Crocworld Conservation Centre focuses on marine protection

 

WITH the proposed Protea Banks Marine Protected Area (MPA), offshore from the South Coast, very much in the news, local nature lovers are sure to be interested in this month’s environmental lecture at Crocworld Conservation Centre.

Dr Bruce Mann will focus on species conservation when he gives a talk entitled ‘Evaluating the effectiveness of the Pondoland Marine Protected Area’, at the centre on Saturday, March 11. He is a senior scientist in the Oceanographic Research Institute of the South African Association for Marine Biological Research.

After growing up in Zululand, he completed his honours and master’s degrees in Ichthyology and Fisheries Science at Rhodes University. His master’s studies focused on the biology of reef fish in the Tsitsikamma National Park and this immensely contributed towards his understanding of the importance of MPAs.

This became his passion which he continues to highlight on a regular basis. He has been involved in various projects including the fisheries in Lake St Lucia, the Transkei and the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. He has been involved in the editing and compilation of two books on the South African linefish status reports and he has published over fifty papers in his area of expertise.

A dedicated conservationist of marine life, he enjoys sharing his passion for the oceans with the public.

“Never before have MPAs been more important than they are now,” he said.

The Pondoland Marine Protected Area conserves a spectacular seascape along the Wild Coast. It has subtropical reefs and unspoiled estuaries that are home to young fish, waterfalls plunge straight into the sea. The Pondoland MPA includes the Mkhambathi Nature Reserve. It stretches over 90km and extends approximately 10km out to sea.

Tickets for his talk will cost R75 per adult and R35 for pensioners and schoolchildren. Registration begins at 8.30am and the talk will start at 9am. To book contact Nolean Allun at 039 976 1103 or 083 654 9651.

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