Minister Edna Molewa calls for comments on the gazetted National Coastal Management Programme of South Africa, in terms of section 44(2) of National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act, 2008 (No.24 of 2008)

From: South African Department of Environmental Affairs

30 May 2014

The Minister of Environmental Affairs, Ms Edna Molewa has today, 30 May 2014, published for public comment under section 44 (2) of the National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management 2008 act. (No.24 of 2008) inGazette No. 37682

Planning Sans Data: Our Development Dilemma (International Tribune)

International Tribune

Although we plan and envision a lot at the government level, complete with impressive-looking dossiers of documents, the plans almost always lack adequate data and background research.

The biggest example of the apathy towards authenticated data is that the government has not been able to conduct a ‘census’ since 1998. We have no idea how many of us actually are there. Instead, we rely on estimates and guestimates for most of the studies and development plans.

Blue growth: Innovating for a sustainable use of our oceans (European Commission Press Release)

Maria Damanaki 

European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries

European Maritime day

Bremen, 19 May 2014

Dear Ministers, Dear Mayor, Mr. Groote, ladies and gentlemen,

Let me start by expressing my heartfelt thanks to Bremen, and the German Federal government, for hosting this event in this very maritime city – what a spectacular environment, and what a welcome you have provided for us. In fact, it would be difficult to imagine a place more appropriate than Bremen to discuss Blue Growth, maritime technologies and innovation.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Human uses data from NOAA/BOEM workshops (State of Washington)

From: State of Washington

We are excited to announce that the Human Uses Participatory Mapping data is up and running on the MSP mapping application! The workshops were used to collect spatial data on the full range of human uses of the ocean through consultation with use experts, community stakeholders, and cultural use practitioners.

Through the workshops and data products, the team created data to assist in understanding use patterns, hotspots, conflicts, and compatibilities of uses in the marine waters. The effort was lead by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Ocean Uses team with support from the Bureau of Ocean and Energy Management (BOEM).
View the full Ocean Uses Map Book.
View the data in the MSP mapping application.