The greatest long-term threat to our existence is climate change and the lack of care of our environment. The NSRI believes in doing everything possible to reduce our carbon footprint and impact on the environment. We also advocate the conservation of South Africa’s marine areas and support animal rescues.
Water crises in the Western, Eastern and Southern Cape, extreme weather conditions and devastating wildfires have all underlined the importance of the environment to sustainability and livelihoods.
We have taken a position with regards to conservation to identify with initiatives to conserve marine animals, whales, dolphins, turtles and seabirds, and actively participate in programmes related to protecting these species. We are positively against marine pollution of a solid, biological and chemical nature and lobby local government to improve their systems. We understand the impact that marine pollution has on human health and our activism relates to our values around human life. The ocean cannot continue to absorb the waste it is confronted with and we must make internal and external effort as an organisation to reduce pollution.
We are conscious of energy requirements and its impact on the environment, and we are constantly striving to reduce our environmental footprint through more efficient sources and mechanisms like LED lighting, four-stroke outboard motors, building insulation and reduced travel.
Help us to protect our planet.
Help us preserve South Africa’s marine wildlife.
The results of our energy-efficient and water-saving strategies have led to a reduction in our overall carbon footprint. Our facilities and assets reflect a culture of safety and concern for the environment. We strive to create awareness around the preservation of natural resources, including marine wildlife, and will always respond to marine animals in distress. Around 140 Sea Rescue volunteers, operating from 18 stations, have been trained to perform whale disentanglements.
James Janse van Rensburg, NSRI Hermanus duty coxswain, said: At 06h26, Thursday, 25 December, NSRI Hermanus duty crew were activated following eyewitness reports of a dog appearing to be in distress swimming in the Hermanus New Harbour.
John Nicholas, NSRI Port Edward station commander, said: At 08h15, Monday, 22 September, NSRI Port Edward duty crew were activated following reports from uShaka Marine World of 2 green turtles needing to be recovered at the Umzimkulu River.
Stephen van den Berg, NSRI Gqeberha duty coxswain, said: At 10h00, Sunday, 14 September, NSRI Gqeberha and the SA Whale Disentanglement Network (SAWDN) volunteers were alerted to reports to NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre) of a juvenile Humpback whale entangled in fishing rope.
Kevin Warren, NSRI Gqeberha coxswain, said: At 09h06, Tuesday, 2 September, NSRI Gqeberha were alerted by SAWDN operations to prepare SAWDN (South African Whale Disentanglement Network) trained NSRI SAWDN crew and to prepare the SAWDN specialised gear and cutting equipment for a whale disentanglement operation.
On Thursday, 21 August, we have managed to intervene to prevent dog ACHI from being euthanised. In cooperation with authorities and the Department of Agriculture Ministers office we are working tirelessly to resolve this matter and save dog ACHI.
In 2 separate whale disentanglement operations, on Saturday, West of Gqeberha, and on Wednesday, offshore of Cape St Francis, NSRI rescue craft launched, accompanied by SAWDN trained NSRI crew, to successfully carry out 2 operations to disentangle whales, a juvenile and an adult Humpback whale, caught in fishing rope and fishing gear.