P E O P L E A N D T H E C O A S T : E D U C AT I O N A N D R E S E A R C H
Ichthyology – The Study of Fishes 2E
I
chthyology is the branch of zoology that deals
the museums in the Eastern Cape Province. In 1938 a
with the study of fishes. There are over 2 200
strange 3-m long fish was caught by an Irving & Johnson
species of marine fishes that are known to occur off
the shores of South Africa as well as about 220
species of freshwater fishes. Fishes are an integral
trawler and saved for science by Miss Courtenay-Latimer of
the East London Museum. It was sent to J.L.B. Smith, who
identified it as a coelacanth – a group of ancient fishes, known
only from fossils, dating back 350 million years and thought
part of all aquatic ecosystems and an important
to have been extinct for 70 million years. The coelacanth is of
source of revenue and sustenance for the country.
great interest because scientists believe that the first vertebrates
Early research concentrated on identifying and
to live on land were creatures rather like coelacanths that could
describing the fishes but this soon led to studies of
their morphology and physiology, their behaviour
and ecology and more recently to the harvesting,
use their stout lobefins for walking. This discovery focused
the attention of world ichthyologists on South Africa and the
coelacanth. Subsequently it was found off the Comores. In
November 2000 live coelacanths were photographed by divers
management and conservation of fish and their
at 107 m depths, 5 km north of Sodwana in the St Lucia
environment.
Marine Protected Area.
The J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology
Early History – Gilchrist and Barnard
A few people stand out in the early development of ichthyology
in this country. John D. Gilchrist is regarded as the father of
South African ichthyology. Working as Professor of Zoology at
the University of Cape Town, he was the first to recognise the
unique position of the Cape, the fishing potential and the wealth
of species awaiting discovery. He started the government’s
Department of Sea Fisheries, was it’s first director and
organised ships to collect a wide range of fishes. He published
numerous papers, pioneered work on egg and larval develop-
In 1945 J.L.B. Smith published the first edition of The Sea
Fishes of Southern Africa which contributed considerably to
world ichthyology. In 1968 the J.L.B. Smith Institute of
Ichthyology was established to honour the founder of Rhodes
University’s Department of Ichthyology and to continue his work.
His widow, Professor Margaret Smith, was the first director of
the Institute. The J.L.B. Smith Institute and the South African
Museum house world-famous collections of marine fishes
from the Atlantic, Indo-Pacific and Antarctic Oceans as well
as freshwater fishes from Africa and adjacent islands.
ment of fishes and established collections in the South African
Fish research has expanded to include evolutionary biology,
Museum at Cape Town.
fisheries science, fish ecology, conservation and aquaculture.
K. H. Barnard was another prolific zoologist who in 1925 and
1927 published two volumes on The Marine Fishes of South
Africa and revised the taxonomy of the fresh water fishes of
the south western Cape.
In 1986 a team of international scientists under Margaret
Smith and Philip Heemstra completed a revision of Smith’s
Sea Fishes, an invaluable tome for all ichthyologists.
The present Director, Paul Skelton, published A complete
Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Southern Africa in 1993.
The Discovery of the Coelacanth – J.L.B. Smith
J.L.B. Smith, an avid angler, developed a tremendous interest
in fishes and became the ‘honorary curator of fishes’ for all
tail with characteristic
middle fin
Angling: tag-and-release programmes
Many fishes endemic to the coast of South Africa have become
The coelacanth
lobe fins
endangered due to over-fishing. A lot of research is focused
boats with food and thus increase the danger of attacks.
