South Africa proposes 22 New MPAS

The South African Department of Environmental Affairs has recently announced the proposal to proclaim 22 new Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) all along South Africa’s shores, and invited the public to comment on the concept.

The aim of the new MPAs is to increase the area of ocean biodiversity that is protected from the current scale – less than 1% – to about 5%, says Zolile Nqayi, Director of Communication for the DEA.

Click here to read article on these proposed MPAs.

Applications for National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Councils

The U.S Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce (DOC). seeks applications for vacant seats for five of its 13 national marine sanctuary advisory councils (advisory councils). Vacant seats, including positions (i.e., primary member and alternate), for each of the advisory councils are listed in this notice under Supplementary Information. Applicants are chosen based upon their particular expertise and experience in relation to the seat for which they are applying; community and professional affiliations; views regarding the protection and management of marine or Great Lake resources; and possibly the length of residence in the area affected by the sanctuary. Applicants who are chosen as members or alternates should expect to serve two or three year terms, pursuant to the charter of the specific national marine sanctuary advisory council.