EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
Benguela Current ecosystem
health under the microscope
A sustainable Benguela Current ecosystem is the lifeblood of the ‘Ocean Economy’ on South Africa’s
West Coast and considerable progress in identifying the best ways to check on its health was
discussed at a workshop in Cape Town from 22 to 23 March.
T
he workshop formed part of a
project by the Benguela Current
Convention (BCC) to strengthen
the ability of member states – Namibia,
Angola and South Africa – to monitor
the health of the Benguela Current
ecosystem in their own countries, as well
as implementing an integrated approach
to sustainable ecosystem management
across national boundaries.
Scientists, government officials, business
and civil society representatives discussed
how best to measure and monitor both
the economic value and environmental
health of the diverse and inter-linked
‘ecosystem services’ provided by the
ocean and coastal environment. The
workshop also aimed to identify gaps in
current monitoring activities and data,
capacity and resource needs, and how to
resolve potential conflicting uses in future.
“This is vital to maintaining the
sustainability of the economic and
social benefits to the people who rely
on the ecosystem. For South Africa, this
is particularly important, given the focus
on developing the maritime economy
through Operation Phakisa, which has
earmarked several diverse projects for
the West Coast,” said project leader Dr
Samantha Petersen.
“The real success of the workshops
was that we achieved widespread
representation from government and
NGOs in sectors including mining,
petroleum, environmental management,
fisheries and aquaculture. From the level
of engagement and participation, and
the positive attitude of the stakeholders,
it was clear that all want to work together
to achieve the same thing – to optimise
the value of oceans to society over the
long-term.
“This bodes well for the kind of
cooperation and collaboration that will be
needed to manage the diverse resources
and services of the Benguela Current at an
ecosystem level, across traditional sector
boundaries and government department
‘silos’,” she said.
She added that the BCC has a
unique mandate to work across country
boundaries, and the workshops highlight its
ability to bring government departments
and stakeholder groups together across
different sectors.
“This points the way to an exciting future
leadership r