The Saint Blaize Conservancy have started a reef monitoring project and is anxiously awaiting the arrival of specialist equipment in two weeks time, which will enable them to do accurate water testing in addition to recording the numbers and varieties of species of marine fauna inhabiting Mossel Bay's reefs.
"Everyone involved is extremely grateful to the Garden Route Casino Community Trust for their support. This equipment will be invaluable to the success of the reef monitoring project," says Karen Claxton of the St Blaize Conservancy.
Garden Route Casino Community Trust also funded the Environmental Education Course. "From this course came the realisation that there is an urgent need to conduct regular and sustained monitoring of our local reefs in order to evaluate their overall condition and to be able to identify potential threats to them as quickly as possible. A healthy and balanced marine environment is of the utmost importance both in environmental, social and economic terms," says Claxton.
Work has started on building up a network of interested individuals and groups, including local divers and dive operators, fishermen, sailors and kayakers who are keen to get involved.
Mossel Bay Yacht and Boat Club is serving as the base for this initiative. "The St Blaize Conservancy would like to extend an invitation to all interested individuals or groups to join this project. Divers are particularly encouraged to get involved. This is a wonderful opportunity for the community to become involved in helping protect our reefs for future generations," says Karen.
They are also hoping to involve divers from as far as George and Knysna and hope that this wonderful initiative will rub off on other coastal communities to achieve a better understanding and appreciation for all the reefs along the South African coastline.
For further details please contact Mike Keet on 083 578 7530, Karen Claxton on 071 554 5587, Rhenia Niemand on 083 324 3875 or Eddie Kroed on 082 895 9796.
A recent clean up conducted by divers at Skurwebankies. The St Blaize Conservancy is calling on all divers to help monitor, and thus protect, Mossel Bay's reefs.
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