Rewild our Seas: South Africa
Talisker and Parley embark on a nautical mission to explore South Africa’s biodiverse kelp forests and create a unique, limited-edition whisky to fund their protection
Globally, nearly 40% of the world’s kelp ecosystems are in decline. While these underwater forests might not get as much attention as iconic regions like the Amazon or Serengeti, they are just as crucial for life on Earth. Fast-growing kelp fronds provide a habitat for a huge variety of life, can sequester up to 20 times as much carbon per acre as terrestrial forests and also contribute to healthy oceans by regulating acidity.
To protect these crucial spaces, Talisker and Parley are on a long-term mission to ‘Rewild Our Seas’ by helping restore and protect kelp forests worldwide. Together with local and international partners, we’re supporting the preservation and protection of 100 million square meters by 2023.
“Every breath I take reminds me of how close I am to the great underwater forests”
Loyiso Dunga
With support from Talisker, Parley undertook an expedition to one of the world’s largest sea kelp forests, near the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. The ship explored the ‘The Great African Sea Forest’ and the expedition team of scientists, activists and filmmakers undertook a dive into its depths.
“Every breath I take reminds me of how close I am to the great underwater forests,” explains South African marine biologist Loyiso Dunga, who took part in the expedition. “This renews my dedication to advocate for these ecosystem engineers. In the face of all the anthropogenic pressures that kelp forest ecosystems face, including climate change, my greatest concern is that far too many people are unaware of the conspicuous kelp forests. I strongly believe in the words of Baba Dioum: “In the end, we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand, and we will understand only what we are taught”.
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