|
South African scuba diving, marine and environmental news - Archive April 2005
News and articles relating to scuba diving, marine and environmental issues in South Africa and abroad. Features on Great White shark cage diving, tropical reef diving and wreck diving holidays plus diving with sharks, whale sharks, whales, dolphins and turtles
- Coral reefs: rainforests of the seas
Coral reefs are the rainforests of the sea. They are home to incredible biodiversity, provide food and shelter to over a quarter of all marine life and have the highest concentration of marine life than anywhere else.
- South Africa hopefull to get coelacanth research and exploration mini-submarine
South Africa is hoping to get its own full-time coelacanth research and exploration mini-submarine, thanks to the efforts of a world-famous marine scientist and explorer, "Her Deepness" Dr Sylvia Earle.
- Tuna fishing policy 'misguided'
A study of Atlantic bluefin tuna has shown that tighter fishing restrictions are needed to protect the animal, Nature magazine reports this week.
- Global warming 'proof' detected
The Earth is absorbing more energy from the Sun than it is giving back into space, according to a new study by climate scientists in the US. They base their findings on computer models of climate, and on measurements of temperature in the oceans.
- The future of Greens
SUNNY skies, blue seas, verdant forests, abundant wildlife. We all want our children, and their children's children and beyond, to experience the majesty of our planet.
- South Africa must continue to be the champions
President Thabo Mbeki says South Africa has an obligation to ensure a sustainable environment. The president was speaking at the Union Buildings in Pretoria where he received the Champions of the Earth Award from Environmental Affairs and Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk.
- SuitJuice lubricant for wetsuits
SuitJuice is a slick viscous lubricant you can use to slip effortlessly in and out of your neoprene wetsuit.
- New coral reefs discovered
Australian scientists on Friday said they had discovered new coral reefs stretching 100 kilometres in the remote Gulf of Carpentaria off the country's rugged north coast.
- Toxic red tide spreads across Cape peninsula
There is now a toxic red tide stretching from Blouberg to Kommetjie and the authorities have warned the public not to eat shellfish collected from this area.
- Nature gurus slam alien crayfish investment idea
Environmentalists have slammed Economic Development MEC Lynne Brown's announcement that the province will invest R500 000 in developing a hatchery for alien freshwater crayfish.
- Climate change poses threat to food supply, scientists say
Worldwide production of essential crops such as wheat, rice, maize and soya beans is likely to be hit much harder by global warming than previously predicted, an international conference in London has heard.
- Zimbabwe turns to wildlife as food source
President Robert Mugabe's regime has directed national parks officials to kill animals in state-owned conservation areas to feed hungry rural peasants - a move that could wipe out what remains of Zimbabwe's impalas, kudus, giraffes, elephants and other species.
- Coral reef damage may impact world - experts
The demise of the world's coral reefs could threaten coastal communities as global fish stocks fall, an international conservation group said on Monday.
- Tiny reef fish has shortest lifespan - study
A tiny reef fish which survives for up to 59 days has the shortest lifespan of any vertebrate animal, researchers in Australia said on Tuesday.
- WSSD review session sets the world on a common path towards a better future
The WSSD Review session, known as the Commission on Sustainable Development Thirteen (CSD 13) ended on 22/04/05 with the adoption of a agreement that defines a common international agreement on water, sanitation and human settlement. This session was held at the United Nations in New York , USA from 11 to 22 April 2005.
- Volunteers clean up Everest
Tibetan mountaineers and a team of volunteers have begun a six-week clean up of Mount Everest, where tons of rubbish has been dumped by expeditions, state media said Monday.
- Elephants in South Africa remains a huge headache
Park authorities in South Africa have delayed making a decision on ways to curb the exploding elephant population in the Kruger National Park as experts remain divided on the issue, according to a news report on Sunday.
- Great White sharks tagged off New Zealand
For the first time, great white sharks in New Zealand waters have been outfitted with satellite tags, researchers said today. The devices will help scientists learn where and how deep the creatures go.
- Rare loggerhead turtle saved near Dyer Island
Sea-goers were surprised to come across a loggerhead turtle near Dyer Island at the end of last week. The young turtle was swimming slowly near the surface and upon closer inspection was found to have fishing line entangled around both fore flippers and its neck.
- Beaked whale beached near Cape Town
Residents of Noordhoek, 30km out of Cape Town woke up to an unusual, but also sad sight on their beach this morning. Its a gigantic deep sea mammal with an unusual parasitic sea weed growing in its mouth.
- Striped marlin caught off South Africa Cape coast
Arguably the most unusual catch of the decade was made when a striped marlin was caught 35 nautical miles (about 65km) from Hout Bay Harbour.
- Iceberg collision rewrites map of Antarctica
The world's largest iceberg has crashed into a glacier, snapping off a chunk of glacial outflow, changing the coastline of Antarctica.
- Kruger Park cull put on hold to win consensus
South African National Parks (SANP) has at the last minute delayed a crucial report on the highly controversial issue of elephant population management in the Kruger National Park and elsewhere in an attempt to achieve greater consensus on the issue.
