Throughout 2024 UCT supported and hosted a mix of scientific workshops, international conferences, community engagement fundraisers, participatory fisheries platforms and student outreach projects — all contributing to conservation, sustainable use and stewardship of aquatic habitats (marine and coastal). Below are 2024 examples where UCT organised, co-hosted or supported events and activities that promote conservation and the sustainable use of aquatic habitats (oceans, coasts, rivers).
1. MARAM / International Fisheries Stock-Assessment Workshop (sardine, squid, horse-mackerel) — Dec 2024
UCT hosted the International Fisheries Stock Assessment / MARAM workshop in December 2024, bringing together scientists working on key South African stocks (sardine, squid and horse-mackerel) to review data, methods and management implications. The workshop focused on stock assessment science that underpins sustainable fisheries management and resource conservation, and UCT provided venue/coordination and research inputs through its marine science groups.
2. IMCC7 — “Making Marine Science Matter” (UCT / MARiS participation) — Oct 2024
The 7th International Marine Conservation Congress (IMCC7) took place in Cape Town in October 2024. UCT researchers and the MARiS network (Marine & Antarctic Research for Innovation & Sustainability) actively participated, presenting research on coastal fisheries, aquaculture, ecosystem monitoring and stakeholder engagement. IMCC7 is a major international gathering linking science, conservation practice and community/stakeholder actors to advance marine conservation and sustainable use.
3. Two Oceans Aquarium collaboration — Diver24 fundraiser & Research Open Day (Apr & Aug 2024)
UCT student groups (the UCT Underwater Club) ran Diver24 — a 24-hour dive marathon at the Two Oceans Aquarium (April 6–7, 2024) — raising funds for turtle rehabilitation and marine-science education. The Two Oceans Aquarium’s 2024 Research Open Day also brought together dozens of academics (including UCT researchers) to showcase collaborative marine science projects and knowledge exchange useful for conservation and outreach. These events combine public engagement, education and direct financial/operational support for marine conservation activities.
4. ABALOBI / small-scale fisheries engagement (ongoing activity with 2024 momentum)
UCT-linked projects using the Abalobi platform continued to engage small-scale fishers in data collection, traceability and stewardship activities in 2024. Abalobi is a participatory, fisher-driven data and market platform that supports sustainable small-scale fisheries by improving data quality and livelihoods — a direct contribution to stewardship and sustainable use of marine resources. UCT researchers have been active collaborators in scaling and evaluating these approaches.
5. REINCORPFISH / fisheries governance collaboration (2024 activity)
The REINCORPFISH project (an international research collaboration with participation from UCT researchers) ran workstreams in 2024 aimed at reviewing fisheries governance frameworks and facilitating the reintegration of excluded fishers into management processes. Activities included workshops and knowledge exchanges that support more equitable and sustainable fisheries governance.
6. Student & arts outreach on marine themes (Michaelis / experiential learning) — 2024
Creative and outreach projects by UCT students (e.g., Michaelis School of Fine Art) engaged marine themes in 2024 — including public installations and community-facing work with the Two Oceans Aquarium and local NGOs that raise awareness of coastal ecosystem health (kelp, reefs) and sustainable use. In September and October Michaelis students, led by Associate Professor Fritha Langerman, worked with the Two Oceans Aquarium on installations that drew attention to some of the key environmental issues that our oceans face. Their projects were installed in October at the aquarium and within the city, and engaged the public in thinking about complicity, care and the impact of our everyday actions on the surrounding coastline. The project was run as an elective at the Michaelis School of Fine Art and was supported by UCT Khusela Ikamva funding. These activities amplify conservation messages and connect communities with marine science.