South Coast hosts global marine seminar
The Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association symposium theme is ‘Knowledge – Improving Lives in Ocean and Coastal Systems’.
MORE than 500 marine science experts from all over the world will visit this area this week to share their knowledge on how to manage the marine and coastal environment.
They will attend the biennial Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (Wiomsa) scientific symposium at the Wild Coast Sun Hotel and Casino Resort from October 25 to 31. KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Economic Development, Tourist and Environmental Affairs, Michael Mabuyakhulu, will officially open the symposium on Monday, October 26.
This symposium will convene as South Africa celebrates National Marine Month, aimed at creating awareness of the oceans and coastal environment. Some of the key issues to be discussed at the symposium include the status and ecological processes of coral reefs, the social dynamics of coastal communities, the effectiveness of marine protected areas and the restoration of coastal ecosystems.
The theme of the symposium is ‘Knowledge – Improving Lives in Ocean and Coastal Systems’. In line with its reputation as the major hub for exchange and dissemination of information, the ninth symposium will comprise six keynote presentations, with 215 oral and more than 250 poster presentations. There will be 12 special sessions on different topics on October 30. Two new books will also be launched at the symposium.
Wiomsa has a further mission of education and marine stewardship, as well as connecting global communities in their efforts to protect the oceans. As part of this effort, Hkle’a, the double hulled voyaging canoe that is currently approaching the coast of South Africa, will go on display.
From her home in Hawaii to her first port of call in South Africa (Richards Bay), the vessel is voyaging about 19 000 kilometres, or over 10 000 nautical miles. This historic leg of the worldwide journey is the first time the African coast has seen a Polynesian voyaging canoe and crew and South Africans are looking forward to welcoming them. Malama Honua, the Hawaiian name of the mission, means ‘caring for the island earth’. It is a similar message to our local South African ubuntu philosophy. A live google hangout will be facilitated during the symposium, allowing the scientific and local community to engage with the crew.
The Western Indian Ocean is incredibly important to countless coastal communities and populations. From small subsistence fishermen, to large ocean going ships, this part of the world’s oceans sustains millions. Fourteen African countries have coastlines in this ocean, stretching out from Madagascar to Egypt, and down to Cape Agulhas in South Africa. Coral reefs along the coastline of Kenya, Tanzania, and northern Mozambique form a large fringing reef complex that is among the largest in the world.
The symposium will be co-hosted by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, the University of KwaZulu-Natal and the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board.