- Mass slaughter of rare Mediterranean sharks sparks outcry
Conservationists and shark researchers have expressed their disgust and disappointment with Israeli authorities over the killing of at least 70 rare sharks this week off the nation's Mediterranean coast.
- Climate change taking a toll on glaciers
Scientists have issued a fresh warning about the effect of climate change on Antarctica, saying that more than 200 coastal glaciers are in retreat because of higher temperatures.
- Killing sharks kills coral reefs
Their position at the pinnacle of the marine food chain is legendary. Now, understanding sharks and their significance as top predators - and the consequences of human activity towards them - has taken on new importance through a new study by scientists in San Diego and Spain.
- Anglers urged to stick to new fishing limits
Anglers and ski-boat fishermen have been urged to educate themselves about several changes to fishing bag and size limits gazetted by the government to protect and rebuild threatened fish stocks.
- SA receives "Champion of the Earth" award: Recognised for global enviro leadership
At a glittering event hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) at the UN Headquarters in New York on Tuesday night, President Thabo Mbeki and the people of South Africa were recognised for outstanding achievements in the field of the environment.
- Giant iceberg hits glacier
The world's biggest iceberg has hit the end of an Antarctic glacier, snapping off a block about five square kilometres, a New Zealand scientist said on Wednesday.
- NSRI called out to rescue Hout Bay crew
The NSRI was called out in Monday night's storm to assist a 50-ton Hout Bay fishing boat. The Hangberg, which was fishing between the Sentinel and Karbonkelberg, had a crew of 14 on board and a full cargo of fish.
- Indaba to be 'better than ever before'
With their focus firmly fixed on retaining the Indaba show in Durban, staff at Tourism KwaZulu-Natal (TKZN) are going to make a "bigger push" at the massive trade event than ever before.
- South Africa high court OKs trophy hunting
The High Court ordered on Tuesday that game and trophy hunting on private game farms bordering the Kruger National Park could go ahead.
- Heart attack kills scuba diver during pre-dive briefing
A scuba diver has died after suffering a heart attack. The victim was a 51-year-old man from Simon's Town who told his scuba diving instructor that he felt tired during the pre-dive briefing.
- South Africa and Mozambique sign visa waiver agreement
FROM April 18, Mozambicans and South Africans will no longer be required to apply for visas if their stay in each other's country does not exceed 30 days.
- Corals suffer blow
Three months after the Indian Ocean tsunami, divers are still pulling mattresses and metal from the coral-lined bays of Thai paradise isles, although experts say overall reef damage is not that bad.
- New coral dating technique helps resolve changes in sea level rise in the past
Corals from Papua New Guinea and Barbados indicate that changes in sea level, one of the key indexes for global climate change, may have been more frequent in the past than previously thought, according to a report in today's issue of Science.
- Shoddy Robben Island risks delisting as UN Heritage Site
ROBBEN Island has been forced to launch a rescue plan to save its status as South Africa's premier world heritage site after maintenance failed to meet Unesco standards.
- South African government to invest more in wildlife parks
GOVERNMENT will invest R193m over the next three years to develop national and transfrontier parks, Environmental Affairs and Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk said at the weekend.
- Ecologists concerned about "noisy oceans"
The ocean was flat and the winter darkness over Cape Cod Bay was unbroken by ship lights. But below the bay's surface, Christopher Clark found things weren't as serene as they seemed.
- Snow, rain in store for Western Cape
A strong cold front, with snow in its belly, might reach Cape Town by Monday evening.
- Workers use council cars for poaching
Cape Town municipal employees using city council vehicles have been caught poaching the Peninsula's precious perlemoen and crayfish during working hours.
- Cape Town yacht crew have lucky escape
Three yacht crew members on a pleasure cruise had a lucky escape after a container ship weighing more than 13 000 tons grazed their vessel.
- Green Scorpions are ready to sting poachers
Polluters, poachers, illegal developers and all other environmental criminals beware: the Green Scorpions are out to sting you
- uShaka Marine World seek additional loan to stay afloat
The management of uShaka Marine World has asked Durban's executive committee for a further loan of R174,5-million to service its multimillion-rand debt.
- 4x4 fans told to get into gear
Environment Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk has given South Africa's 4x4 trail industry six months to come up with concrete proposals to regulate their activities - or the government will.
- "Wholphin" born in captivity
The world's only known whale-dolphin mix has given birth to a playful female calf, officials at Sea Life Park Hawaii said.
- South Africa-Mozambique visas could be dropped
Travel between South Africa and Mozambique could soon become as simple as visiting a neighbour. Mozambican President Armando Guebuza will touch down in South Africa on Friday morning to attend a heads-of-state bilateral meeting in Pretoria.
- Durban Tourism Indaba pulls the crowds
South Africa's Tourism Indaba, which will take place from May 7 to May 10 at the International Convention Centre in Durban, has attracted a record number of new foreign buyers.
- Post tsunami update - Latest reports from divers
With many resorts undamaged or repaired local tourist workers are desperate for tourists NOT to cancel their holiday plans. Hoteliers say the only way they can continue to support local economies is if tourists return.
