The Franschhoek Theatre will host marine naturalist and author Georgina Jones of the Southern Underwater Research Group (Surg), for a public talk on Wednesday 26 June.
Jones will tell the audience all about the marine biodiversity of the Cape Peninsula, and is a must-see for anyone interested in sea life. She is a leading authority on marine life, having dived extensively in the Cape Peninsula and False Bay areas since 1990.
In 2008, Jones published the popular reference work, “A Field Guide to the Marine Animals of the Cape Peninsula”. She has also been involved in editing and contributing to the recently-published “Southern African Sea Slugs”, a comprehensive and illustrated guide to 868 known species of nudibranch that inhabit South African waters. In 2019, Jones co-authored a book on the sea slugs of the Maputaland Coast.
Her talk will focus on animals in the waters surrounding the Cape Peninsula, which serves as a boundary between two different marine bio-regions. There are about four basic habitats in the area: open water; rocky bottoms and reefs (often with kelp); sandy bottoms; and rocky shoreline. Each is associated with unique marine ecosystems.
Jones will describe a variety of sea animals, from marine mammals like seals, dolphins and whales, to sharks and fish. A highlight will be her encyclopaedic knowledge of some of the smaller animals in Cape waters – molluscs (from mussels to sea snails), crabs and other crustaceans, colourful sea slugs (nudibranchs) and worms, jellyfish, octopuses and squid, and more.
Surg, which publishes specialist books about marine life, has also been associated with the discovery of several wrecks. These include the SS Lusitania, a Portuguese cargo vessel that was wrecked near Albatross Rock at Cape Point in 1880. Wrecks often serve as hosts for a variety of sea creatures.
The talk forms part of the SmallTalX series of public talks at the Franschhoek Theatre. It will be followed by a question-and-answer session, wine and snacks. Wordsworth Books will have a stall at the event, offering marine biology-related books for sale.
Speakers at future talks include ancient historian Dr Ursula Westwood, who will talk about propaganda in Ancient Rome, and geologist Nick Norman, who will discuss the impact of plate tectonics on fossil distribution.
- The talk takes place at the Franschhoek Theatre at 18:30. Tickets are R250 per person, including wine and snacks at www.franschhoektheatre.co.za. Send an email to smalltalx.info@gmail.com or a WhatsApp message to 076 469 6485 for further details.
