The International Union for Conservation of Nature recently released an updated Red List of Threatened Species. The Red List has become the gold standard for measuring species population stability, and it is the world's most comprehensive data source on the extinction risk of species categorising (as either extinct, extinct in the wild, critically endangered, endangered, … [Read more...]
Innovation for a sustainable ocean
Today (June 8) is celebrated as World Oceans Day across the world to remind the people about the importance of the role played by oceans in the lives of human beings. The day is celebrated by United Nations to highlight the role of the oceans in everyday life and inspires action to protect the ocean and sustainably use marine resources. When we think of public health … [Read more...]
2020 SANCOR awards call for nominations
Every three years the South African Network for Coastal and Oceanic Research (SANCOR) awards excellent performers in science in the marine and coastal environment. Nominations are hereby invited for these prestigious awards in the following categories: The Marine and Coastal Communicator Awards are made to individuals or groups of individuals in recognition of their … [Read more...]
What health risks do microplastics pose to the human body?
The Plastic Health Summit brings scientists, influencers and industry from all over the world together and presents the preliminary results of ground-breaking research by ZonMw. The Plastic Health Summit will be held on October 3rd in Theater Amsterdam. Attendees of this international conference will be the first to hear the initial results of three Dutch studies which map … [Read more...]
Help take care of nature’s gifts this Earth Day
Earth Day is a global event each year, and we believe that more than 1 billion people in 192 countries now take part in what is the largest civic-focused day of action in the world. Nature’s gifts to our planet are the millions of species that we know and love, and many more that remain to be discovered. Unfortunately, human beings have irrevocably upset the balance of … [Read more...]
Marine protection expansion project moves towards 10% coverage
On World Oceans Day on the 8th of June 2018, a coalition of organisations including WILDOCEANS (a programme of the WILDTRUST), Ocean Unite, WWF South Africa, Centre for Environmental Rights and the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR), united to advance the protection of the oceans around South Africa within Marine Protected Areas (MPA’s) and … [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...]
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...]
Urgent conservation action required to protect the Heuningnes Redfin
The Heuningnes River System is located on the southern tip of Africa, stretching from the Agulhas Plain onto the Overberg Wheatbelt. The river system comprises three main rivers: the Kars, Nuwejaars and Heuningnes. The river system includes numerous Critically Endangered terrestrial ecosystems such as Overberg Sandstone Fynbos, Elim Ferricrete Fynbos as well as Western and … [Read more...]
Threatened fish will find sanctuary in new marine reserve
South Africa’s Marine Protected Area (MPA) footprint is currently sitting at 0.4% compared to a global average of 11%. “0.4% is simply not enough, and so we’re excited about the announcement of 5% expansion of our marine protected areas, following the commitments made by the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA),” said Dr Jean Harris of WILDOCEANS. “We recently launched … [Read more...]
Insist the DEA challenges seismic surveying of our coastline
In South Africa, an environmental impact assessment (EIA) for oil and petroleum exploration activities is no longer mandatory because Section 39 of the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act has been withdrawn. This effectively means the oil and gas industry polices and monitors itself. Petroleum Geo-Services (PGS) is applying for a reconnaissance permit for an … [Read more...]
Oceans facts and futures: valuing South Africa’s ocean economy
Conservation of marine ecosystems is the foundation of ensuring that our oceans are able to produce goods and services which we rely on. It should hence not be seen as separate from human survival and development. In South Africa, coastal goods and services alone are estimated to contribute over a third – 35% – to our gross domestic product (GDP). As a country with … [Read more...]
