Our Crew

OUR TEAM

Jared Harding
Programme Manager & Marketer

Jared Harding occupies the pivotal position of Manager within our organization, ensuring the seamless execution of our projects. He primarily lends his expertise to marketing initiatives and budget control, playing a vital role in maintaining the program’s efficiency and fiscal responsibility. Additionally, Jared takes personal responsibility for your safe arrival in Plettenberg Bay, providing invaluable assistance with travel, transfers, and logistical arrangements.

Jared brings a wealth of experience to our team, particularly in the realms of seabird conservation and rehabilitation. His passion for the marine environment extends to his qualifications as an avid diver and a certified marine guide. Notably, Jared received National Colours in scouting, attesting to his commitment to excellence. His dedication to environmental stewardship led him to spend an impressive 13 months on the remote sub-Antarctic Marion Island, where he collected essential data on seabirds for the Department of Environmental Affairs.

In his role, Jared adeptly manages all aspects of volunteer travel, ensuring your journey to and from our projects is as smooth and convenient as possible.

Melissa Nel, our dedicated Researcher & Coordinator, serves as the driving force behind our research initiatives at ORCA. She currently leads our research efforts focusing on sharks in the pristine waters of Plettenberg Bay while actively pursuing the completion of her Master’s degree in marine science. Melissa plays a crucial role in fostering collaboration with fellow researchers and like-minded organizations in Plettenberg Bay, striving to enhance the overall quality of our research, conservation, and educational programs.

Melissa’s responsibilities encompass the comprehensive management of operations related to research, conservation, and education. Her unwavering passion for the ocean fuels her commitment to protecting this vital aspect of nature. Her extensive background includes volunteering with the Namibian Dolphin Project, sailing aboard the SA Agulhas II to Antarctica for oceanographic data collection, and serving as a marine mammal observer in Tanzania. One of Melissa’s career highlights is her work in turtle rehabilitation at the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town, where she developed a profound affection for these magnificent creatures adversely affected by humanity’s negligence in plastic pollution. Melissa is also permitted to attend to marine strandings on behalf of the Southern Cape Marine Animal Stranding Network. In her leisure time, she immerses herself in surfing, bodyboarding, and free-diving, truly embodying the spirit of a water enthusiast. 

Chantel’s passion for research led her to pursue both Master’s and Doctoral degrees at Rhodes University, specializing in stingray dietary and movement ecology. Her formidable research background is underscored by numerous peer-reviewed scientific publications and active participation in local and international conferences. Beyond academia, Chantel has honed her skills in conservation, serving as a scientist for an NGO in the Philippines. Her role involved surveying coral reef biota to provide biologically relevant recommendations for the establishment of Marine Protected Areas.

A staunch advocate for education and outreach, Chantel has ardently shared her oceanic knowledge and passion with the public on various platforms. Her dedication to advancing marine science and conservation remains unwavering.

Kade’s commitment revolves around the conservation of the ocean and its surrounding environment. He recently initiated his own rocky shores zonation project, enriching his understanding of the intricate ecosystems in which we operate. Additionally, Kade has contributed his expertise to the tourism sector, serving as a part-time tour guide for Ocean Blue Adventures.

Kade’s love for the ocean runs deep, and he’s always been a water enthusiast, spending much of his spare time in or near the ocean. Hailing from Wedge, he even boasts an impressive achievement of winning a South African championship in his division of bodyboarding, attesting to his strong connection to the water.

Julene completed her undergraduate degree in Nature Conservation at Nelson Mandela University in George and conducted her practical year with Nature’s Valley Trust in Plettenberg Bay. Since then, she has been an integral part of numerous research and monitoring projects, including sea animal rescue and rehabilitation, bay management, environmental education, and tourism, collaborating with esteemed organizations such as CapeNature, ORCA Foundation, NVT, SANParks, and The Rockhopper Fund.

In her free time, Julene enjoys hiking, trail running, snorkeling, scuba diving, and capturing the wonders of nature through her camera lens. Her future aspirations include furthering her studies with a focus on marine conservation and research, with the goal of preserving the integrity of the marine world and sharing her boundless passion with others.