on population dynamics, recording catches and developing
control measures such as bag limits and closed seasons. The
Fisheries – wealth from the sea
Oceanographic Research Institute in Durban works together
The commercial fishing industry in South Africa is worth
with anglers (about 3600 members) who catch, measure, tag
approximately R1.7 billion. For many years research has
and release fish. In this way recaptures, although infrequent,
focused on the understanding and management of these
provide valuable information about the movements and growth
stocks. The challenge now is to harvest the fish sustainably,
of fish. Excellent results have been obtained from a long term
while broadening access to previously disadvantaged fishers
research programme in the De Hoop Marine Reserve where
and winning the co-operation of all stakeholders. This type of
scientists have been able to demonstrate a dramatic increase
research involves applied mathematical modelling that takes
in the size and numbers of galjoen within the reserve. They
into account all the variables of population dynamics, growth
also showed how fish from the reserve moved out to stock
rates and environmental aspects to predict suitable quotas
exploited areas adjacent to the reserve.
for fishing and is largely done by specialist scientists at the
Marine and Coastal Management branch of the Department
Shark research
of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. Sound management
Shark research in South Africa really started at the Oceano-
skills and laws are needed to implement the fisheries policy.
graphic Research Institute in the 1950s with pioneering work
conducted by Dr David Davies. Then in response to the many
Research on freshwater fish
shark attacks, which crippled Natal’s tourist industry, the Natal
In the Western Cape, research is focused on the many
Sharks Board was opened in 1964 with the task of providing
endangered freshwater fish, which are affected by pollution,
protection for bathers. Shark nets, or large-mesh gill nets, have
habitat degradation and the introduction of alien fish such as
been installed at many of KwaZulu-Natal’s popular
trout and bass. In areas where
bathing beaches. A great deal has been learnt
rivers seasonally dry
about sharks from these
out, the survival and
captures but the
adaptations of fish
huge impact of
such as the resource-
catching
ful catfish, the lungfish
thousands of top predators,
including dolphins, must affect the ecological balance. Alternative methods of
providing protection for bathers without
killing sharks, are
Great white
shark
is protected
by law
being investigated.
or the
killifish that lays drought-resistant eggs, have been
studied. The ecology, traditional fishing methods and management of the Okavanga swamps, Lake St Lucia, Kosi Bay,
Lake Sibaya and the Zambezi River have also been studied.
Shark researchers at the South African Museum, concerned
The cichlid fish in the lakes of East Africa and Malawi have
about the impacts of trophy fishing for sharks, motivated for
been the focus of long-term research, as they are remarkably
their protection and, as a result, South Africa was the first
diverse and are of economic importance both for food and as
country to pass laws protecting the great white shark.
aquarium specimens. The habitats of freshwater fishes are
Recently, boat-based shark-watching and
particularly vulnerable in this dry continent, especially when
cage-diving have become popular, but there are concerns (at
rivers are dammed and water diverted from one catchment
present unproven) that operators who attract the sharks with
system to another. Pollution is also an ever-present threat
blood and bait (chuming) are teaching the sharks to associate
requiring continuous monitoring and research efforts of our
FURTHER INFORMATION:
• Oceanographic Research Institute, P O Box 10712, Marine Parade 4056. Tel. (031) 337 3536
• Skelton, P. 1993. Freshwater fishes. Southern Book Publishers, Halfway House, S Africa
• Smith, M.M. & Heemstra P.C. 1986. Smiths’ Sea Fishes. Macmillan South Africa, Johannesburg
• South African Museum, P O Box 61, Cape Town 8000, Tel (021) 243 330 • J. L. B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown
RELATED FACTSHEETS:
• Fishing Industry • Recreational Angling in South Africa • Traditional Fishing Methods • Coelacanth • Eels • Pelagic Fishery
• Reef Fisheries in KwaZulu-Natal • Sharks • St Lucia • Kosi Bay • Fishing Industry
For more information, please contact: The Coastal Management Office, Marine and Coastal Management, Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Private Bag X2,
Roggebaai 8012, Cape Town, South Africa. Tel: +27 (0)21 402-3208 Fax: +27 (0)21 418-2582 e-mail: czm@mcm.wcape.gov.za Website: http://sacoast.wcape.gov.za
P E O P L E A N D T H E C O A S T : E D U C AT I O N A N D R E S E A R C H
National Marine Week 2E
N
ational Marine Week is an annual event
that aims to increase public awareness of
South Africa’s marine environment. It is the one
Adults can get involved too!
