Dr Ernita Flynn
Science-policy links for coastal research: an urban, multi-level governance perspective
26 September 2022, 13:00 - 14:00, Online and Venue (Hybrid event)
The science community’s contract with society puts a premium on knowledge generation to support societal well-being. In a world of climate change impacts, pressure on ecosystem services and unprecedented levels of urbanization, the importance of informed action at the level of local and sub-national governments is gaining traction in the global policy arena. This evolving and increasingly impactful world of sub-national sustainability policy relies on new knowledge to inform policy and action. But, how does science get to influence this complex space across different levels of urban sustainability policy from the local, to national to global? Using mainly coastal examples, this presentation offers reflections from two ICLEI scientists, focused on the supply of and demand for science in a complex, multi-level governance policy context.
Following initial training in ecology and conservation, Dr Flynn’s interests and work have focused on the design and implementation of research in the fields of invasive species, adaptive management, biodiversity mainstreaming and environmental stewardship, over a period of 25 years. She has a particular interest in estuary social-ecological systems and approaches that incorporate nature and biodiversity into urban planning and governance in developing country contexts. Dr Flynn holds a PhD in Environment and Development from the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Dr Flynn's presentation is available via this link. Please click here to access the recording of his presentation.
Professor Rose Boswell
Event organized by the SARCHI Ocean Cultures and Heritage Programme and the Institute for Coastal and Marine Research (CMR) (Four Seminars)
Heritage is often perceived as the tangible artifact and legacy of culturally defined groups within a nation state. However, cultural heritage can be intangible, multiply situated and implicated in macrosocial and macroeconomic processes. Heritage is also diversely located. Our research thus far locates cultural heritage in institutional cultural practices, underwater, in natural sites, everyday coastal objects and food. The findings suggest that more holistic and decolonial approaches are needed for heritage conservation and management. Rapid and extensive coastal development have also drawn our attention, the construction of ports, mega ports and other urban infrastructure is impacting on coastal communities and heritage. In the following we offer brief presentations and reflections, as well as insight into our research and findings thus far, indicating the importance of social science in global ocean strategy and research.
Thursday, 22 September 2022 | 11:00 – 12:00 | Zoom platform
Seminar 1 - Theme: Ports, Mega Ports and Services
Please click here to access the recording of seminar 1.
Thursday, 22 September 2022 | 13:00 – 14:00
Seminar 2 - Theme: Underwater Cultural Heritage, Heritage in Maputo and Heritage in Namibia
Please click here to access the recording of seminar 2.
Friday, 23 September 2022 | 11:00-12:00
Seminar 3 - Theme: The Senses
Please click here to access the recording of seminar 3.
Friday, 23 September 2022 | 13:00-14:00
Seminar 4 - Theme: Capacity Building and Learning in Cultural Heritage Research
Please click here to access the recording of seminar 4.
Professor Erik Franckx
Lawyers and Scientists under the Law of the Sea: Transdisciplinary Ideal and Ensuing Practice
Monday, 19 September 2022, 13:00-14:00, Online and Venue (Hybrid event)
This talk intends to substantiate this general observation by looking more closely at how the introduction of science in the definition of the continental shelf started a long and tortuous journey for courts and tribunals trying to determine how best to cope with these scientific aspects when deciding the many maritime delimitation cases that were subsequently submitted to them by States wanting to settle, once and for all, particular maritime boundary disputes existing between them. Subsequently, the experience of the Advisory Body of Experts on the Law of the Sea (ABE-LOS), an organ created by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, which consisted precisely of a mix of scientists and lawyers and whose task it was to provide advice on the IOC’s role in relation to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, will be the focus of this contribution. In both instances, the relationship between science and law will be explored.
Prof Franckx's presentation is available via this link. Please click here to access the recording of his presentation.
Dr David Kaplan
Reducing plastic waste and other negative environmental impacts from drifting fish aggregating devices (dFADs) used by tropical tuna purse seine fisheries
Thursday, 18 August 2022, 12:00-13:00, Online and Venue (Hybrid event)
Tropical tuna purse-seine fishing vessels use an estimated - 100,000 drifting Fish Aggregating Devices (dFADs) per year worldwide to aggregate tunas and facilitate their capture. These man-made drifting objects are associated with a number of negative environmental impacts, including capture of juvenile tunas, higher bycatch rates, potential for ghost fishing and contribution to marine plastic debris and abandoned, lost or discarded (ALD) fishing equipment that can beach in sensitive coastal habitats such as coral reefs.
In this presentation, Dr Kaplan reviewed work that colleagues, collaborators and himself that finds viable solutions to these issues with a particular focus on reducing marine debris.
Dr Kaplan's presentation is available via this link. Please click here to access the recording of his presentation.
Dr Christo Rautenbach
Modelling of low- and high frequency sea level variability and their drivers around the southern African coast
06 June 2022, 13:00 - 14:00, Online and Venue (Hybrid event)
Recent surveys indicate that marine operational forecasting is becoming increasingly important due the pressure to manage impacts associated with our changing climate. The methods with which forecasts are being produced are also changing as computational power is becoming more accessible. Nevertheless, understanding and improving the incorporation of oceanographic dynamics, underpinning hind- and forecasting models, will remain fundamental to the accurate prediction of physical ocean and coastal dynamics. Numerous recent studies have investigated current and possible future Southern Ocean dynamics. However, these dynamics are under studied in the continental shelf areas of southern Africa. Dr Rautenbach presented on how his study aimed to address this knowledge gap and will report results of a methodical exploration of water level and wave dynamics in these waters.
Dr Rautenbach has completed two PhDs, the first in Applied Mathematics and the second in Physical Oceanography, with a broad range of numerical modelling experience. His main interests are coastal and ocean hydro- and wave dynamics. Dr Rautenbach has over 10 years experience as a senior scientist in the disciplines of operational physical oceanography, coastal engineering and coastal dynamics research. Dr Rautenbach is currently a senior scientist at the New Zealand, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Centre for Coasts and Estuaries and a Research Associate at the CMR.
Dr Rautenbach's presentation is available via this link. Please click here to access the recording of his presentation.
Prof Kerry Sink
Deep Secrets, Deep Forests and Deep Connections: Progress and Plans in Advancing Marine Ecosystem Protection in South Africa
30 March 2022, 13:00 - 14:00, Online and Venue (Hybrid event)
This presentation drew from 16 years of team work to improve marine ecosystem protection in South Africa. Prof Sink shared stories, imagery, and lessons from efforts to classify and map marine ecosystems, engage stakeholders and build the knowledge base to support the development of an effective and fair Marine Protected Area (MPA) network. These lessons included the value of systematic conservation planning, recognising, and addressing stakeholder complexity and the value of transdisciplinary research. Prof Sink has shared research results and plans from work undertaken through the African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme including cruises to sample proposed and established protected ateas, map and manage Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems and better address connectivity in MPA expansion efforts.
Professor Sink is a principal scientist and the marine programme manager at the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and serves as an associate professor at Nelson Mandela University.
Prof Sink's presentation is available via this link. Please click here to access the recording of her presentation.