Train-Sea-Coast provides a common methodology for training development and follows a systems approach to the development of training packages, and separates the course development team, the sources of expertise, and the delivery of the course. The Programme currently consists of seven Course Development Units located in South Africa, Brazil, Phillipines, Fiji Islands, Senegal, Turkey and Uruguay.

In South Africa the Benguela Current Course Development Unit was established in 1996 between the Universities of the Western Cape (UWC) and Cape Town with the International Ocean Institute of Southern Africa being the host institute at UWC. The TSC/Benguela Current CDU is associated with the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem project (BCLME), and is supported by the TSC Central Support Unit at UN/DOALOS in New York. The CDU develops courses, within the limits of its experience and access to expertise, as requested by the management of the BCLME in response to needs identified by project members.Since its establishment the TSC/Benguela Current CDU has developed and delivered a course on "Marine Pollution Control" to participants from South Africa, Namibia and Angola. This course is currently under revision with the assistance of the Subject Matter Experts who were involved in the development of the original course and it is envisaged that this course will be run again in 2005.During October 2004, Mr Phil Reynolds, contracted by the TSC Central Support Unit in New York, visited the offices of the BCLME Programme and the TSC/Benguela Current CDU at the University of the Western Cape with a mission to renewing the relationship between the Train-Sea-Coast Programme and the University of the Western Cape. At UWC, Mr Reynolds met with the Rector Prof Brian O'Connell, the Dean of the Science Faculty Prof Jan van Bever Donker, the Manager of the TSC/Benguela Current CDU Dr Kim Prochazka, the Head of the Biodiversity and Conservation Biology Department Mr pat Mclaren and his staff. As a result of this meeting, the University has renewed its commitment to this Programme.

    Train-Sea-Coast Programme   p.1
    Advisory Board
    congratulates IOI-SA               p.3
    Marine Biodiversity in
    Sub-Saharan Africa                p.3
    SACIC                                      p.3
    SADC MCS Regional Course
    Development Workshop           p.5
    Conference:Harmful Algae    p.6

During January 2004 Ms Jocelyn Collins, a trained TSC Course Developer, represented the TSC/Benguela Current CDU at the Coordinators Conference in New York. She presented the activities of this CDU as well as the constraints that impede further activities and the development of a new course (This has now been made possible by the recommitment from UWC).

At this time Ms Collins met up with Mr Robert Bechtloff from the newly established TSC/GPA, located in the Netherlands, to discuss the feasibility of delivering a course on Improving Municipal Waste Water Management in Coastal Cities in Southern Africa.

This process has been taken further and on 2-6 August 2004 IOI-SA will host the UNESCO-IHE - UNEP/GPA - UN/DOALOS/TSC training course. The course is available to municipal wastewater managers, municipal engineers, health officers, and representatives of NGOs and CBOs in southern Africa. Expressions of interest are currently being called for, and it is hoped to have 30 participants on the course. For further information on the pilot course visit the training website at www.gpa.unep.org/training.

Following this course, three staff of IOI-SA will attend the Training of Trainers for this course from 9-11 August in order to enable IOI-SA and the TSC/Benguela Current CDU to be able to offer this course again in the future.

Finally, the Train-Sea-Coast Programme and the work of the TSC/Benguela Current CDU were presented to other southern African countries at a recent BCLME Consultative Meeting on Training and Capacity Building in Windhoek, Namibia.

   Advisory Board 
congratulates IOI-SA

The Advisory Board of IOI-SA met on Wednesday 3 March 2004. The meeting was attended by the Chair, Prof. Brian O'Connell, the Honourable Rejoice Mabudafhasi, Prof. Jan Glazewski, Prof. Geoff Brundrit, Prof. Derek Keats, Dr Kim Prochazka and Ms Jocelyn Collins. After being informed of IOI-SA's progress toward its mission during 2003, the Advisory Board congratulated IOI-SA on the volume and quality of the work done over the past year. The Advisory Board discussed possible future directions for IOI-SA and agreed to assist IOI-SA in its ongoing efforts towards financial sustainability. A number of fundraising initiatives were discussed and will be followed-up before the next meeting of the Advisory Board planned for June 2004. IOI-SA would like to thank the members of the Advisory Board for their time and valuable assistance.

Marine Biodiversity in
Sub-Saharan Africa

The International Ocean Institute in Southern Africa (IOI-SA), together with the Southern African Institute of

Aquatic Biodiversity and the Zoology Department at the University of Cape Town, hosted a workshop on "Marine Biodiversity in sub-Saharan Africa: the Known and the Unknown" in the V&A Waterfront from 24-26 September 2003. The workshop was an initiative of the Census of Marine Life, and was supported by the Sloan Foundation and the National Research Foundation (NRF).

