On 30 July 2026, the UCT-MARiS team was honoured to be invited aboard the French research vessel Marion Dufresne II for a special conference marking the conclusion of the WHIRLS Cruise 2026.
MARiS has been reaccredited by UCT for 2026–2031, recognizing its impactful research, interdisciplinary collaborations, strong governance and international reputation — a collective achievement for the MARiS community.
UCT-MARiS researchers joined the global polar science community at the 12th SCAR2026 in Oslo, sharing research, building collaborations and showcasing South Africa’s contribution to Antarctic and Southern Ocean science.
UCT-MARiS, Biological Sciences and Partners Remove Over Half a Ton of Marine Debris During Collaborative Mandela Day Marina Cleanup from the the Royal Cape Yacht Club (RCYC) marina's Cat Corner on Saturday, 18 July 2026.
WHIRLSchool brought 11 students and early-career researchers aboard the R/V S.A. Agulhas II for an immersive ocean science experience, combining hands-on fieldwork, data analysis, research and scientific communication.
Dr Louise Gammage represented UCT-MARiS at an African Round Table on Marine and Ocean Governance in Nairobi, contributing perspectives on small-scale fisheries, community participation and strengthening legal capacity for ocean governance.
The MARiS Early Career Researchers (ECRs) hosted their 4th Annual MARiS Quiz Night Fundraiser on Thursday, 18 June 2026, welcoming 26 enthusiastic participants to the John Day Museum for an evening of fun and friendly competition.
UCT-MARiS and SAPRI Research Assistant, Dayna Collins, attended the Saroma Sea Ice School 2026 in Japan, gaining hands-on polar sea ice research experience, building global connections, and advancing her journey in sea ice science.
MARiS researchers: MarBEL x ARU successfully tested an ROV in False Bay, combining marine ecology and robotics to unlock new insights into seafloor habitats and benthic ecosystems.
SAPRI Research Assistant Zee Mfaku joined a field mission aboard the R/V Observer, installing a weather station and deploying six ocean buoys offshore of Algoa Bay—strengthening ocean monitoring while gaining valuable hands-on experience.
UCT-MARiS PhD student Christiaan van Niekerk represented UCT-MARiS at the 2026 SOLAS Summer School, joining 45 early-career researchers to explore ocean–atmosphere science, international collaboration, and science communication.
Celebrating World Engineering Day, UCT-MARiS ECRs Sarah Tallack and Tristyn Ferreiro inspired Springfield Convent learners by sharing their engineering journeys and challenging Women in STEM stereotypes.
