Stories in 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.

UCT-MARiS ECRs enjoyed an inspiring tour of Sea Technology Services, exploring cutting-edge ocean robotics and research instruments. Thank you to Sean Lavis and Sandy Thomalla for an engaging glimpse into ocean science in action.

MARiS Meet 2026 kicked off the year with over 20 ECRs and academics connecting, welcoming new members, and strengthening community ties. A fantastic start to an exciting year of MARiS events and engagement!

A new resource centre at the University of Cape Town honours the late Professor Mathieu Rouault while advancing interdisciplinary ocean and climate research for future generations.

MARiS celebrated a year of collaboration, growth, and resilience at its 2025 End-of-Year Gathering at Clay Café. The team reflected on achievements, challenges, and exciting plans to strengthen research, outreach, and connection in 2026!

UCT-MARiS researchers and early-career scientists engaged at the 7th SANAP Symposium, strengthening collaboration across polar and Southern Ocean research, sharing new insights on sea ice, ecosystems and climate, and building networks.

Prof Lynne Shannon becomes the first Global South recipient of the Prince Albert I Grand Medal for Ocean Science, awarded in Paris on 8 December 2025.

UCT-MARiS researchers Dr Emma Rocke and PhD student, Yameen Badrodien, represented South Africa at the AtlantECO Hackathon and Legacy Conference in the Azores, advancing Benguela Upwelling microbiome science and global collaboration.

The 2025 AOS Masters Proposal Showcase brought together 11 students presenting diverse ocean research topics. Thank you to everyone who joined and contributed valuable feedback—your support inspires our emerging ocean scientists!

The 2025 MARiS ECR Conference brought together researchers from UCT and beyond for a day of knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and inspiration in marine and polar sciences. The event celebrated the power of interdisciplinary research.

An incredible experience for many – students, lecturers, scientific staff and the SA Agulhas II crew -- 10 days of pure magic out at sea sailing along the South African shoreline to discover the secrets of the Agulhas Current!

UCT-MARiS (Lynne, Emma, Louise) proudly represented UCT and South Africa at the UN Ocean Conference 2025 (UNOC3) in Nice, France, in June 2025, contributing expertise at high-level sessions on ocean governance, biodiversity, and education.

UCT-MARiS was represented at the official Kick-Off meeting for the South African Master of Ocean Sciences (SAMOS) programme in April 2025 at the Nelson Mandela University, aimed at enhancing Ocean Sciences education, research, and industry

ICSHMO 2025 welcomed many scientists, researchers and professionals from around the globe, offering a platform for the exchange of innovative ideas, cutting-edge research, and groundbreaking developments in atmospheric and oceanic science.

UCT-MARiS continues to foster a supportive and engaging community for early career researchers, with events encouraging collaboration and well-being. Here's a quick recap on the MARiS ECR's first hike together in Newlands Forest.

The MARiS ECR Research Showcase 2024 celebrated innovative marine and polar research through talks, posters, and guest speakers, strengthening collaboration and community across UCT-MARiS.

The Around Africa Expedition aims to provide invaluable insights and guide data-driven decisions to support ocean conservation policy, sustainable resource management, local capacity building & training, and marine protected area planning.

Celebrating Professor Lynne Shannon from UCT for her incredible contributions to IPBES assessments, focusing on biodiversity, ecosystem services, and sustainable development to combat biodiversity loss & foster a just & equitable future.

The 11th session of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) is being held in Windhoek, Namibia between 11 - 18 December 2024, marking the first-ever African plenary of this global body.

Professor Marcello Vichi had the honour in delivering his Inaugural Lecture titled “Fifty degrees of separation: Why Antarctica and the polar regions matter for Afrika”, on Monday, 21 October at UCT Upper Campus. See the recording here.

From 13 - 18 October 2024, the 7th International Marine Conservation Congress (IMCC7) brought together over 800 delegates from across the globe at Cape Town’s International Convention Centre. Read the highlights of MARiS Staff & Students.