SANBI Marine Programme

The SANBI Marine Programme works across the science-policy continuum to deliver on the marine aspects of SANBI's mandate as outlined in the Biodiversity Act i.e. monitor and report on the state of biodiversity in South Africa's marine territory, coordinate research, provide knowledge and information, give planning and policy advice and pilot best-practice management models in partnership with stakeholders.

The Marine Programme is also guided by the National Biodiversity Framework, as well as Outcome 10 of the President's Outcomes Approach delivery agreement with the Minister of Environmental Affairs.

What we do

SANBI's Marine Programme is uniquely placed to contribute to South Africa’s marine biodiversity sector. Our key strengths are:

• The ability to provide synthesized policy advice based on best available science from multiple sources
• The provision of independent co-ordinated science based advice to the Dept of Environmental Affairs (DEA) and the Dept of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF)
• The ability to leverage resources and data from a network of government and other role players through a managed-network approach
• A unique position in convening and co-ordination of stakeholders
• A unique approach in working across the traditional divides of science, policy and implementation

The focus areas of this programme, achieved through the SANBI managed-network, have included monitoring, planning, mainstreaming, information management and science-based policy advice.

Where we work

The Marine Programme works at a national level. South Africa's marine territory spans from the edge of the high water mark to 200 nautical miles offshore. This translates to an estimated area of 1,071883km².

Reason for our programme

SANBI's Marine Programme works to fulfill SANBI's role of monitoring and reporting on the status of the marine and coastal environment. The Marine Programme also works to coordinate communication and collaboration between government departments, non-governmental agencies, industrial bodies and all other interested and affected parties to ensure improved management of the marine and coastal environment.

Five high level objectives have been identified for SANBI’s Marine Programme:

1. Priority threatened marine species and ecosystems for South Africa are identified and monitored (both spatially and thematically)
2. Marine Biodiversity Information is collated and disseminated in an accessible form to researchers, planners, decision-makers and the general public
3. Innovative approaches for improved marine biodiversity management are piloted and mainstreamed
4. SANBI coordinates a collaborative cross-sectoral marine biodiversity programme
5. Science-based biodiversity advice and policy support is provided to DEA, DAFF & other stakeholders

What we have achieved

In 2011, the Marine Programme led the Marine and Coastal Component of the National Biodiversity Assessment 2011. This current assessment of the state of biodiversity in South Africa’s marine and coastal environment represents a milestone for marine biodiversity. Major new contributions include a new habitat classification, national habitat maps for the coast, ocean floor and the open ocean, a comprehensive review of pressures on marine and coastal biodiversity and a data driven assessment of biodiversity state for 136 habitat types.

Achievements in the areas of Planning, Assessment and Monitoring

• The Offshore Marine Protected Area (MPA) Project developed and collated a substantial number of data layers to identify focus areas for Offshore MPA establishment through innovative spatial analysis.
• The Reef Atlas Project engaged civil society in developing the first national map of reef ecosystems to feed into the National Biodiversity Assessment
• Made significant and rapid progress in developing the first draft national marine ecosystem classification and map. A revised more accurate digital coastline was produced.
• Developed maps that reflect the national pressures and threats to marine biodiversity for the first time. These maps include data for 11 fisheries sectors, diamond mining, petroleum, shipping, naval activities and more than 10 layers reflecting coastal pressures such as access and climate change.

Achievements in Piloting of innovative ideas and Mainstreaming

• Co-ordinated scientific advice to support a Biodiversity Action Plan that identifies thematic and spatial biodiversity priority actions in the De Beers Offshore Diamond Mining lease area.
• Partnered with DEA, DAFF & South African Environmental Observation Node (SAEON) in a collaborative research project with the oil and gas sector to build the biodiversity knowledge base to support decision making and biodiversity management for this important sector.
• Partnered with SAEON and the trawling industry to supporting the eco-certification of South Africa’s hake fishery through the development of a collaborative experimental closure on South Africa’s west coast

Achievements in the area of Information Management

• Substantial new marine & coastal spatial data sets have been developed and collated dramatically increasing the knowledge base to support spatial planning and MPA establishment.
• Developed an image database to collate more than 1000 images of marine threatened species and rare images of deep water ecosystems and species that rely on expensive technology accessed through offshore industry collaboration
• Collating of information to support assessment of marine species status
• Developing a digital linefish database & a collaborative project with DAFF & Oceangraphic Research Institute (ORI) to update linefish status reports and make this information accessible through websites

Achievements in the area of Science-based policy advice

SANBI has provided co-ordinated scientific advice, including to DEA, DAFF, Dept. of Mineral Resources and Protected Area agencies. Advice has centred on:

• Protected area planning and management
• Threatened species
• Supporting ecosystem-based management of fisheries through Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF), Biodiversity and other working groups
• Supporting ecosystem-based management in the diamond and petroleum mining sectors
• Supporting eco-certification of fisheries
• Supporting draft policies on aquaculture and small-scale fisheries
• Co-ordination of scientific review of SASSI list assessments
• advice was provided around introduced and invasive species, mariculture and bioprospecting

Who we are

The Marine Program is based in Cape Town at the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
Dr Kerry Sink – Marine Programme Manager
Telephone: 021 799 8855

Ms Prideel Majiedt – Marine Projects Manager
Telephone: 021 799 8826