Although children tend to be the focus of National Marine
Week, this special week on the calendar is not exclusively for
week in the year when South Africans from all
the enjoyment or education of children. Adults too can take
around the country have an opportunity to learn
advantage of National Marine Week and, in the past, many
about the benefits that our coast and oceans and
diving and fishing clubs have organised special events or
their bountiful resources bring to our nation.
excursions to celebrate the week. For instance, a dive club in
Cape Town enlisted their members’ help to clean up the
polluted waters of a local harbour during National Marine Week,
while a library in a coastal town organised a display of books
National Marine Week is organised by the Marine and Coastal
and videos on the sea. Some people even invite their friends
Management branch of the national Department of Environ-
to enjoy a seafood meal with them to celebrate National
mental Affairs and Tourism. Each year the event focuses on
Marine Week.
a specific theme and a poster and information booklet, which
elucidate the theme, are distributed free of charge to schools,
But what if we don’t live at the sea?
libraries, clubs and interested individuals around the country.
Children who live in Nelspruit and Lydenburg, in Mpumalanga,
National Marine Week usually takes place in the third week of
live a long way from the sea. Many have never seen the sea,
October.
but they know that all rivers find their way to the sea and, by
Every National Marine Week has a theme
Over the past ten years National Marine Week themes have
explored different aspects of the marine environment. For
instance, in 1993 the theme Where the Shimmering
Fishes Play described the pelagic environment or the
upper levels of the ocean where shoaling fishes such
as pilchards, anchovies, herrings and tunas abound. In
1995 National Marine Day celebrated the centenary
of marine science in South Africa and in the following
years the themes tended to focus on people and
their relationship with the sea. For instance, the
1996 theme, Ecotourism and the Sea, explored
the ways in which ecotourism can benefit
coastal communities. The 1999 theme, Fish for
the Future, described South Africa’s new fishing
regulations and the way that it impacts on
fishers and coastal communities. The theme
for 2000 was Our Coast for Life and showed
how coastal resources can provide South
Africans with a rich source of social and
economic wealth. Sustaining these bene fits depends on maintaining diverse,
healthy and productive coastal and
marine environments.
looking after rivers and green belts, they can help to reduce
4. Organise an exhibition with a coastal or marine theme at a
pollution in the marine environment. This is why, every year,
local shopping centre, museum, community hall or library,
school children in Mpumalanga get together on National Marine
using art, stamps, sea shells, movies and music.
Week to help clean up the rivers and wetlands near their
homes, knowing their actions will positively impact on our
shores.
5. Arrange a water sport competition. Sporting activities that
are environmentally friendly and don’t depend on fuel, such
as swimming, surfing or canoeing, are best.
Getting involved
Author: Claire Attwood December 2000
Anyone can take part in National Marine Week. In fact, the
more people who celebrate the week, the more chance there
is that people around the country will learn something about
Other annual green events
our coast and oceans and the reasons why it is important to
• International Beach Clean-up Day is during the third
look after this environment. If you would like to get involved,
week in September. People clean beaches around the
follow these easy steps:
world on this day and record all the types of litter collected.
1. Ask the organisers, Marine and Coastal Management, to
For more details contact Marine and Coastal Management,
send you details of Marine Week activities and posters and
Private Bag X2, Roggebaai 8012, Cape Town.
information booklets so that you can distribute them within
Tel (021) 4023208, Fax: (021) 4182582.
your family, school or community, (address below).
2. Find out if your school, local museum, conservation
• Arbor Day is an international tree planting day. Trees,
forests, rivers and water are the focus on this day of the
society, library or aquarium will be organising National
year. In South Africa Arbor Day is organised by the national
Marine Week celebrations.
Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, Private Bag X313,
Pretoria 0001 Tel: (012) 336-7500 Fax: (012) 326-2715 ,
3. Watch the press for information.
Here are some ideas
Here are some ideas to help you plan your own Marine Week
celebration.
