Mbulelo Dopolo visits Marion Island during 2021.
The Prince Edward Islands in the southern Indian Ocean form the first sub-Antarctic Ramsar Site in the sub-Antarctic, designated as RAMSAR Site Wetland of International Importance by South Africa on 22 May 2007 as No. 1688. The RAMSAR Convention’s mission is “the conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local and national actions and international cooperation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world”. Wetlands are among the most diverse and productive ecosystems that provide essential ecosystem services.
Mbulelo Dopolo is the Director responsible for the Sub-Antarctic and Antarctica management in the Branch Oceans and Coasts, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE). His role includes the;
- coordination, facilitation and support of science that improves understanding of earth systems;
- policy formulation and advancement of South Africa’s interest in the Antarctic Treaty system;
- administration and functioning of the Prince Edward Islands Advisory Committee (PEIAC).
In his capacity as management oversight through the PEIAC, he was part of the takeover team for Marion Island during April and May in 2021 – “As I am responsible for the oversight of the Implementation of the Prince Edward Islands Management Plan , I took this as part of the exercise to familiarize myself and ground truth some of the issues flagged during the Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool (METT-SA) assessment of the PEI SNR / Ramsar site held in February 2021 of the 58th meeting of the Standing Committee.” Mbulelo shared some of his experiences while on Marion Island.
Left: Daisy Kotsedi – Marine Protected Area (MPA) Management with Mbulelo Dopolo en route to Watertunnel from the base, which is approximately 30 km walk over steep climbs of Black headed and Rocky terrain.
Right: (l-r- Sanele Mkhonza- Environmental Control Officer(ECO), Sydney Tshilingalinga – Assistant ECO, Daisy Kotsedi and Mbulelo Dopolo at the base prior to their departure for Watertunnel.
(Left) At the base before departure for very first trip out of the base to Ships Cove. ( Right) Assisting with fuel transfer from the ship to the base storage. Pulling the pipe from a rubber duck to the shore. S.A. Agulhas II in the background. Unfortunately, they had to abort their mission to Rooks due to strong winds.
Bit of Background on Mbulelo is that he did a Master of Science degree in Zoology, specialising in Marine Ecology at University of Cape Town and received training in Ocean Governance through International Ocean Institute – Southern Africa and Rhodes University in 2013. Mbulelo is fluent in five of our 11 indigenous languages. See below links where Mbulelo was co-author to articles and conference papers:
- A strategic framework for biodiversity monitoring in South African National Parks
- Fine-scale spatial variability of different stages of pelagic fish eggs over the western Agulhas Bank, South Africa
- Monitoring consumptive resource use in South African national parks
- Temporal and spatial variability in the abundance, biomass and distribution of Palaemon peringueyi (Decapoda: Crustacea) are influenced by biological but not physico-chemical factors in the permanently open Kariega Estuary, South Africa
- Online appendix 1:An inventory of natural resources harvested from national parks in South Africa
- An inventory of natural resources harvested from national parks in South Africa
- A strategic framework for biodiversity monitoring in South African National Parks
- Fine-scale spatial variability of different stages of pelagic fish eggs over the western Agulhas Bank, South Africa
- Stage-dependent vertical distribution of pelagic fish eggs on the western Agulhas Bank, South Africa
- Fine-scale spatial variation of pelagic fish eggs in relation to ontogenetic variation over the western Agulhas bank, South Africa
- Conference Papers:
- South Africa works towards eradicating introduced house mice from sub-Antarctic Marion Island: the largest island yet attempted for mice
- Shore-based recreational angling catches and catch per unit effort adjacent to Agulhas and West Coast National Parks.
Winnie “WINZA” Moodaley. “I am, as always, grateful for the opportunities afforded to me, and the trust placed in me by those who believe in me. “It was also a way to find out what I am capable of in such a remote setting; if I could rise to such a challenge.”
Alain Jacobs “AJ”. He believes coming to Marion was destiny and decided to come for the “experience of a lifetime”.
Aphiwe Dyum “One thing I realised whilst being on the island is the inter-personal skill that is necessary when working in remote areas like Marion Island.”
Khuliso Collen Maphaha “My experience on Marion has been “greater than expected and I look forward to greater moments to come.”
Nkoane Jack Mathabatha “It is an honour and a privilege to be part of this important research. The earth isn’t going to stop revolving and if we stop moving we might fall off and be left behind lingering in the past.”
Patrick Hlongwane, “Pat” His wonderful singing voice and superb dance moved have brightened up life for those who are here.
Philani Siya Ngcobo “Siya” “I expected total isolation here on this remote island, with maybe one call a week, but has been pleasantly surprised at the access to the internet and the ability to keep up with sport and news.”
Stephanus Schoeman His enjoyment of his job was a driving factor that brought him to Marion, along with the “opportunity to see such a beautiful place.”
Danielle Z. Keys, or Dani “Marion stole my heart in 2018 and I never wanted to leave in the first place! I love the freedom and the wildlife here – there is nothing else like it.” “I am braver this time round.”
Frikkie van der Vyver With covid-19 raising havoc in most parts of the world, an opportunity to return to Marion couldn’t have come at a more appropriate time.”
Leandri de Kock “The experience is really a dream come true. I have learned so much and seen so much of the island. So far, not one day has been the same. Truly an adventure of a lifetime.”
Audrey Mpho Mashau, or Mpho Mpho has overwintered on an expedition like this before and knows Marion – something she says “came in handy as I knew the kind of mental and physical commitment I was putting myself into.”
Thando Cebekhulu, He originally came to Marion Island as part of M74 and says “it actually feels like I never left this place.”
Yinhla Shihlomule “ It is the most peaceful place on earth – never mind the roaring winds and tumbling waves.” “I sailed to Marion Island. That’s a lifetime experience. “
Director Ruth Peacey “Antarctica cast a spell on me and Marion has evoked that same magic. I feel so lucky to be able to share this special experience with such an ace team.” 
Cameraman Tom Hartwell “a cameraman’s dream… I couldn’t resist the opportunity to film on an island with such incredible natural spectacles, not to mention so many charismatic and loveable species!”
Camera Assistant Katie Wardle “I feel so lucky to be able to experience this crazy island and at the start of my career this is a gold dust opportunity to learn and hopefully propel me into other work on my return home.” 
Back row (left to right): Khuliso Maphaha (Assistant Meteorologist), Phethokuhle Hlongwane (Base Engineer), Stephanus Schoeman (SANSA Engineer), Yinhla Shihlomule (Sealer), Mpho Mashau (ECO), Tom Hartwell (Film Crew), Danielle Keys (Birder and Science Team Leader), Winnie Moodaley (Medical Orderly and Team Leader), Philani Ngcobo (Assistant Meteorologist).
The 78th Marion Island overwintering team has gone through some ups and downs. After two weeks of isolation and multiple Covid-19 tests, the team left Cape Town on 9 April at 19:34 onboard the SA Agulhas II with Captain Gavin Syndercombe. The team arrived at Marion Island on 13 April 2021. The Marion 78 team leader is Bubele Nongwejana (see below). He is also the Medical Orderly, taking over from Winnie Moodaley – current team leader and Medical Orderly of Marion 77.
“Marion Island is the jewel in South Africa’s island crown – it is huge and beautiful, hosts an astonishing array of endemic species and charismatic marine megafauna, and is pristine. Or nearly pristine.
The Mouse-Free Marion project is gaining increasing momentum, as we work towards an eradication operation in the austral winter of 2023. The Mouse-Free Marion Project, a collaborative project underway to eradicate rodents from Marion Island, currently has the following opportunities available: 