Forty-two delegates representing 12 coastal African countries attended the workshop. National presentations informed participants of the existing knowledge and capacity surrounding marine biodiversity within each country, and highlighted key gaps in our knowledge of this biodiversity on the African continent. The presentations also served to highlight the needs for increased human and infrastructural capacity for marine biodiversity research in Africa, and for more efficient communication and exchange of information between researchers in different countries. The last day of the workshop was dedicated to discussing these problems and seeking solutions to them. The outcome of these discussions was the establishment of a steering group to take the African marine biodiversity programme forward within the three major foci of filling key knowledge gaps, addressing shortfalls in human and infrastructural capacity, and ensuring efficient information exchange and communication between marine biodiversity researchers in Africa.

   SACIC

The South African Coastal Information Centre was initiated in November 2000 as a collaborative initiative between the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) and the International Ocean Institute-Southern Africa (IOI-SA). The SACIC was and will continue as a web-based platform, which disseminates environment-sensitive information to coastal authorities and the public, and in so doing raises awareness, increases appreciation, and contributes to the management of the South African coast, as prescribed by the White Paper for Sustainable Coastal Development in South Africa and the associated CoastCARE Programme.

The International Ocean Institute-Southern Africa and GIS Corporate Solutions (GISCOE) was awarded the second phase of the project in October 2003. The project could not start immediately as some

administrative matters had to be dealt with. The DEAT project manager, Mr. M. Zain Jumat also requested that IOI-SA and GISCOE do thorough planning before any work starts on the project. It was only after the completion of a business plan that the inception date for the project was set as 1 April 2004.

The focus of SACIC II will shift more towards the empowerment of coastal authorities, as opposed to the awareness raising and education of the general public of the previous SACIC. IOI-SA has identified a number of coastal authorities, which could benefit from the SACIC. The first step in this process will be to consult coastal authorities about their online needs in terms of information management or information dissemination. Hereafter, presentations will be made to coastal authorities showing the benefits of the SACIC using

existing tools and resources within the SACIC as an example. It is envisaged that SACIC could become a platform for a number of databases, GIS applications and websites, depending on the need of coastal authorities (stakeholders) and the availability of data. The increase in users will indirectly increase the profile of the project, as more users start to use the resources available at the website.

The new SACIC will also aim to make the new project a continuation of the existing project, by consolidating existing information and increased integration of the three segments (Education & Awareness, Coastal Maps, and CMO Projects). The project will also see the development of a new SACIC front-end/CMO interface and a news channel. The project will also specifically raise awareness of the coast and its importance at secondary schools.

The SADC MCS RegionalCourse Develepment Workshop

During February 2004, The International Ocean Institute Southern Africa, in collaboration with the University of the Western Cape, hosted a regional course development workshop on behalf of the Southern Africa Development Community's Monitoring, Control and Surveillance of Fisheries Programme (SADC MCS) on the UWC campus.

The workshop brought together stakeholders from regional training institutions and ministeries representing 5 countries within the SADC region, namely Angola, Moçambique, Namibia, South Africa and Tanzania.

During the workshop, deliberations revolved around the development of a standardized computer-based course for MCS observers and inspectors in the region. As the SADC Protocol on Fisheries urges it's member states to work towards harmonizing training in fisheries, it was important that relevant stakeholders, including academics and civil servants in the region, came together to develop the curriculum for a regional course.

The main outcome of the workshop was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by the representatives declaring their institutions commitment to the establishment of a regional consortium to work together to develop the regional course on Monitoring, Control and Surveillance of Fisheries in the Southern African region.

Activities decided upon by the Consortium formed through the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding included:

1. Development of common curriculum frameworks for the education and training of fisheries personnel;
2. Investigation into the forms of delivery and the technologies involved in delivering the course;
3. Development of common standards for competence evaluation and certification;
4. Joint provision of training, sharing of research materials and coordination and harmonization of training programmes;
   
5. Regional certification agreements to support reciprocal recognition of qualifications.

11th International Conference
on Harmful Algae

We are pleased to announce that the XIth International Conference on Harmful Algae will take place from 15-19 November 2004 in Cape Town, South Africa. This conference will be held under the auspices of the International Society for the Study of Harmful Algae (ISSHA) and the Phycological Society of Southern Africa (PSSA). An international conference on harmful algae is usually held every four years. This is the first time that it will take place in Africa.

The Scientific programme
Harmful algae and their toxins pose a growing global problem for human health, aquaculture, fisheries, seafood trade, tourism and recreation, and the aquatic environment at a time when human reliance on coastal zones for food, recreation and commerce is expanding. The conference will provide a broad forum for phycologists, microbiologists, toxicologists, physiologists, molecular biologists, aquatic biologists and managers to address and exchange research findings and perspectives concerning all aspects of toxic and harmful algae.

Contributions are invited to address the following topics:

1. Taxonomy and biogeography of harmful algae
2. Population dynamics of harmful algal blooms
3. Eco-physiology, biochemical and pharmacological aspects of algal toxins
4. Monitoring and management of harmful algal blooms.

