Here is an intelligent look at what lies ahead for SA if we push forward with the plan to frack the ocean near Mossel Bay, by Andreas Wilson-Späth, a freelance writer with a PhD in geochemistry: If you’re a regular reader of this column, you know what I think about fracking: it’s a dangerous, polluting, wasteful, climate changing and altogether unnecessary technology, and … [Read more...]
Humble spud poised to launch world food revolution
In a small army field-hut Dr Arjen de Vos shows off his irrigation machine with pride. Pipes lead out to several acres of muddy field, where only a few stragglers from the autumn harvest of potatoes, salads, carrots and onions are left. The tubes are lined with copper to stop corrosion because – in a move that defies everything we think we know about farming – de Vos is … [Read more...]
Ocean economy to contribute R20 billion by 2019
Government will implement ocean economy projects which are expected to contribute more than R20 billion to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2019. "Going forward, delivery units have been established in the lead departments to drive the implementation of the detailed delivery plans. We will achieve the growth and the jobs we need in the economy," President Jacob Zuma … [Read more...]
Aiming for 70/20 awareness on National Marine Week
"The focus of the world is on the ocean dynamics around South Africa and between us and the Antarctic for several reasons," said Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa at the Cape Town launch of the annual National Marine Week Campaign. During this week the Department aims to create awareness about the marine environment and inter-connectivity of oceans with the rest of … [Read more...]
Register now for marine & coastal educators conference
All those promoting awareness and education of the marine environment are gathering in Gauteng from 11-16 January 2015 to share research, classroom and field activities and be energized with new ideas. Now is the time to book for the 15th Marine and Coastal Educators Network (MCEN) Conference, which brings together formal and informal educators from schools, public … [Read more...]
Ocean science opportunity for South African students
Ocean 180 challenges scientists to share the meaning and relevance of their research with a broader audience and looks to middle school students to help evaluate their efforts. Ocean scientists are invited to submit 3 minute videos highlighting the importance of their research and summarizing their findings to Ocean 180 this fall. The top 10 entries will be viewed and … [Read more...]
Sparring with fishermen over world’s largest marine reserve
President Obama’s proposal in June to expand a marine sanctuary around seven U.S.-controlled islands and atolls in the central Pacific Ocean drew immediate praise from scientists and conservationists, but has since sparked opposition from representatives of the tuna industry, including fishermen in Hawaii who say it would threaten their livelihood. The tuna fishermen oppose … [Read more...]
Join Clean-Up and Recycle Week SA this month
September is traditionally the month in which South Africans from all walks of life are encouraged to “spring clean” the environment in celebration of the arrival of spring. This year, the annual Clean-Up and Recycle Week SA will be taking place from the 15th to the 20th of September, culminating in National Recycling Day SA on Friday, 19 September and the 29th International … [Read more...]
World’s largest marine sanctuary on the cards?
U.S. President Barack Obama announced a plan for creating the world's largest marine sanctuary on Tuesday, covering hundreds of thousands of miles of Pacific Ocean, along with new pledges to fight illegal fishing and seafood fraud. Obama's proposal would expand the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument in the central Pacific from around 87,000 square miles to … [Read more...]
Greenpeace ship returns to warm welcome
Greenpeace's Arctic Sunrise ship arrived home to a warm welcome in The Netherlands on Saturday, almost a year after it was seized by Russia during a protest against Arctic oil drilling. "It's great to have her back," veteran Greenpeace skipper Pete Willcox, who captained the Arctic Sunrise at the time of the seizure, told AFP by telephone. "We were missing a big member of … [Read more...]
Arctic explorer to swim 7 seas for ocean protection
British endurance swimmer Lewis Pugh is to undertake seven swims in the Seven Seas to highlight the need for protected areas in oceans around the world. He will be the first to undertake a long-distance swim in each of the classical Seven Seas, the Mediterranean, Adriatic, Aegean, Black Sea, Red Sea, Arabian Sea and the North Sea, ending with an 100km (62 miles) swim up the … [Read more...]
Ocean array could clean Pacific garbage patch
Last year we reported on teenage inventor Boyan Slat’s plans to create an Ocean Cleanup Array that could remove 7,250,000 tons of plastic waste from the world’s oceans. His proposal for an anchored network of floating booms and processing platforms received a lot of criticism – but now, just over a year later, Boyan is back with the results of a year-long investigation that … [Read more...]
Save the oceans, feed the world
What's a marine biologist doing talking about world hunger? Well, says Jackie Savitz, fixing the world's oceans might just help to feed the planet's billion hungriest people. In an eye-opening talk, Savitz tells us what’s really going on in our global fisheries right now — it’s not good — and offers smart suggestions of how we can help them heal, while making more food for … [Read more...]
