Management of Estuaries in South Africa
Short Learning Course
Zinkwazi Lagoon Lodge, KwaZulu-Natal
2 - 4 December 2014
Zinkwazi Estuary (Photo: Mark Burgess)
Time
Topic
DAY 1 – Tuesday, 2 December 2014
10:00 – 10:30
Registration & tea/coffee on arrival
Welcome & housekeeping (including handouts)
10:30 – 11:45
The value, structure and function of estuaries (incl. group discussions)
11:45 – 13:00
Activities threatening estuaries (incl. group discussions)
13:00 – 14:00
Lunch
14:00 – 15:30
Legislation and estuaries (incl. group discussions)
15: 30 – 16:00
Tea
16:00 - 16:30
Case study – Thukela River mouth
Completion of group assignments
DAY 2 – Wednesday, 3 December 2014
8:30 – 10:30
Governance and management: National Estuary Management Protocol
10:30 – 11:00
Tea
11:00 – 13:00
Introduction to management tools: Estuary Management Plans
Monitoring techniques (brief theory)
12:30 – 13:30
Lunch
13:30 – 17:00
Monitoring techniques (field work) – Thukela River mouth
18:00 -
Social (braai)
DAY 3 – Thursday, 4 December 2014
8:30 – 10:30
Monitoring techniques
10:30 – 11:00
Tea
11:00 – 13:00
Evaluation and Reporting
12:30 – 13:30
Lunch
13:30 –
Completion of assignments, course evaluation & closure
SCOPE
There are approximately 300 estuaries along South Africa’s coastline and many have become focal
points for development in the coastal zone. Issues such as the increased abstraction and pollution
of fresh water in river catchments, an increase in the number of holiday and residential homes and
growing industrial zones all contribute to the pressure being placed on estuaries. As the intensity
of resource utilisation increases the need to promote the equitable, efficient and sustainable use
of estuary-associated goods and services increases.
Managing estuaries involves an understanding of how estuaries function, the goods and
services that they provide and activities that threatens them. The sustainable use of these
dynamic systems can only be achieved through sound governance and management practices. The
Management of Estuaries in South Africa course aims to introduce participants to useful
management tools and was designed in response to a need to manage the estuarine environment
effectively, considering issues such as managing freshwater resources and the integrity of
estuaries and their functionality. The course details the development of an Estuary Management
Plan as required by the Integrated Coastal Management Act.
TARGET PARTICIPANTS
The course will be held at Zinkwazi Lagoon Lodge, KwaZulu-Natal, and will cater for estuary
managers in the area as well as others interested in the details of Estuary Management Plans
(EMP’s) and monitoring techniques.
COURSE CONTENT
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Value, structure and function of estuaries
Threats to estuaries
The ecological reserve and determining the freshwater requirements of estuaries
Legislation and estuaries
Investigating the details of an Estuary Management Plan
Field trip to Thukela River mouth; estuary sampling and monitoring approaches
The course is run as a Short Learning Programme at the NMMU and is fully accredited. Participants
who successfully complete the three day course are issued with official NMMU certificates. NB –
The registration deadline is 21 November 2014. Participants trying to register after this date will
not receive an NMMU course certificate.
For enquiries and registration please contact:
Gavin Snow;
E-mail:
gavin.snow@nmmu.ac.za
Cellphone:
084-603-5548
REGISTRATION FORM
NB – WORKSHOP LIMITED TO THE FIRST 40 APPLICANTS
Title
Name
Surname
Race (for statistical reporting)
Gender (for statistical reporting)
Identity number*
Postal address (where certificate will be
posted to)
Telephone number
Cellular phone number
E-mail address
Name of place of employment
Position
Dietary requirements
Participation in Days 1, 2 & 3 (course
certificate)
Yes / No
If attending one day only (attendance
certificate), which day?
Day 1 / Day 2 / Day 3
* Please remember to attach copy of identity document / drivers licence / passport.
IMPORTANT
Please make your own transport and accommodation arrangements. There
will be limited accommodation available at Zinkwazi Lagoon Lodge
(www.zinkwazilagoonlodge.co.za; 032-485-3344) and the nearby Ocean Reef
Hotel (www.oceanreef.co.za; 032-485-3776).