedicated volunteers immediately transported the turtle to Hartenbos Dierehospitaal / Animal Hospital for urgent care and treatment. The turtle has since been transferred to Two Oceans Aquarium for further rehabilitation.🐢

At this stage, the turtle’s condition remains critical, and we are hoping for a full recovery.🏥

A big thank you to Jean Pretorius, the Hartenbos Animal Hospital team, and our incredible volunteers for their quick response and compassion.🙏🏻

Address

Mossel Bay

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Stranded Marine Animal Rescue Team posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category