A new Shark Guardian investigation has revealed that fishery observer reports of shark finning and other malpractices on MSC-certified vessels in the Western Central Pacific Ocean have been routinely ignored. A total of 24 incidents of shark finning were identified, all of which took place on MSC certified vessels, 19 of them during MSC trips and sets classified as MSC … [Read more...]
Chris Bertish to relaunch Transpacific Wing Project
Chris Bertish, internationally acclaimed speaker, author, big wave surfer, Guinness SUP World Record holder and conservationist, announces plans to launch the Transpacific Wing Project again in late May early June, the world’s first solo, wing foil, transpacific crossing Channel Islands Harbor Marina. The new expedition will be slated to finish at the end of July, beginning … [Read more...]
Could Cape Town be underwater by 2032?
Imagine Travel in 2032: A world transformed where some of the most fascinating tourism bucket list spots are newly formed desert regions in the Vaal and mysterious attractions in the forgotten undersea cities of Venice and Cape Town, which is now partly in the Atlantic Ocean near Table Mountain Island. And for the most intrepid, adventure-seeking world traveller, extreme … [Read more...]
New whale call discovered off the coast of SA
Scientists have discovered a previously unknown "impulsive sound" – dubbed the “gunshot” by researchers – that has never been recorded before. The study documented 600 whale calls over 11 days at the Vema Seamount in the Atlantic Ocean, 1,000km off the coast of South Africa. The research was conducted during a Greenpeace International expedition to the region and led by the … [Read more...]
Grow a mountain of fruit in your garden
According to UNESCO, the global demand for food will increase by 50% between 2012 and 2050, driven by population growth. Given the uncertain times in which we live, it is highly unlikely agriculture will be able to provide this food. Fertiliser prices have surged and become unaffordable to many farmers. They also predict that we will need 50% more water, in part to provide … [Read more...]
Educational campaign seeks responsible water management
Save Our Schools non-profit organisation (SOSNPO) launched an educational fundraising campaign at the V&A Waterfront, Wishing Well for Communities, in celebration of World Water Day on Tuesday. World Water Day is an annual UN observance day, which seeks to advocate for the responsible management of our water resources. This year, the theme was Groundwater, an invisible … [Read more...]
Using drones for recreational fishing is illegal
The WILDTRUST, along with several other conservation driven entities, fully support the recently published notice of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE) which makes it clear that the use of drones (also known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles – UAVs) for the purposes of recreational fishing, is illegal. The largely negative reaction of the … [Read more...]
Improving water security in the uMkhomazi catchment
When the community members of Nzinga requested assistance with the clearing of alien vegetation to improve access for their livestock for grazing purposes, the Sappi-WWF partnership saw this as a great fit for the work being done in the uMkhomazi catchment to improve water security in the area. As a result, a team of 10 individuals has been identified, appointed, and trained … [Read more...]
Groundwater: protecting SA’s ‘invisible resource’
Groundwater is a critical resource to the world. In fact, it provides almost half of all drinking water worldwide, not to mention about 40% of water for irrigated agriculture and about 1/3 of water required for industry. More than this, it is also crucial in sustaining ecosystems, maintaining the base flow of rivers and even in preventing land subsidence and seawater … [Read more...]
Underground reservoir harvests and stores rainwater
According to the United Nations, with the world’s population expected to top nine billion people by 2050, the world is going to need at least 55% more water. And not just water; clean water. In most people’s minds that would mean building more dams, such as on the Umkomazi River in KZN which at this time is largely untapped. However, worldwide there are very few new large … [Read more...]
Study reveals need for new tap labelling standards
South Africa can significantly improve water and energy efficiency by aligning its tap labelling programme with international standards, according to a new study released ahead of National Water Week, happening from 20 to 26 March 2022. The week aims to raise awareness and call to action renewed value for this scarce resource. In 2018, the National Water and Sanitation … [Read more...]
Protection urgently needed for SA’s water sources
When blood stops flowing, the body dies. Similarly, when water stops flowing, a country “dies”. Everybody knows that water is essential to all forms of life, but not everybody shows respect or pays enough attention to this precious commodity. It is terrible to see the impact a lack of water has on animals, plants and our environment - not to mention on humans. It should be … [Read more...]
Knowledge building workshops for the youth by the youth
The Youth for Marine Protected Areas (Youth4MPAs) are a diverse group of young passionate ocean warriors spread across Africa, who strive to improve ocean protection, both for nature and our people. The Youth4MPAs’ steering committee members recently held two educational workshops at the Mabibi and KwaDapha community resource hubs (established through a partnership between … [Read more...]
