for each country or group of countries country’s islands to the south are
falling into a specific area, or ‘hotspot’ about to be proclaimed a marine
as we call it. protection area. This proclamation is
With the help of local universities the culmination of intensive stakeholder
and environmental NGOs, we identify consultations and negotiations, which
marine projects spearheaded by kicked off with a legal review at the
marine conservationists, local fishers end of 2005.
and other dedicated people, and we
draw data from these various projects. Angola, the Congo and Gabon
We look for people and projects that Venturing further along the west coast
make a positive change or impact in we moved past the rich seawaters of
the marine environment. Angola, a country that is quickly being
Using the collective imagery and opened to big industry. Angola is a
information gathered on the expedition strange but enticingly beautiful country,
we hope to gain an understanding of but unfortunately the Angolan fish
where South Africa features in relation stock is not regulated.
to other nations when it comes to the We clambered over muddy
fine balance between sustainability and banks and sinking river barges
overexploitation of the marine world. over the mighty Congo River and
We’re planning on putting everything into Conkouati National Park in the
together in a television documentary upper coastal Congo. There are
that will be aired across Africa. We’re numerous villages in the park, and
also hoping to draw up a series of much reported marine exploitation.
children’s and travel books based on A small group of Congolese NGO
what we have observed. workers are researching the extent
of this exploitation. This is a brilliant
Namibia initiative and will provide data that
In Namibia we had the pleasure of will contribute to efficient fisheries-
working with groups such as the management decisions in the future.
SE
Albatross Task Force and the Namibian The Republic of the Congo’s northern
Dolphin Project. neighbour, Gabon, boasts a wonderful
C
Namibia has become the sixth national park, Mayumba. The park’s
T
country to join the ranks of Birdlife team offers marine education to the O
International’s Albatross Task Force town of Mayumba and the surrounding
R
in an attempt to help the local fishing local villages. This endeavour has
industry to reduce its by-catch of yielded significant results in people’s
|
seabirds, especially albatrosses awareness of and respect for their
and petrels. Launched last year, an local environment. An amazing group
f
o
assessment report indicated that about of park workers, who often don’t get
34 000 seabirds a year fall victim paid much and also don’t enjoy much
c
to fishing activities in the Benguela logistical support, labour tirelessly to
u
Current region, which includes South keep their park free of illegal poachers
s
Africa, Namibia and Angola. and fishing vessels.
We look for people and projects that make a positive
change or impact in the marine environment
W
e hatched the idea of going The Department of Fisheries and Benin and Senegal
in search of the underwater Marine Resources in Namibia is, in our Along the small coast of Benin, a
heritage of 42 specific opinion, moving in the right direction tiny NGO called Nature Tropical is
countries on three continents – Africa, and positively influencing fisheries’ headed by the devoted Josea Dossou-
Europe and Asia – in 2007. We set to decisions. This positive influence can Bodjrenou. Where government policy
work and found a number of generous be seen in line fishery and aquaculture has largely failed, he found a unique
sponsors, including the South African development, to name a few areas. way to conserve marine resources
government, and in 2008 we packed We also experienced the Namibian using voodoo guidelines. The Beninese
our trusty Land Cruiser and set off government’s careful control of the communities are willing to participate,
from our home in Betty’s Bay in the fishing industry first-hand in Hentie’s but their participation has to be
Western Cape. We called out operation Bay, north of Swakopmund. While structured in line with conservation
Moving Sushi, and we’ve given fishing there, our bait, caught fish and goals. He is making successful
ourselves two years to complete the licence were checked. We found this a headway and is the most active driver
fieldwork. We’re aiming to draw up an very positive experience. of most of Benin’s environmental and
inventory of the potential biodiversity We can also report that all of the marine programmes.
117
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