- Outrage as Japan plans more whaling
Japan plans to kill two more species of whale in the Antarctic Ocean while doubling the catch of the main whale it currently hunts, a press report said on Tuesday, refuelling the global outcry by ecologists.
- Deluge of destruction hits Cape
High winds and heavy rains, which lashed the province over the past two days, washed away bridges and roads and have left thousands homeless.
- New amphibian species discovered in Africa
Fossils of two new species of 250-million year-old crocodile-like amphibians have been discovered in the African desert in Niger, scientists said on Wednesday.
- Strong South African delegation attend WSSD assessment session in New York
The 13th session of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD 13) is underway from 11/04/05 to 22/04/05 at the United Nations, New York, United States of America where South Africa's government and civil society are joining hands in an effort to influence the world's sustainable development programme.
- Renewable sources can meet half of South Africa's energy needs
South Africa CAN generate 50% of its total energy supplies from renewable energy by 2050, according to a study commissioned by nongovernmental organisation Earthlife Africa.
- South Africa and President Mbeki hailed by the United Nations Environment Programme
South Africa and President Thabo Mbeki have been listed as "Champions of the Earth", the United Nations Environment Programme (Unep) said on Tuesday.
- Everest summiters set high altitude scuba diving record
Everest and K2 Summiter Ricardo Torres-Nava and his climbing buddy Fernando Lozano just achieved a new world record scuba diving in Chile's Licancabur volcano's lagoon at 5916 meters one of the highest lakes on Earth. They have proof of the new record on eighteen minutes of underwater film and photography.
- Research shows overfishing of sharks key factor in coral reef decline
Their position at the pinnacle of the marine food chain is legendary. Now, understanding sharks and their significance as top predators-and the consequences of human activity towards them-has taken on new importance through a new study by scientists in San Diego and Spain.
- Shark feeding bad for sharks says renowned shark scientist
Eco-tourists and surfers invading the natural space of great white sharks are directly responsible for the recent spate of attacks, a leading shark expert said yesterday.
- Scientists sound off on reef fish restocking
Marine scientists say new research into the sounds fish produce in the Great Barrier Reef could help in restocking low population areas. Institutions such as the Australian Institute of Marine Science and the University of Auckland recorded underwater sounds off Lizard Island in far north Queensland.
- Rather fishy criticism
Some concern has been voiced that the Gansbaai salmon farming project may have a negative impact on water quality, affecting the local abalone farms and other fishing interests.
- Threatened baby turtles given helping hand
Thousands of endangered baby turtles have survived the journey from their nests to the sea thanks to conservationists in India. Olive Ridley turtles nest annually along the country's east coast, digging sandpits and laying eggs before returning to the ocean.
- KZN department gives approval for rhino hunt
Hunters are getting ready to shoot five black rhinos in South Africa - the first time this critically endangered species will have been hunted legally in more than three decades.
- Chemicals contribute to climate change
Alternatives to ozone-depleting chemicals in products like pesticides and aerosols are also contributing to climate change, according to a United Nations report released on Monday.
- Science shows how malaria 'hides'
Scientists have worked out how the deadliest malaria parasite is able to "hide" from the body's immune system. The US-led international team said Plasmodium falciparum constantly changes the appearance of a protein it deposits on infected cells.
- Cape Town quake zone alert
A geological expert has warned that recent seismic activity could indicate that a geological fault passing through Cape Town has "woken up" and could hold a "nasty shock" for Capetonians.
- Kenyan oil spill a threat to marine life
The Kenya Ports Authority environmental team was by yesterday still struggling to contain the spread of over five million litres of oil spilt into the Indian Ocean at the Mombasa port on Thursday.
- Cheap pill to fight malaria
Scientists have developed a new cheap and convenient malaria pill that could boost the success of the fight against the disease, which kills nearly two million people a year in poor countries, experts said.
- Noisy reefs preferred by young fish
Travel brochures often use coral reef imagery to lure tourists to seemingly tranquil locales. Don't be fooled: Reefs are anything but quiet. And that's a welcome fact if you're a reef fish looking for a place to settle, scientists say.
- New ships too big for Cape Town harbour
Cape Town's ship repair industry might have the use of a new ship lift within three years - if the National Ports Authority can decide which formula to use to make the land available for it.
- 'Canned hunting' probe hailed
A move to appoint an independent probe into "canned hunting" has been hailed as a step in the right direction. This was the general reaction on Thursday after Environmental Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk decided to appoint an independent panel of experts to investigate "canned hunting" of predators and trophy hunting in buffer zones adjoining the Kruger National Park - two of the most-emotional issues in nature conservation.
- New System to Gauge SA's Tourism Revenue
The environmental affairs and tourism department will identify indicators to measure the effect tourism has on SA's economy, Environmental Affairs and Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk said yesterday.
- BSAC announces first photo winner
Last year the British Sub-Aqua Club took the decision to enter the fray of international underwater photo contests. Now it has announced the first winner of its Travel Club Annual Photographic Competition.
- SSI gets technical
American trainer Scuba Schools International has announced a move into technical dive training.
- Captive great white shark returned to the ocean
A great white shark that survived far longer than any other in captivity was returned to the wild on Thursday because it was growing too large and had begun preying on other fish at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
|
|
|
