South African Coasts, by Anthea Ribbink and Tony Ribbink

South African Coasts: A celebration of our seas and shores, by Anthea Ribbink and Tony Ribbink. Random House Struik Nature. Cape Town, South Africa 2014. ISBN 9781775842118 / ISBN 978-1-77584-211-8

The book "South African Coasts: a celebration of our seas and shores" arose from a wish to inspire people to express their love for our oceans and coasts, to demonstrate their pride and do something positive, say editors Anthea Ribbink and Tony Ribbink. The extraordinary, prize-winning photographs in the book are accompanied by illuminating essays from leading scientists, sports people and others whose lives are intimately connected with the seas.

Tony Ribbink  

The splendours of our South African seas photographic competition, which ran in the summer of 2013/2014, provided an incentive for thousands of people to focus their cameras on the seas and shores to celebrate South Africa's coasts. This campaign was a reminder that everyone has a role to play in conservation. Taking a photograph is a small act, but such actions require thought, provide an emotional link to our heritage and may remind us of the origins of life in the sea. Collectively, actions are powerful when drawn together, as this collaborative project has done. The photographs in the book capture the spirit of optimism and hope of South Africans more strongly than words ever could. Young and old, amateur and professional, photographers have demonstrated enthusiasm and caring for South Africa's spectacular coasts and vistas, shown their awe for the curious, colourful and vibrant creatures living in and on the sea, exhibited pride in the rich and diverse culture and history that characterise South Africa and captured fun, enjoyment and adventure along the thousands of kilometres of our coasts and seas. That's not all. As accompaniment to the lovely photographs, the book is given considerable authority by top-quality, well-known authors who provided illustrated essays. These texts spotlight various areas of interest and are the lyrics where the photographs are the music in this particular celebration of our seas and shores. Additionally, the book provides an opportunity to introduce the concept of South African Hope Spots, originally defined by the architect of global Hope Spots, Dr Sylvia Earle, as pristine places in the sea that, if protected, can serve as sources of renewal for depleted species and systems while contributing to overall planetary stability and health. BUT she explains further that environmentally traumatised areas can be Hope Spots, because with care, they can be restored to better condition, themselves becoming 'a cause for hope'. Around South Africa, we have the opportunity to do both: to support, improve and grow existing marine protected areas (MPAs) and also to identify further areas needing protection, thus building momentum towards the establishment of future MPAs. A final goal in the multipronged development of this book is to channel any funds raised by the book into education projects involving coastal communities that depend on the seas. Sustainable Seas Trust is tremendously pleased to have worked with a team of excellent authors, each of whom provided an inspirational, informative essay. The authors have expertise in a wide range of topics, but they are united by their enthusiasm and respect for our seas and shores. To Sylvia Earle, George Branch, Mark Brown, Michelle Cocks, Tony Dold, Lloyd Edwards, Vernon Gibbs-Hall, Charles Griffiths, Vernon Head, Bruce Mann, Judy Mann, Olivia Symcox, Dorien Pichegru, Kim van Kets, Peter van Kets and Colin Urquart, a very warm thank you for taking time out of busy schedules to pen your contributions.

This is an excerpt from the book: South African Coasts, by Anthea Ribbink and Tony Ribbink.

Title: South African Coasts
Subtitle: A celebration of our seas and shores
Editors: Anthea Ribbink; Tony Ribbink
Publisher: Random House Struik
Imprint: Nature
Cape Town, South Africa 2014
ISBN 9781775842118 / ISBN 978-1-77584-211-8
Softcover, 26 x 21 cm, 176 pages, 300 photographs