‘By Die Soutwater’ Doccie Makes a Splash

Photo Credit: Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation via Facebook

A short documentary spotlighting the (often unsung) efforts marine heroes undertake to rescue animals like seals from plastic trouble is making a splash internationally. ‘By Die Soutwater’ has been selected as a finalist at an international film festival!

Cape Town, South Africa (01 April 2025) — Last year, a short, but powerful documentary dubbed ‘By Die Soutwater’ got people talking about the V&A Waterfront’s Marina and not because of the views.

The doccie (by Marguerite Venter along with the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation) spotlights the unsung marine heroes in their efforts to rescue animals like seals from distress and danger at the marina. What could be causing the animals such trouble at the seemingly quaint marina? Plastic for one. And the ocean is in no shortage of it.

The Marine Wildlife Management Programme team are the ones on call when a Cape fur seal gets entangled in a not-so-pretty plastic ‘necklace’. In truth, these ‘necklaces’ are more like nooses to the seals that lead to agony and even fatal consequences when the materials responsible for said entanglement cut into their skin and cause terrible wounds.

While the picture might seem bleak, it would be much bleaker if it weren’t for the marine heroes who respond rapidly. Beyond seals, the team serve a wide variety of marine creatures (from sunfish to seabirds); each of whom has its own bone to pick with urbanisation.

The documentary takes a look at the Marine Wildlife Management Programme’s efforts to protect marine life, urging us to consider how we can all do better in the spaces where the natural world and the human world intersect.

The good news is that doccies like ‘By die Soutwater’ are igniting conversations about positive change. And in very good news, the conversation is set to pick up even more because the doc has been chosen as a finalist at the International Tourism Film Festival Africa!

According to the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, ‘By die Soutwater’ was chosen out of 442 entries from 59 countries under the Wildlife & Conservation category—a huge deal.

You can catch the doccie on Showmax. And, as for what to do should you spot an entangled seal, make sure to call the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation on (021) 418 3823.