Management of Estuaries in South Africa

Short Learning Course

Zinkwazi Lagoon Lodge, KwaZulu-Natal

2 - 4December 2014

Time / Topic
DAY 1 – Tuesday, 2 December 2014
10:00 – 10:30 / Registration & tea/coffee on arrival
Welcome & housekeeping (including handouts)
10:30 – 11:45 / The value, structure and function of estuaries (incl. group discussions)
11:45 – 13:00 / Activities threatening estuaries (incl. group discussions)
13:00 – 14:00 / Lunch
14:00 – 15:30 / Legislation and estuaries (incl. group discussions)
15: 30 – 16:00 / Tea
16:00 - 16:30 / Case study –Thukela River mouth
Completion of group assignments
DAY 2 – Wednesday, 3 December 2014
8:30 – 10:30 / Governance and management: National Estuary Management Protocol
10:30 – 11:00 / Tea
11:00 – 13:00 / Introduction to management tools: Estuary Management Plans
Monitoring techniques (brief theory)
12:30 – 13:30 / Lunch
13:30 – 17:00 / Monitoring techniques (field work) – Thukela River mouth
18:00 - / Social (braai)
DAY 3 – Thursday, 4 December 2014
8:30 – 10:30 / Monitoring techniques
10:30 – 11:00 / Tea
11:00 – 13:00 / Evaluation and Reporting
12:30 – 13:30 / Lunch
13:30 – / Completion of assignments, course evaluation & closure

SCOPE

There are approximately 300 estuaries along South Africa’s coastline and many have become focal points for development in the coastal zone. Issues such as the increased abstraction and pollution of fresh water in river catchments, an increase in the number of holiday and residential homes and growing industrial zones all contribute to the pressure being placed on estuaries. As the intensity of resource utilisation increases the need to promote the equitable, efficient and sustainable use of estuary-associated goods and services increases.

Managing estuaries involves an understanding of how estuaries function, the goods and services that they provide and activities that threatens them. The sustainable use of these dynamic systems can only be achieved through sound governance and management practices. The Management of Estuaries in South Africa course aims to introduce participants to useful management tools and was designed in response to a need to manage the estuarine environment effectively, considering issues such as managing freshwater resources and the integrity of estuaries and their functionality. The course details the development of an Estuary Management Plan as required by the Integrated Coastal Management Act.

TARGET PARTICIPANTS

The course willbeheldatZinkwaziLagoon Lodge, KwaZulu-Natal,and willcater for estuary managers in the area as well as othersinterested in the details of Estuary Management Plans (EMP’s) and monitoring techniques.

COURSE CONTENT

  • Value, structure and function of estuaries
  • Threats to estuaries
  • The ecological reserve and determining the freshwater requirements of estuaries
  • Legislation and estuaries
  • Investigating the details of an Estuary Management Plan
  • Field trip to Thukela River mouth; estuary sampling and monitoring approaches

The course is run as a Short Learning Programme at the NMMU and is fully accredited. Participants who successfully complete the three day course are issued with official NMMU certificates.NB – The registration deadline is 21 November 2014. Participants trying to register after this date will not receive an NMMU course certificate.

For enquiries and registration please contact:

Gavin Snow; E-mail:

Cellphone:084-603-5548

Registration form

NB – Workshop limited to the first 40 applicants

Title
Name
Surname
Race (for statistical reporting)
Gender (for statistical reporting)
Identity number*
Postal address (where certificate will be posted to)
Telephone number
Cellular phone number
E-mail address
Name of place of employment
Position
Dietary requirements
Participation in Days 1, 2 & 3 (course certificate) / Yes / No
If attending one day only (attendance certificate), which day? / Day 1 / Day 2 / Day 3

* Please remember to attach copy of identity document / drivers licence / passport.

Important

Please make your own transportand accommodation arrangements. There will be limited accommodation available at Zinkwazi Lagoon Lodge (; 032-485-3344) and the nearby Ocean Reef Hotel (; 032-485-3776).