Pretoria – Members of the public are invited to explore the SA Agulhas II and find out more about the work of the Department of Environmental Affairs in the oceans and coastal environment.
The department will on 21 June 2014 host the annual SA Agulhas II Open Day at the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town.
During the open day, members of the public and media will be given an extensive tour of the vessel from its state-of-the-art laboratories to the lounge area dedicated to Miriam Makeba, all the way up to the bridge.
“There will also be exhibitions and displays by the department and its stakeholders, and an opportunity to conduct interviews and take pictures,” the department said.
Exhibitions and displays by the department and some of its stakeholders include South African Weather Service, Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds, UCT Oceanography Department, South African National Space Agency and Smit Amandla Marine.
Entertainment will be provided for the kids, including jumping castles and face painting.
Blue economy strategy
Meanwhile, in order to make full use of its oceans’ potential, the South African government is in the process of developing a blue economy strategy.
Environmental Affairs Deputy Director General Dr Monde Mayekiso noted that South Africa has large ocean spaces and they are beginning to appreciate the value of this vital national asset and how it can contribute to the livelihoods and economy.
The deputy minister was speaking following the gazetting of the White Paper on the National Environmental Management of the Ocean (NEMO) for implementation.
The White Paper on NEMO, which was approved by Cabinet in December 2013, aims to govern activities and role players with a stake in the ocean, in order to ensure optimal and sustainable use of the marine environment.
The National Development Plan identified ocean economy as one of the key drivers to eliminate poverty and reduce inequality by 2030.
Mayekiso said technology was unlocking the resources that lie within the ocean and the sustainable use of these resources will have a meaningful contribution towards the ability to create jobs in years to come.
“Much of our ocean remains unexplored and therefore there is a need to urgently gather information and describe what resources are available and how they can be used sustainably.
“A number of key areas such as Aquaculture, Marine Transport, Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration would be crucial in growing the economy providing much needed jobs and improving prosperity while ensuring environmental sustainability and integrity,” Dr Mayekiso said at the time. – SAnews.gov.za
