10 April 2019

The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) will bid the SA Agulhas II farewell, as she departs for Marion Island on Thursday, 11 April 2019, at the East Pier Quay, V & A Waterfront Cape Town.

Aboard the ship will be the Marion 76 expedition team, as well as a host of researchers and scientists from DEA and tertiary institutions who will be doing research in the ocean and on the island. Marion is a volcanic island that forms part of South African territory and was proclaimed as a Special Nature Reserve Status in 1995. Marion Island is regarded as a natural laboratory as it is home to a vast biodiversity leading to the production of numerous research papers.

Members of the media are invited to cover the departure ceremony as follows:

Venue: East Pier Quay, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town

Date: 11 April 2019

Time: 10:00

 For RSVPs and scheduling of interviews please contact Gaopalelwe Moroane on 0636979001 / GMoroane@environment.gov.za

For media enquiries contact:

Zolile Nqayi
Cell: 082 898 6483 /
E-mail: znqayi@environment.gov.za