Read inside this issue of the Wanderer
The XXXVII SCAR Delegates Meeting took place in Goa, India, during the first week of September. Bettine van Vuuren and Tracy Klarenbeek represented South Africa during this meeting.
To represent a country, the Delegates need to prepare themselves in advance to be able to give feedback and to make decisions during these meetings. Bettine led the delegation for South Africa and gathered the necessary input from the SA National Committee for SCAR.
During the meeting, Prof Steven Chown of Monash University, previously from South Africa, was awarded Honorary Membership to SCAR, and we would like to congratulate him on this award.
Two new SCAR Vice Presidents were appointed during this meeting: Prof Burcu Ozsoy from Turkey and Dr Marcelo Leppe from Chile
Future events were announced, and these will be updated on the SANAP website.
SCAR Biology Symposium 31 July – 3 August 2023 – Christchurch, New Zealand
The Southern Ocean Observing System (SOOS) Symposium – 14 – 18 August 2023 – Hobart, Australia
2024 SCAR Open Science Conference 19 – 23 August 2024 – Pucon, Chile and SCAR Delegates meeting 26 – 29 August 2024 – Punta Arenas, Chile
2026 SCAR Open Science Conference – Norway
“It is with mixed emotions that we send these final greetings from the G67 team! The time has come to present our ultimate Bunting newsletter before handing over the reins to the next editor(s) who will be responsible for introducing the resilient members of G68.” – Editor Gough Bunting.
Read the final Newsletter form the Gough67 Overwintering Team. Inside this issue:
“Goodbye Gough Island and thank you for everything.” – Sandile Nkebe (Team
leader of G67)
Nishendra (Nish) Devanunthan (right) has been appointed as the Operations Coordinator for the South African Polar Research Infrastructure (SAPRI) of the Logistics Node. He will work directly with Dr Juliet Hermies (left), the acting director of SAPRI.
The operations coordinator will be based at SAEON Egagasini Node, in Cape Town, and will be responsible for the day-to-day operational and logistical management of SAPRI. The main responsibilities will be to support effective communication and coordination between SAPRI stakeholders, coordinate Supply Chain Management activities at SAPRI to meet organizational objectives, and support the promotion of transformation within polar science. Nish Devanunthan brings to SAPRI a wealth of knowledge in engineering, logistics, operations, and project management. His understanding of navigating the public administration landscape, public procurement, stakeholder engagement, planning and execution of logistics are very relevant to his appointment as operations coordinator.
Nish hails from a small town in KwaZulu-Natal on the North Coast and completed his MBA in 2017. His previous appointment was the Director of Southern Oceans & Antarctic Support in the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE): Oceans & Coasts since 2013. His activities and responsibilities as director at DFFE, such as planning, forecasting, and overseeing execution of projects as well as financial and contract management will be very relevant to his appointment as operations coordinator. Read more.
He has been to SANAE IV, Marion Island, and Gough Island and was South Africa’s representative at the Council for Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP), and has attended the past Antarctic Treaty consultative meeting (ATCM).
Read more about Nish Devanunthan in the mid-month series on the SANAP website.
Cover photo: Andrew McDonnell
Ria Olivier, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, 12 August 2022.
The All-Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance 2022 Forum was co-hosted by the United States and Brazil, in collaboration with the European Commission, over two events between May and July 2022. Outcomes from the Scientific Event in May were highlighted at the Ministerial Event in Washington, D.C. July 12-14, which featured ministerial interventions and the signing of the All-Atlantic Ocean Research & Innovation Alliance Declaration. The Declaration outlines the vision of the All-Atlantic and will build upon collaboration between existing initiatives in the Atlantic Ocean on ocean research and innovation.
During a side event “Research Cooperation from Pole to Pole” hosted at the residence of the Portuguese Ambassador in the USA, Washington, DC. Dr Juliet Hermes, Acting Manager of SAPRI hosted at the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) Egagasini node and Dr Tamaryn Morris, Senior Marine Scientist at South African Weather Service attended this meeting on 12 July.
Introduction to the Southern Ocean/Antarctic Research interests of the All-Atlantic partners from the United States, Europe, Brazil and Canada. Dr Tamaryn Morris gave an introduction of South Africa research interests.
A panel discussion on challenges and best practices for All-Atlantic cooperation and preparation of recommendations and next steps to facilitate an All-Atlantic cooperation in Polar research was chaired by Evan Bloom. Dr Juliet Hermes was one of the panelists. A summary of recommendations was done afterward.
Juliet Hermes: ” The panel raised some very pertinent questions around polar infrastructure. It was interesting to hear those other countries struggle with the same issues as us and the need for shared best practices was highlighted.
The meeting was a great networking opportunity and SAPRI has been invited to collaborate on the next major European funding call. We also had the opportunity to contribute to key messages for the ministers.”
Juliet and Tammy did make time to take a picture while in Washington.
Ria Olivier, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, 02 August 2022
East Pier Shed, East Pier Lane,
V&A Waterfront, Cape Town,
South Africa
