Algoa Bay features in BBC Perfect Planet Series

A Perfect Planet, a five-part earth science series, presented by Sir David Attenborough made its debut on January 3. The spectacular series is a fusion of natural history and Earth science that seeks to explain how planet Earth operates.

Filming took place over a four-year period – the first four episodes focuses on volcanoes, sunlight, weather and oceans. The series finale looks at the impact humans have had on nature and how the damage we have done can be reversed to restore nature’s balance.

‘Oceans, sunlight, weather and volcanoes – together these powerful yet fragile forces allow life to flourish in astonishing diversity,’ said Sir David.

‘They make Earth truly unique – a perfect planet. Our planet is one in a billion, a world teeming with life. But now, a new dominant force is changing the face of Earth: humans. To preserve our perfect planet we must ensure we become a force for good.’

Parts of Episode 4, ‘Oceans’, were shot in Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape in 2018. Eco-tour agency, Raggy Charters, headed by Lloyd Edwards, facilitated the filming.

Edwards said Raggy Charters has worked with several television crews over the years but none come close to the BBC.

‘The BBC treats you with the utmost respect and they respect the animals,’ said Edwards. ‘They don’t go for the cheap shots.’

Edwards and crew spent 20 days at sea with the documentary-makers and managed to track down long-beaked common dolphins and bait balls on 18 days, a remarkable success rate, which is unbelievable according to Edwards.

‘A male killer whales breaks the surface in front of Winkle. There were another five orcas in the pod. The camera operator Howard can be seen controlling the camera just behind the cabin. He is looking into a shaded box that contains the monitor. The skipper is Jamie Edwards,’ – Raggy Charters.

‘That’s absolutely unheard of. You speak to anybody that films sardine run stuff and they’ll never get that kind of hit rate,’ he said.

Edwards jokingly attributed their success to luck but also added that it was down to the agency’s fantastic equipment and the wealth of experience they’ve accumulated over the years – Raggy Charters has been operating in Algoa Bay’s waters since 1997.

The gruelling shoot was hard on their bodies, ‘we’re out on the water as the sun’s coming up and we only get back when the sun’s down’, added Edwards, but it resulted in a number of firsts for the crew. They spotted schools of killer and false whales, respectively, on consecutive days.

Their first ever sighting of false killer whales about five nautical miles off Cape Recife.

‘Another highlight was seeing a school of around 10,000 common dolphins chasing baitfish, our biggest to date. One of the bait balls had 12 Bryde’s whales chasing fish in front of the common dolphins… really crazy stuff,’ said Edwards.

Algoa Bay is one of the largest bays in Africa and is rich in marine and birdlife. Notable islands within its warm Indian Ocean waters include the St Croix Island, which is the largest, as well as Bird, Seal and Stag Islands.

So, why do researchers, filmmakers and tourists flock to the bay?

‘Upwelling,’ said Edwards. Upwelling is when the nutrient-rich water rises from deep and ‘fertilise’ surface waters, which results in high biological productivity.

This phenomenon occurs in two localities in Algoa Bay, according to Edwards.

Upwelling provides food for the baitfish that consume plankton, such as anchovy, sardines, mackerel and the baitfish, in turn, provide food for predators.

‘That’s what attracts the penguins, the common dolphin and the Beluga whale, the fish-eating whale that remains in the Bay all year round,’ said Edwards.

Algoa Bay’s current structure means the area is a rich food source for extended periods and that’s why the bay is regularly frequented by tourists and television crews.

Prior to the lockdown, 95% of Raggy Charters’ clients were international tourists but since they resumed operations in lockdown Level 4, they changed their strategy and locals have taken to the service.

‘We’ve now turned around to 95% local,’ said Edwards. South Africans receive a substantial discount – up to 45% – and have kept the business alive.

‘It’s quite tricky because we’re doing these big turnovers but we’re not making any money but at least we’re managing to pay our staff,’ added Edwards.

Raggy Charters has four full-time employees and three boats in its fleet. The 8.6-metre Buttcat catamaran named Winkle was the preferred vessel when the BBC filmed in 2018.

Edwards said that they have filmed a lot of underwater footage so far but still have to finish the second part, which is the topside footage.

‘We’ll very excited about putting that whole one together in April,’ said Edwards. April is the best time to film as the sea is calm and the water is teeming with baitfish.

‘We had perfect conditions for most of the shoot. April generally has the calmest sea conditions of the year. Since then we have added hull extensions to Winkle which gives us a bigger working area. The outboards have been upgraded to 150hp.’

Given the lengthy production turnaround time, it could be quite a while before details about the next documentary will be divulged publicly.

As for the current series, ‘I can’t even watch the thing,’ said Edwards who hasn’t owned a television since 1995. ‘They’ll send me the video soon and I’ll watch it.’

‘The team on the first day of filming. The camera cost three times more than our boat and needed around the clock security monitoring!’ Pictured (from left to right): Howard (BBC Cameraman), Lloyd (owner), Jamie (Skipper) and Raz (BBC Producer)

Raggy Charters holds the BBC and their work in the highest regard, and evidently, the feeling is mutual, the upcoming documentary is a testament to this.

When the film crew touches down later this year, Edwards said he’ll have a lekker South African curry waiting for them.

‘Oceans’ is expected to air in the UK television on January 24, 2021, but is streaming on iPlayer right now, sadly, this is only available to British residents.

The series is expected to debut in South Africa on DStv channel BBC Earth on Sunday, February 14.

Picture/s: Lloyd Edwards/Raggy Charters & Jean Tresfon

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