Our Projects
At Bay Action, our mission is to advance the understanding and conservation of the unique marine ecosystems of Algoa Bay and the Addo Canyons. Through long-term monitoring, scientific research, and collaboration with local stakeholders, we work to generate the knowledge needed to protect some of South Africa’s most important marine habitats.
Our projects focus on documenting marine biodiversity, understanding the ecological processes that sustain it, and supporting evidence-based conservation measures. From the coastal waters of Algoa Bay to the largely unexplored offshore canyon systems, our research highlights the extraordinary diversity of marine life found in this region and the urgent need to safeguard it from increasing human pressures.
Algoa Baywatch Monitoring Project
The Algoa Baywatch Monitoring Project is our long-term marine wildlife monitoring programme. Although the remarkable biodiversity of Algoa Bay has been observed through Raggy Charters’ operations since the early 2000s, a structured recording programme was established in 2024 to systematically collect sightings data and associated metadata.
Using photo-identification, bioacoustics, drone surveys, and behavioural observations, we monitor cetaceans, sharks, penguins, and other marine species throughout the bay. The project provides valuable information on species occurrence, distribution, and habitat use while supporting efforts to strengthen and expand marine protected areas within Algoa Bay.
Addo Canyons Research Project
Launched in 2026, the Addo Canyons Research Project is our pioneering offshore research initiative. Located only 60 km from the coastline, the Addo submarine canyons are among the least studied yet most biologically significant marine ecosystems in the region.
Driven by complex oceanographic processes such as upwelling, nutrient enrichment, and high primary productivity, these canyons support an exceptional diversity of marine mammals and other top predators. Despite limited survey effort, the project has already documented a remarkable number of sightings, revealing the ecological importance of this offshore environment.
Through ongoing research, we aim to better understand how marine species use the canyon system and to generate the scientific evidence required to support the future designation of a Marine Protected Area.
Together, these two projects form the foundation of Bay Action’s commitment to marine conservation, combining scientific research, long-term monitoring, and environmental stewardship to protect the rich biodiversity of Algoa Bay and the Addo Canyons for future generations.
