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Conservation communication
The Oceanographic Research Institute staff, together with other scientists across the country, first flagged concerns about a number of South Africa’s linefish species in the 1990s, leading to the declaration of a crisis in 2000, and new regulations.
The first displays to communicate this to the public were developed by the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR). In 2004 a South African Sustainable Seafood Initiative (SASSI) was co-ordinated by the WWF, with strong support from SAAMBR – both in the commitment to sharing information with the public and the behind-the-scenes science to support the compiling of the red, orange and green lists for the consumer pocket cards and the FishMS text service.
With time, the demand for training from restaurants has grown and courses are regularly run for managers, chefs and waitrons to help them answer their customers’ queries.
Now the choice is even easier for those of us who buy our seafood from the supermarket. Wild fish stocks that are truly sustainable from boat to plate can be certified through the International Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). Look for the MSC logo, especially on frozen hake and tinned products. This eco-label gives everyone an easy way to make the best environmental choice when shopping.
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Saving Themba the chameleon – a story of hope
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Herpetologist Nick Evans holds Themba
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During the first week of June 2014 a young flap-necked chameleon, barely 5cm in length, was brought to Dangerous Creatures after being found on the roadside in Umhlanga Rocks.
The little one was so severely dehydrated that both his eyes were sunken, his skin was black and his movements were limited.
It was thought that his condition was possibly a result of poisoning, and not roadside trauma.
Read more.
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Ugu Lwethu – Our Coast
The Oceanographic Research Institute (ORI) has developed a first-of-its-kind resource covering the KwaZulu-Natal coast in the form of a book called Ugu Lwethu – Our Coast.
The book was developed in association with the then-KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs (DAEA), now known as the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (DETEA). It is aimed at authorities tasked with the day-to-day management of our coast, but will be of value to anyone interested in the KZN coast.
Read more.
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uShaka Sea World holds sustainable seafood workshop
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Sustainable seafood workshop attendees at uShaka Sea World
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uShaka Sea World is a proud sustainable seafood partner in South Africa and recently hosted a workshop where fishermen, fishmongers, wholesalers, retailers, restaurateurs and seafood lovers gathered to learn more about the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), an international certification and eco-labelling programme for sustainably caught seafood.
The MSC’s mission is to use its eco-label and fishery certification programme to contribute to the health of the world’s oceans, by recognising and rewarding sustainable fishing practices and influencing the choices people make when buying seafood.
Read more.
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Nothing but the best for Timone the seal
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Timone emerges from her crate to survey the clear, cold Cape waters
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After spending two months fattening up at uShaka Sea World, Timone, a juvenile sub-Antarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus tropicalis), was declared ready for release on 17 August 2014.
In preparation for release she was fitted with two plastic flipper tags (both numbered 0114) on her front flippers, as well as a satellite tag on her back. The satellite tag is designed to activate once submerged in water, enabling her movements to be monitored post-release.
Read more.
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