The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has admitted 15 new natural sites to the IUCN Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas – the first global standard recognising best practice in protected areas. Sites in Egypt, France, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Mexico, Peru and the United Arab Emirates received the certification today at the ongoing UN Biodiversity … [Read more...]
Reducing beach pollution with lolly stick bins
A new retrieval project aims to reduce the amount of plastic waste found on South Africa's beaches. According to John Kieser, Sustainability Manager at Plastics|SA, plastic sticks such as those typically used for earbuds, sucker/lollypops and straws, continue to be one of the biggest pollutants on our country's urban beaches. “We’ve had great success with removing … [Read more...]
Proposed offshore KZN oil drilling strongly opposed
These are many of the reasons ONO objects to how the EIA process has been handled for the Sasol / ENI proposed exploration for 2019 off the KZN coastline. This letter serves to lodge an objection to the proposed exploration for the reasons listed below. It also serves to highlight numerous contentious issues with this DEIAR process. Our primary concern is that there is clear … [Read more...]
Youth highlight the plight of our oceans
The recent expedition of WILDOCEANS and its partners into the Comoros, made possible by CEPF (Critical Ecosystems Partnership Fund), saw the first visual mesophotic surveys conducted in the deeper habitats (the depth between 40m and 200m) of their waters. These surveys made use of ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) and Stereo BRUV (Baited Remote Underwater Video), equipment … [Read more...]
Volunteers help free Robben Island from waste burden
One of South Africa’s most famous landmarks, Robben Island, was freed from some of its waste burden as more than 100 volunteers, guided by the national PET Recycling Company (PETCO) and Plastics SA, embarked on the island’s biggest ever waste collection drive. The tourist attraction and World Heritage Site, which draws over 300 000 visitors annually, is plagued by visitor … [Read more...]
Living in a plastic age
Human history is often described by the technology and materials that were used during a particular period – such as the Stone Age, Iron Age and the Bronze Age. Some would argue that we are now living through a new period – the Plastic Age. How did this come about and what are the implications for us and the environment? Where do plastics come from? Plastic is a manmade … [Read more...]
Petition calls for an end to single-use plastics
Plastic Pollution Coalition is a growing global alliance of individuals, organizations, businesses, and policymakers working toward a world free of plastic pollution and its toxic impacts on humans, animals, waterways and oceans, and the environment. Please sign their petition to appeal for the banning of single use plastic due to its impact on the environment. The … [Read more...]
Expanding our marine conservation impact into the Comoros
September 2018 will see the start of an exciting project funded by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) into the Comoros Archipelago. The Comoros coral reefs are an unrivalled marine paradise, with the highest concentration of coral marine species within a small area, in the world. Comoros offers one of the world’s largest coral atolls which parades hundreds of fish … [Read more...]
Shining a light on South Africa’s Marine Protected Areas
The youth shone a light on the importance of Marine Protected Areas with an evening of original poetry, inspiration and a spotlight performance at the WILDOCEANS Ocean Stewards’ Dinner on the Dock event held at Trawlers Wharf, Durban earlier this week, launching a week of mentorship and career guidance. With the launch of the annual four-day WILDOCEANS Ocean Stewards’ … [Read more...]
South Africans unite for a clean environment
Thousands of South Africans rolled up their sleeves, put on their rubber gloves and took to the beaches on Saturday, 15 September 2018 as part of the first World Clean-up Day - the largest peacetime civic action in human history. Stretching across 24 different time zones, involving 144 countries and more than 13 million volunteers worldwide, World Clean-up Day started in … [Read more...]
South Africa: home to the world’s most endangered seahorse
The Knysna seahorse is only found in a small section of South Africa and is one of only two seahorse species in the world currently listed as endangered. Locals need to act quickly to save the remaining specimens. Many divers, particularly photographers, have a bucket list of all the species they want to see before age catches up with them and diving is no longer an option. … [Read more...]
Plastics industry encourages role players to strive for zero pellet loss
The South African plastics industry has reiterated its commitment to keep our water sources free of plastic pollution. Plastics|SA’s Executive Director, Anton Hanekom, said reducing the amount of plastics that make their way into streams, rivers and the ocean is one of the biggest focus areas for the plastics industry worldwide today. Plastics|SA was one of the first … [Read more...]
Seismic surveying of the ocean floor poses serious risk to whales
Whale populations around the world have been spouting their thanks to the dedication of conservationists who brought them back from the brink of extinction. The International Whaling Commission (IWC) have recognized that through the deployment of the Revised Management Procedure (RMP), some whale populations have actually begun the process of recovery. This new found … [Read more...]