The official language of the conference will be English. Papers will be selected on the basis of originality, content, merit, clarity of presentations and interpretations. The organizing committee reserves the right to assign these to oral or poster presentations depending on the programme needs. Proceedings will be published and made available to participants as part of the registration fee. Round table discussions on current issues are planned.

Deadlines:
Early Registration      15 August 2004
Late Registration       14 October 2004
Abstracts                  31 May 2004

Host country:
South Africa is known as “a world in one country”. It combines the wilderness of Africa with the infrastructure and technology of the developed world. It has a natural and cultural diversity rarely equalled in the world. The 3000km coastline encompasses a striking variety of marine environments. South Africa is justifiably famous for its well-managed game reserves and wilderness areas.

Cape Town is a city of 3 million people and a major world tourist destination. The surrounding Cape Peninsula comprises over 100km of scenic mountain chain, sun drenched beaches, and the highest concentration of flowering plant species in the world.

Cape Town International Convention Centre:
The new Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) is located on the Foreshore of the Cape Town Business District.

Hotels will be situated either within or across the street from the CTICC or a 10 minute buss ride away (busses will be provided) in the V&A Waterfront area. Delegates will be given a choice of 3, 4 or 5 star hotels. Accommodation details to follow on the web site. Cape Town is a truly beautiful city with so much to offer visitors.

Climate:
Summer in Cape Town is sunny and mild, with average daytime temperatures of 24ฐC and cooler nights. Rain is unlikely, but visitors can expect fresh south-easterly winds. The days are long, giving delegates time to enjoy the beautiful sunsets and the environment after conference hours.

Mid-conference excursions:
There will be tour operators available to offer delegates tours including tours of the scenic Cape Peninsula with optional attractions en route, boat trips to Robben Island or Seal Island, a guided walk in Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden; a walk on Table Mountain, wine lands tours, and scuba-diving.

If you would like to follow your own itinerary before or after the conference, you are welcome to contact the secretariat for further information.

Passport and visa requirements:
Visitors from all nations are welcome in South Africa but must have a valid passport and usually need a visa. Please consult your travel agent or a South African Embassy well in advance regarding visa requirements. More details and forms will be available on the web site.

Currency:
At present the exchange rate is about US$ 1 = R7.30 (South African Rand), and is very favourable for international visitors. All bank facilities are available nearby, and major credit cards are widely accepted.

Second Circular:
Please watch the website for the Second Circular details and Registration Form, Abstract Form and Hotel Booking Form. The Second Circular will include full details on the Conference and will be available on the web site, and all relevant information for planning your attendance

International Advisory Committee:
Don Anderson – USA
Karen Steidinger – USA
Hendrik Enevoldsen – Denmark
Stephen Bates – Canada
Adriana Zingone – Italy
Gustaaf Hallegraeff – Australia
Edna Graneli – Sweden
Patrick Gentien – France
Jane Lewis – UK
Lincoln MacKenzie – New Zealand
Sandra Shumway – USA
Yasuwo Fukuyo – Japan
Arturo P Sierra-Beltran – Mexico
Takeshi Yasumoto – Japan
Beatriz Reguera – Spain
Loenardo Guzman – Chile

Organising Committee:
Chair: Grant Pitcher
Committee:
Desiree Calder
Linda Joyce
Trevor Probyn
Stuart Sym
Secretary/Treasurer:
Elizabeth Danckwerts
Contact Details
The Secretariat
ICHA 2004
P.O. Box 2760
Clareinch 7740
South Africa
Telephone:  +27 21 683 5522
Mobile  +27 824687504
Fax:  +27 21 674 3269
E-mail: aecon.e@mweb.co.za
Website:www.botany.uwc.ac.za/pssa

Please use the web site to keep up to date on conference developments.

11th International Conference on Harmful Algae's Sponsors:

 

 

 
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission

 
Phycological Society of Southern Africa

 

Department of Environmental Affairs

 

IOI-SA:  Mission statement

The International Ocean Institute, Southern Africa (IOI-SA) promotes the peaceful and sustainable use of ocean space and resources in a southern African context by facilitating sustainable livelihoods of coastal people through awareness creation, education, information dissemination, research, and community initiatives.

Our goals include:

Environment research, awareness,
Sustainable livelihoods supporting research, community initiatives, mariculture,
Awareness - computer technology
Education, training, capacity-building

IOI-SA achieves its goals through its 4 programmes:

Education through Technology,
People, Oceans and Coasts,
Biodiversity,Conservation & Environmental Assessment
IOI-SA Online Services

Contact:

The Secretary:Tanya Potts
Tel: +27 21 959 2594
Fax: +27 21 959 1213
Email:tpotts@uwc.ac.za

Enquiries:
Editors:	Tanya Potts Tel. +27 21 959 2594 tpotts@uwc.ac.za Deidre Bester Tel. +27 21 959 3782 dbester@uwc.ac.za
Graphic Design:	Jody Munnik Tel. +27 21 959 2074 jmunnik@uwc.ac.za