by Ria Olivier | Mar 11, 2024 | Announcement, Environment, Invasion Biology, Marine Protected Area, Marion Island, Mice Eradication, Prince Edward Island, Prince Edward Islands
MINISTER CREECY LAUNCHES THE 3RD NATIONAL STATUS OF BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS AND THEIR MANAGEMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA
Full release available on Department of Forestry Fisheries nd the Environment website
“We must continue investing in research and innovation, supporting studies that enhance our understanding of invasive species dynamics to improve management strategies. The 3rd National Status report on Biological Invasions serves as a clarion call for action reminding us of the urgency of the situation and the imperative to act decisively,”
“Addressing the challenges posed by biological invasions requires a coordinated and collaborative effort. No single entity can tackle this issue alone. Government, academics, civil society organisations and communities must come together, pooling their knowledge, resources and expertise to develop effective prevention, early detection and control strategies,” said Minister Creecy.
Thirdly, invasive species are devastating the unique and sensitive biodiversity of the Prince Edward Islands. For the first time, this report provides a separate assessment of the status of biological invasions and their management on the Prince Edward Islands. Although these islands are part of South Africa, their remote location and unique biodiversity warrant a separate assessment. Findings highlight the devastating impact of the house mouse, which is alien to the Marion Island. The mice feed on plants, and small animals including endangered seabirds. A bold plan to eradicate mice from the island has been developed and is due to be implemented in 2027. The eradication of mice from Marion Island is essential if its unique biodiversity is to be preserved.
by Ria Olivier | Mar 1, 2024 | Data Management, Environment, Prince Edward Island, Research, SANAP
A session has been included in the 6th SANAP symposium to include the Prince Edward Island scientific survey members as they were arriving late on the 29 November. As a cross discipline on Data Management and the Summer Survey Participants. Christel Hansen chaired the session ‘Data and frameworks in the support of polar research’.
Above(l-r): Newi Makhado, Janine Schoombie, Chris Oosthuizen, David Hedding, Stefan Schoombie
- Newi Makhado: Ecoregionalisation of the pelagic zone in the Subantarctic and subtropical Indian Ocean.
- Janine Schoombie: Studies of wind, plants and seabirds on Marion Island. (Abstract)
- Chris Oosthuizen: Marine predators: ecosystem sentinels that help inform Southern Ocean management. (Abstract)
- David Hedding: A geospatial database for the sub-Antarctic Prince Edward Islands. (Abstract)
- Stefan Schoombie: Non-breeding distribution and moulting activity of Blue Petrels (Halobaena caerulea) breeding on sub-Antarctic Marion Island.
- Christel Hansen: Consistent mapping and geospatial information representation in the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic: why South Africans should care. (Abstract)
Above: Scientific Survey members taken on Prince Edward Island. Azwianewi Makhado, Maëlle Connan, David Hedding, Charlene Janion-Scheepers , Rowan Jordaan, Makhudu Masotla, Thomas Mufanadzo, Chris Oosthuizen, Liezl Pretorius, Janine Schoombie, Stefan Schoombie, Yinhla Shihlomule, and Elsa van Ginkel. Read more
by Ria Olivier | Feb 16, 2024 | Data Management, Marion Island, Prince Edward Island, Research, SA Agulhas II, Science, Uncategorised
During the 6th Symposium sessions were allocated to cross cutting disciplines and it led to great presentations and discussions. 12- 16 February is International Love Data Week with the theme “My Kind of Data” and this is about the data presentations at the SANAP Symposium “the SANAP community kind of data.”
Data Management
Anne Treasure(right) South Africa’s representative at Standing Committee on Data Management(SCADM) at SCAR and Data Products and Society Manager of the South African Polar Institute(SAPRI) chaired the main session on data management. This session included very interesting presentations from various science disciplines.
Above(l-r): Leigh McGaughey, JP Barnard, Bjorn Boyes
- First Presentation was by Leigh McGaughey on “Ecosystem modelling to explore ecosystem dynamics at the Prince Edward Islands.” (abstract)
- Data management with JP Barnard delivering a presentation on “Management of Recorded Voyage Data for the SA Agulhas II.” and discuss intricate models to ensure vessel data is manage correctly. (Abstract)
- Bjorn Boyes had everyone listening to his talk ” on how to digitally construct sub-Antarctic Marion Island. (Abstract)
On the 30th November more data presentations was given in an ad hoc session chaired by Christel Hansen. Above(l-r): David Hedding, Christel Hansen, Pierre Cilliers
- David Hedding: A geospatial database for the sub-Antarctic Prince Edward Islands (Abstract) Read more here and see the dataset
Christel Hansen delivered a presentation on “Consistent mapping and geospatial information representation in the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic: why South Africans should care.” (Abstract)- During the last research theme session chaired by Stefan Lotz of SANSA, Pierre Cilliers delivered a presentation on ” The long-term variation of the geomagnetic field in Antarctica as measured in Hermanus, Maitri and at SANAE-IV since 2007.” (Abstract)
by Ria Olivier | Feb 14, 2024 | Announcement, Marine Protected Area, Marion Island, Prince Edward Island, Prince Edward Islands
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment is calling for the submission of nominations for the appointment of members to serve on the Prince Edward Islands Special Nature Reserve Advisory Committee (“PEIAC”) for the period 2024 to 2026.