Internet site: www-dwaf.pwv.gov.za
• The natural and human environment is the focus of World
Environment Week, which is usually celebrated in June.
• World Wetland Day focuses on wetlands and their role in
1. Arrange a river or beach clean-up and ask people in your
school, community or town to take part.
2. Arrange a drawing, photographic or painting competition
with a coastal or marine theme.
3. Ask a speaker who has some knowledge of the coast or
sea to give a talk, slide show or presentation to your
supplying clean water to South Africans.
• World Meteorological Day focuses on the weather and
its impact on humans.
For more information about these three days contact the
Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Private Bag
X447, Pretoria 0001 Tel: (012) 310-3911 Fax: (012) 322-2476.
school, club or association.
FURTHER INFORMATION: • Chief Directorate: Marine and Coastal Management
Private Bag X2, Roggebaai 8012 Tel: (021) 402-3025 / 402-3043 / 430-7000 Fax: (021) 425-2920
RELATED FACTSHEETS: • Beach Cleanups • Myths and Legends • Aquariums in South Africa • Marine and Coastal Educators Network (MCEN)
For more information, please contact: The Coastal Management Office, Marine and Coastal Management, Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Private Bag X2,
Roggebaai 8012, Cape Town, South Africa. Tel: +27 (0)21 402-3208 Fax: +27 (0)21 418-2582 e-mail: czm@mcm.wcape.gov.za Website: http://sacoast.wcape.gov.za
P E O P L E A N D T H E C O A S T : E D U C AT I O N A N D R E S E A R C H
SANCOR 2E
T
he South African Network for Coastal and
Oceanic Research (SANCOR) exists to promote
the interests of marine science, engineering and
technology (MSET). The network offers assistance to
tatives, four appointed members nominated by the current
two major investors in SANCOR, i.e. the Department of
Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEA&T), and the National
Research Foundation (NRF), an elected Student representative
and an ex officio secretary. The investors inter alia fund marine
government departments and NGOs in carrying out
and coastal research through SANCOR. This research is
tasks related to the marine and coastal environment.
managed under a joint venture known as the Sea and the
One of the greatest strengths of SANCOR is the
Coast Programme, which incorporates a substantial part of
information contained within the organisation itself
marine and coastal research in South Africa. SANCOR co-
as well as the collective knowledge and wisdom of
its members.
SANCOR Forum
ordinates this research to strive for excellence and to foster
the collaborative spirit that is a strength of South Africa’s
marine and coastal science.
Co-ordinating Groups
SANCOR is involved in many and varied activities including the
Co-ordinating Groups are established for communication,
provision of a forum for interaction, collaboration and communi-
interaction and cooperative planning between scientists,edu-
cation about marine knowledge and management. It is involved
cators and other interested persons in defined topics of
in planning for the future, facilitating research, advising on
research. The following Co-ordinating Groups are in existence:
research priorities and in communicating the results of research.
• Benguela Ecology Advisory Group
It contributes to marine policy development, education and
capacity building. SANCOR advises on the optimal use of
financial, technical and logistic resources and acts as a broker
between researchers and national and international funding
agencies. The Forum meets at least once a year in one of the
coastal centres and welcomes attendance and participation
by all interested persons. At a provincial level, members meet
more regularly and attend to matters of local interest.
• Marine Linefish Research Group
• Marine and Coastal Educators Network (MCEN)
• Mariculture Network (in association with the Mariculture
Society of Southern Africa)
• Eastern Cape Research Association for Marine Researchers
(ECRAM)
• KwaZulu-Natal Marine Resources Research Group (KZN
MRRG)
Membership
SANCOR is currently made up of more than 50 organisations
representing some 400 individuals. There are of four categories
of membership:
• Investors South African organisations and institutions e.g.
support SANCOR’s vision and provide long-term financial
support,
• Consortium for Estuarine Research and Management (CERM)
Task Teams
SANCOR appoints short-term Task Teams to tackle specific
issues. For example, SANCOR was involved in assisting in the
Fisheries Policy Development process, that led to the Marine
Living Resources Act. A Marine Reserves Task Group provided
input to the development of the Coastal Zone Management
• Sponsors South African organisations and institutions e.g.
