Changemaker: Ayanda, V&A Seal Monitor 23 Jan 2025 An Ocean Hero As a society, we don’t realise the impact that our trash has after we’ve thrown it away. One of the sad ways that rubbish impacts our planet is with our marine friends. Did you know that things like plastic bags, fishing gut, and rope end up in our oceans and curious seals (and other sea creatures) get entangled in them? This can lead to serious injury, starvation and death.Along our V&A shore alone, nearly 30 seals were rescued from plastic pollution entanglements in 2023. Multiply that by all the seal havens across the world and just imagine how many seals die, without anyone to help them. In our neighbourhood, we’re committed to saving our seal friends. Meet Ayanda, the V&A’s seal monitor. Every day, he checks up on our V&A seals (up to 80 during summer) across 3 platforms. Find out more about this seal superhero. MEET AYANDA, MARINE GUARDIAN SAVING OUR SEAL STARS"Before this job, I wasn’t confident in the water at all. Now, wind or rain, I’m ready to jump into the cold ocean that wraps around our neighbourhood to rescue seals from human pollution that entraps them. I’m always looking for seals who are visibly entangled in something (usually fishing gut, rope or plastic bags), acting aggressive/erratic or are under-weight. “When I see a seal that needs saving, I get my gear and dive in. After training, I now feel confident in the water. I even enjoy being in the ocean."- Ayanda / Marine Guardian I have to be careful when dealing with seals because they are wild animals in distress. When I cut them loose, there’s a sudden realisation that they are free. That’s the most rewarding moment.” A DAY IN THE LIFE07:00I wake up, fuel myself with a little breakfast, and get on the road.09:00When I arrive, I start my morning rounds at Platform 1 (next to the Aquarium).11:00I go scope out Platform 2, near the Clock Tower.13:00Now, it’s time for a break. I head back to the Marina Office for lunch.14:00Back on my rounds, I head back to the third platform near Table Bay.16:00I do one last sweep of the 3 platforms, just to make sure. Today, there were no entanglements - tomorrow, I'll do it all over again! FROM SEAL CHASER TO OCEAN PROTECTOR"In 2017, I started at the V&A as a seal chaser. Sometimes seals climb onto the yachts parked in our Marina and cause havoc. So it was my job to chase them back into the water. Before I started, I had no idea about seals. Thankfully, I was trained to deal with them safely. But I wanted to know more. I approached my Team Leader with a desire to grow. “The V&A Waterfront was amazing in giving me an opportunity to learn more, train and evolve into a seal monitor. - Ayanda / Marine Guardian At first, I was really nervous about being in the water. But, after some experience, now I feel at home diving along our water’s edge. Now, I’m no longer chasing the seals off boats. Instead, I go around every day to make sure they are safe and healthy." Protecting The Flippers Of The FutureIn our eyes, Ayanda is a real hero. We’ll keep supporting him on his mission to protect seals. But, as a society, we can do our part to make his job easier and decrease the risk to all marine life.Here’s a top tip from the Two Oceans Aquarium: cut the handles of your plastic bags to prevent the circular shape from dangerously constricting the necks of seals and other curious creatures. Better yet, skip plastic altogether! IN THE WORDS OF OUR CHANGEMAKER Related stories Niaz and Migyle, V&A Retail Development Team Read more on our Changemaker: Niaz and Migyle, V&A retail Development Team Read More Deidre, Social Impact At The V&A Read more on our Changemaker: Deidre, Social Impact at the V&A Read More Luxolo, V&A Academy Graduate Read more on our Changemaker: Ayanda, V&A Seal Monitor Read More share