See the full criteria here and Public Notice
Enquiries may be directed to:
Ms Daisy Kotsedi
Tel: 021 493 7354
E-mail: dkotsedi@dffe.gov.za
CLOSING DATE: 19 March 2024
by Ria Olivier | Jul 17, 2023 | Announcement, Antarctica, Gough Island, Marion Island, Prince Edward Island, Prince Edward Islands, Research, SA Agulhas II, SA Polar Research Infrastructure, SANAP, SAPolarRI, SAPRI, Science, Southern Ocean, Stations, STEM, sub-Antarctic
In 2015, The Department of Science and Technology (DST) facilitated the first dedicated oceanographic winter expedition on the S.A. Agulhas II from 23 July – 14 August 2015. The success of this expedition and others that followed demonstrated the need expressed by the wider marine and Southern Ocean research community and has prompted the DSI to secure funds for additional dedicated research expeditions in 2024, 2025 and 2026. The number of dedicated research expeditions will depend on the need expressed and the funding available. The core objective is to develop a comprehensive marine and Antarctic research expedition plan for 2024-2026, underpinned by the Marine and Antarctic Research Strategy (MARS) and contributing to the United Nations Decade of Ocean Sciences for sustainable development. These dedicated research expeditions will not only encompass oceanography but will provide research opportunities for marine-related and South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) –related research.
MARS was developed to provide a platform from which to coordinate marine and Antarctic research. The assumption is that improved coordination of a currently fragmented science system will improve returns on investment. Structured planning and a guided strategic focus will maximize human capital development and bring South Africa to the international forefront of knowledge production in these research areas. From this will follow innovation, increased international influence, and ultimately, economic growth.
The NRF and the South African Polar Research Infrastructure (SAPRI) have been tasked with coordinating various activities that will feed into improved planning and coordinating of marine and Antarctic research activities. As such, the NRF together with SAPRI would like to maximise on the opportunities for dedicated expeditions based on research community needs to enable long-term planning for expeditions, including sourcing funding for such expeditions. Dedicated expeditions may be implemented in periods where the S.A. Agulhas II is available. The schedule for the annual relief voyages indicate periods when the S.A. Agulhas II is not available (relief voyages for Antarctica, Marion Island and Gough Island). The direction (expedition transects), duration (including number and types of stations) and research focus of each dedicated research expedition would then be decided on by the DSI, together with the NRF, based on such variables as proposed participation, research area alignment, MARS theme alignment, contribution to the Ocean Decade and overall return on investment (data collection and capacity development.). To this end, SAPRI can support the costs of any in person meetings required to discuss collaborative research expeditions.
It should be noted that the attached annexure may change depending on the activities of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE). For example, an emergency may require DFFE to deploy the S.A. Agulhas II to enable the Department of Public Works to do building maintenance and repairs at any of the three bases. As such, all potential dedicated expeditions will need to be approved by the DFFE before final planning can begin.
Please complete the template and return to tj.klarenbeek@risa.nrf.ac.za no later than 15 August 2023. The completed templates will give an indication of research community demand. More detailed research plans will be requested hereafter.
Expression of interest – dedicated S.A. Agulhas II voyages
Text: Expression of interest, Participation in dedicated research expeditions 2024, 2025, 2026. Tracy Klarenbeek, Director: Knowledge Advancement and Support (KAS), National Research Foundation (NRF), Research Innovation Support and Advancement (RISA).
by Ria Olivier | Apr 20, 2023 | Announcement, Antarctica, Prince Edward Island, Research, SA Agulhas II, SANAE IV, Science, Southern Ocean, sub-Antarctic
The NRF-SANAP Funding call is now open!
Click on the link below to access the submission portal.
Have you registered on NRF Connect?
Submission deadline: 15 June 2023
Important Documents – as indicated on the NRF website
(Please click on the images below to open the various documents)
Anche Louw, South African Polar Research Infrastructure (SAPRI DPS Node), 20 April 2023