Policy. SANCOR has also provided advice on review panels
support SANCOR’s vision and provide significant short-term
for project proposals and is involved in extensive educational,
financial support,
capacity-building and outreach activities.
• Institutional members South African organisations and
institutions e.g. universities, technikons, NGOs and museums,
The Sea and the Coast Programme 1
(1996-2000)
which provide expertise and facilities free of charge,
‘The Sea and the Coast’ programme promoted the wise use
• Individual members who pay a modest fee. Students are
of marine and coastal resources through appropriate marine
offered free membership. Foreign membership is
science, engineering and technology. The emphasis on
encouraged subject to approval.
application was intentional and the programme made
SANCOR Steering Committee
meaningful contributions to national or regional economies
through enhancing the information support available for
SANCOR’s activities are guided by the SANCOR Steering
decision-makers in the public and private sectors. For the
Committee, which consists of seven elected Forum represen-
sake of convenience, the programme was developed as four
separate but interacting main thrusts and two associated
well as the economics, social needs, expectations and
thrusts (*) that focussed on
indigenous knowledge relating to these resources.
• Communities and living marine resources
• The coast as a resource
Proposed thrusts
• Offshore living resources and society
• Coastal processes
• Mariculture
• Biodiversity
• Marine biodiversity and conservation*
• Ocean dynamics
• Ocean dynamics and coastal geomorphology*
• Mariculture
The programme ran for 5 years and was very successful but it
• Innovative technologies
identified a number of key needs, for instance the integration
• Resources of the future
of natural and social science and economics.
• Tourism and development
Sea and Coast Programme 2
SANCOR Awards
Recognising the changing needs of the nation a new five-year
programme has been proposed that encompasses both
applied and fundamental research and is characterised by a
problem-solving approach. It is multidisciplinary in nature,
• Gilchrist Memorial Medal is awarded every third year for
distinguished services to marine science in South Africa.
• Derek Krige Medal is awarded every third year for
promoting partnerships between researchers, economists and
valuable technical and logistical support services to marine
social scientists. The programme also assists in redistributing
science in South Africa.
scientific endeavour to areas that traditionally have not
• Communicator of the Year Awards for outstanding
received adequate coverage. It aims to enhance our leadership
contribution to promoting marine conservation through
role in Africa. The provisional total budget contributed by
communication with the general public are awarded annually
DEA&T and the NRF for 2001 stands at R6 million. National
in three categories: professional communicator, scientific
needs were identified and a set of new thrusts are proposed.
communicator and volunteer communicator.
• SANCOR International Student Travel Grant is awarded
National needs
• Development of both human and natural resources
annually to Doctorate students in marine and coastal
science.
by the promotion of human skills, protection of community
rights, poverty alleviation and economic growth, and the
innovative use of natural resources, including non-
Networking
consumptive use such a mariculture, tourism and valueNetworking and communication among the SANCOR
added technology.
• Caring for natural resources to ensure sustainability
by conserving biodiversity and protecting the environment
in order to improve quality of life.
• Wise use and management of resources through the
provision of good information and decision support tools for
policy development and implementation and the reversal of
over-exploitation.
community are carried out by the SANCOR secretariat,
funded by the DEA&T and NRF. The secretariat produces
and distributes the SANCOR newsletter and disseminates
information on an ad hoc basis through a comprehensive
e-mail distribution list, acting as a conduit to many
representatives of the MSET community in South Africa.
