Explorer kayaks to save marine life

Dugongs are large marine mammals that live off the East Coast of Africa and Australia.

Pollock, who is staying in Sunninghill while preparing for the next leg of his challenge, has been exploring Africa for 22 years.

He said, “I just love Africa and I love being in the bush and living off the land and the sea.”

He spent 18 years of his time traversing the continent. While helping to build schools and orphanages in Mozambique, he realised that the local fisherman often caught and ate dugongs.

Pollock explained that the animals are thought to be the inspiration for mermaids.

He said, “They are beautiful animals but now there are only about 200 of them left off the coast of Africa. The reason for this being that fisherman from Mozambique often catch them in their nets by mistake but then slaughter them for food. Dugongs mate for life so once their mate is killed they will never mate again. This is another reason for their dwindling population.”

As part of Pollock’s kayak journey he stops at fishing villages to speak to local fishermen about dugongs.

He said, “I speak the language and have a good rapport with the local fishermen so I gain their trust and then try to educate them about why they shouldn’t be killing this beautiful animal. Mozambique gets most of its revenue from eco-tourism so it is in the locals’ best interests to protect the dugong. I am also trying to set up ocean patrol teams which the local fishermen can become part of.”

Pollock explained that his journey can be dangerous at times.

He said, “There was a time when my kayak was capsized by enormous waves. I was alone in shark-infested waters at the mouth of the Limpopo river. I’m on a very raw journey. I’m close to nature, I sleep on the beach or stay with locals and often have to catch fish for my meals.”

Pollock has already completed the first leg of his journey and will resume his challenge in two weeks.