Our Projects
Addo Canyons Research Project
The Addo Canyons Research Project is our long-term commitment to advancing the understanding and conservation of the unique marine ecosystems of Algoa Bay and the Addo Canyons. Through scientific research, long-term monitoring, and collaboration with local stakeholders, we aim to generate the knowledge needed to protect some of South Africa’s most important marine habitats.
Our work focuses on documenting marine biodiversity, understanding the ecological processes that sustain these ecosystems, and providing the scientific foundation needed to support evidence-based conservation action. From the productive coastal waters of Algoa Bay to the largely unexplored offshore canyon systems, our research reveals the extraordinary diversity of marine life found in this region and highlights the urgent need to safeguard it from increasing human pressures.
The Addo Canyons Research programme consists of two complementary initiatives:
Algoa Baywatch Project
The Algoa Baywatch Project is our long-term marine wildlife monitoring programme, dedicated to documenting and understanding the remarkable biodiversity of Algoa Bay. While the bay’s exceptional marine life has been observed through Raggy Charters’ operations since the early 2000s, a structured monitoring programme was established in 2024 to systematically collect sightings data and associated ecological information.
Through a combination of photo-identification, bioacoustics, drone surveys, and behavioural observations, we monitor cetaceans, sharks, penguins, and other marine species throughout Algoa Bay. This long-term dataset provides valuable insights into species occurrence, distribution, habitat use, and ecological patterns, while supporting efforts to strengthen and expand marine protected areas within the bay.
Addo Canyons Project
Launched in 2026, the Addo Canyons Project is our pioneering offshore research initiative exploring one of the least studied yet most biologically significant marine environments in the region. Located approximately 60 km offshore, the Addo submarine canyons are shaped by complex oceanographic processes, including upwelling, nutrient enrichment, and high primary productivity, creating conditions that support exceptional marine biodiversity.
Despite limited historical survey effort, early research has already revealed a remarkable diversity of marine life, including important sightings of marine mammals and other top predators. These discoveries highlight the ecological importance of the canyon system and the need for further investigation.
Through ongoing surveys and research, we aim to better understand how marine species use this offshore environment, uncover the ecological processes that sustain it, and generate the scientific evidence required to support the future designation and protection of the Addo Canyons as a Marine Protected Area.
Together, the Algoa Baywatch Monitoring Project and the Addo Canyons Research Project form the foundation of our marine conservation efforts. By combining long-term monitoring, scientific research, and environmental stewardship, we work to protect the extraordinary biodiversity of Algoa Bay and the Addo Canyons for future generations.