SANCOR encourages departments and organizations to use
• Understanding the biological, physical and chemical
processes that influence the abundance of resources, as
this networking service for advice and communication on
marine and coastal issues.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
• SANCOR Steering Committee, SANCOR secretariat: Tel: (021) 402 3172, Fax: (021) 402 3172
• National Research Foundation, PO Box 2600, Pretoria, 0001. Tel: (012) 481 4107, Fax: (012) 481 4005
• http://www.botany.uwc.ac.za/sancor/
RELATED FACTSHEETS: • Marine and Coastal Educators Network • Sensitive Coastal Areas • Mariculture • Sustainable Use of Coastal Resources
• Marine Protected Areas • National Coastal Policy
For more information, please contact: The Coastal Management Office, Marine and Coastal Management, Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Private Bag X2,
Roggebaai 8012, Cape Town, South Africa. Tel: +27 (0)21 402-3208 Fax: +27 (0)21 418-2582 e-mail: czm@mcm.wcape.gov.za Website: http://sacoast.wcape.gov.za
P E O P L E A N D T H E C O A S T : E D U C AT I O N A N D R E S E A R C H
Marine & Coastal Educators’ Network 2E
T
he National Marine and Coastal Educators
Network (MCEN) was formed in 1998 under
the auspices of the South African Network for
Educational resources
The last two decades have seen an increase in resource
material available to educators and learners in the form of
Coastal and Oceanic Research (SANCOR) which is
books, videos, television and resource centres. Scientists have
a national research body. The Educators Network
made strides in marine research and government agencies are
functions as the co-ordinating body for marine
developing extensive awareness programs. Interpretive signs
and coastal education in South Africa. It is an
informal network which aims to: assist marine
and coastal educators in their activities, facilitate
are being erected at places of interest to highlight coastal
features and interesting marine life – examples to date being
posters on whales and oystercatchers. Educational posters
and booklets are also distributed by the Marine and Coastal
collaboration between educators, help co-ordinate
Management branch of the Department of Environmental
national marine and coastal education initiatives
Affairs and Tourism each year. MCEN provides an invaluable
and identify future opportunities for marine and
forum for sharing resources, information and ideas.
coastal education in South Africa. Prior to 1998
and the formation of MCEN, marine and coastal
educators did not formally communicate with each
Workshops and conferences
To date MCEN has held three national conferences attended
by over 30 participants from along our 3 200-km coastline.
other, which led to a lot of duplication and a frag -
Participants included representatives from government
mented approach to marine and coastal education.
departments, provincial bodies, non-government organisations,
private companies, private individuals, a few potential sponsors
and teachers. The conferences are a balance between sharing
information, testing sample lessons and participating in field
Marine and Coastal Education
Education is essential to foster an appreciation and
understanding of the marine and coastal environment, so that
present and future generations will promote and support wise
conservation and management of our coast and the ocean.
The present direction in Outcomes Based Education moves
away from rote learning and towards experiential and skillsbased education. The marine and coastal environment lends
itself to this cross-curricular, practical approach and opens
opportunities for both formal and informal education of children
and adults. Places like aquaria, museums and environmental
centres are geared to provide ‘hands-on’ educational
trips and give participants an opportunity to meet and discuss mutual problems and solutions in a relaxed and creative
atmosphere. Outings to a plastic recycling factory, a harbour,
Mossgas, an oyster farm and aquariums have broadened the
vision of educators. Each conference is held in a different
region: the first was at Glenmore on the KwaZulu-Natal south
coast, the second in Port Elizabeth and the third at Mossel Bay
(in January 2001). It is encouraging to see the progress when
these ideas have been implemented back in the educator’s
own environments and this gives a clear indication of the
value of networking.
