A groundbreaking partnership in the coastal town of Saldanha Bay, between Vodacom South Africa and WWF South Africa, is demonstrating how cutting-edge technology can protect endangered marine life while supporting sustainable food production.
A Delicate Balance in Our Oceans
South Africa's coastal communities face mounting challenges from overfishing, pollution, and climate change. While rope-grown mussel farming has emerged as a sustainable alternative to traditional fishing methods, it comes with its own challenges such as the risk of entangling endangered marine mammals, particularly whales, in the farming infrastructure.
With six out of thirteen great whale species classified as endangered or vulnerable, finding a solution that balances conservation with community livelihoods is critical.
Innovation Beneath the Waves
The solution? An AI-powered early warning system developed through the partnership between Vodacom and WWF. This sophisticated system deployed in the Saldanha Bay Aquaculture Development Zone (SBADZ) uses cameras and hydrophones to monitor marine activity in real-time.
The technology doesn't just detect whales – it creates an entire safety ecosystem. When marine mammals approach mussel farming areas, the system immediately alerts farmers to potential entanglement risks and initiates emergency response protocols. "This project shows how we can use technology for good — protecting marine life, empowering communities, and building a better future together," says Sitho Mdlalose, CEO of Vodacom South Africa.
Beyond immediate protection, the system also gathers valuable data on marine animal movements, helping scientists better understand migration patterns and behaviour.
Beyond Whale Conservation and Fighting Climate Change
The impact of this partnership extends beyond protecting individual whales. Each great whale clears away up to 33 tons of CO₂, making them vital allies in fighting climate change. By keeping these magnificent creatures safe, the initiative supports overall ocean health and climate resilience.
This technology also helps maintain rope-grown mussels on WWF's Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative (SASSI) green list, ensuring consumers can continue making sustainable seafood choices.
Pavitray Pillay, WWF-SASSI Manager at WWF South Africa, emphasizes this point: "We welcome all efforts to keep rope-grown mussels on our green list. This pilot has great potential to scale across other coastal areas."
Education and Community Empowerment
The partnership recognizes that technology alone isn't enough. Vodacom has integrated ocean literacy into its education ecosystem, supporting both an Early Childhood Development Centre and a Secondary School in the Saldanha Bay region. This holistic approach ensures the next generation understands the importance of marine conservation and sustainable practices.
Building on Strong Foundations
This initiative isn't happening in isolation. It builds on Vodacom and WWF's established digital collaboration, which includes the WWF-SASSI Fish ID digital platform – a tool helping consumers and seafood businesses make sustainable choices.
Looking Ahead: Scaling for Impact
The success of this pilot project in Saldanha Bay opens doors for expansion. Once proven effective, the solution can be scaled to other Aquaculture Development Zones around South Africa's coastline, creating a model where technology, conservation, and community development work in harmony.
This innovative partnership demonstrates how corporate technology expertise can directly support conservation goals while empowering communities – a blueprint for sustainable development in South Africa and beyond.