Provincial MCEN bodies serve to co-ordinate regional activities
experiences. Many teachers, particularly at the primary level,
and workshops. MCEN is hoping to become more involved in
have little knowledge of the marine world and so enrichment
teacher training. A pilot educator workshop was held in the
courses and workshops for teachers are valuable. Other
Western Cape during July 2000. This Discovery Tour was a
identified needs are for coastal authorities and enforcement
first in South Africa in the marine field and enabled educators
personnel to understand ecosystems and coastal issues so
that they are more motivated and effective. There is also a
need to educate subsistence and recreational users of marine
resources to encourage them to adopt a sense of custodianship over their environment. Training of volunteer workers is
proving to be a worthwhile means of adult education, –
volunteers play an important role at aquaria, museums, bird
rescue centres, tourist destinations, during beach clean-ups
and as honorary rangers.
from around the coast to spend a week together learning more
MCEN members
about the large fishing industries and the varied ecosystems
of the Western Cape. They visited fish factories, De Hoop
Nature Reserve and spent two nights on research ships. This
‘hands-on’ experience has proved to be invaluable to all the
educators.
Members are those who teach others, adults or children,
about the sea or the coast. They may be involved in formal
education at schools, in non-government organisations at
aquariums or in conservation agencies. Some are marine
scientists running awareness programmes, whereas others
Marine awareness events
work for the government or other institutions.
Marine awareness is highlighted by activities during National
Newsletter
Marine Week, which is held in October/November each year.
The annual International Beach Clean-up takes place in the
third week of September. This event has made many aware of
MCEN provides a directory of marine educators and publishes
a bi-annual newsletter.
the problems of pollution, particularly plastics and cans, and
Equipping people with the appropriate information to live in
has encouraged the practise of recycling and re-use of waste.
harmony with nature is a vital task. The importance and
During the 2000 National Marine Week, a poverty relief
fascination of our coast and oceans make the sea an ideal
programme was initiated to provide beach cleaning jobs and
medium for engendering the awareness so urgently needed
education to needy people along the South African coast.
to ensure the future survival of our blue planet.
This project is called ‘Working for the Coast’ and is the
Tertiary Education
national flagship of the CoastCare programme. It currently
provides jobs for 1400 previously unemployed people from
World-class tertiary education in marine sciences is offered at
impoverished coastal communities while they undergo an
several South African universities including Rhodes University,
intensive 6-hour-per-week education, training and develop-
University of Cape Town, University of Port Elizabeth, Natal
ment programme.
University and University of Western Cape and several
technikons. These institutions train marine scientists and
Communicator of the Year Awards
educators for a wide range of future careers.
Awards for the SANCOR Marine and Coastal Communicators
of the Year have also been initiated. These awards recognize
Author: Judy Mann-Lang, and Margo Branch December 2000
individuals for their outstanding contribution to promoting marine
conservation through communication with the general public.
There are three categories of awards:
• professional communicator,
• scientific communicator and
• volunteer communicator.
These awards are made annually during National Marine
Week and candidates can be nominated by contacting the
SANCOR offices.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
• John Kieser, Marine and Coastal Management, P.O. Box 120, Greenpoint, 8051. Tel: (021) 430 7018, Fax: (021) 439 3414, E-mail: Jkieser@sfri.wcape.gov.za
• KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Service, P.O.Box 13053, Cascades, Pietermaritzburg 3200 Tel: (0331) 845 1999.
• Bayworld, P.O.Box 13147, Humewood 6013. Tel: (041) 56 1051, Fax: (041) 56 2175
• JLB Smith Institute of Ichthyology, P Bag 1015, Grahamstown 6140. Tel: (046) 636 1002, Fax: (046) 622 2403.
• Oceanographic Research Institute, SeaWorld Education Centre, P.O.Box 10712, Marine Parade 4056. Tel: (031) 337 3536, Fax: (031) 337 2132
• University of Cape Town, P. Bag, Rondebosch 7700.
RELATED FACTSHEETS:
• National Marine Week • Beach Cleanups • South African Network for Coastal and Oceanic Research (SANCOR) • Aquariums in South Africa
For more information, please contact: The Coastal Management Office, Marine and Coastal Management, Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Private Bag X2,
Roggebaai 8012, Cape Town, South Africa. Tel: +27 (0)21 402-3208 Fax: +27 (0)21 418-2582 e-mail: czm@mcm.wcape.gov.za Website: http://sacoast.wcape.gov.za