News

News

Rogue helicopter causes havoc to marine life at Mercury Island

A blue, foreign-registered helicopter bearing the identification 5YBXE attempted to land on Mercury Island last Thursday (22 April 2010) along the southern coast of Namibia, and in the process destroyed hundreds of nests of our most endangered seabirds.

Following this manoeuvre, the helicopter landed on the beach across the bay in the Namib-Naukluft National Park near the Otavi wreck and disturbed the seal colony there.

Mercury Island is the jewel of the newly proclaimed Namibian Islands’ Marine Protected Area (NIMPA) and is the most important breeding site for many endangered species. This tiny island (3 hectares of steep rock) is an internationally recognized Important Bird Area (IBA) and is home to tens of thousands of seabirds.

Nearly three quarters of the world population of the rare and endangered Bank Cormorant breeds on Mercury Island at this time of the year and more than 300 nests of this species were destroyed in a matter of seconds, with eggs and young chicks hurled into the sea by the powerful draught of the helicopter rotor. 

Mercury Island also supports the largest Namibian colony of African Penguins (and the third largest worldwide). The African Penguin is endangered in Namibia and being reclassified worldwide as endangered following a drastic decline throughout its range. Again many nests of this species were lost, while panicking moulting penguins ended up in the sea (during their annual moult penguins are land bound as they lack insulation to cope with the cold seawater, and going to sea at this stage can have dire consequences for their survival).

The Cape Gannet only breeds at six colonies in the world (three in Namibia and three in South Africa) and is endangered in Namibia and vulnerable worldwide. Mercury Island holds the second largest Namibian colony of this species and in the panic caused by the helicopter chicks not yet able to fly ended up in the sea. Thousands of Cape Cormorants took to the air in a mass aerial stampede.

This helicopter was probably on a sightseeing tour from one of the luxury guest lodges bordering the Namib Desert. Not only did this tour cause major environmental damage, but the pilot also clearly disregarded basic air safety rules by flying low and attempting to land on a seabird island.  A bird striking a helicopter turbine or tail rotor can cause the complete destruction of such an aircraft in seconds. In addition to disturbing and killing many protected and endangered seabirds, this pilot also put his and his guests’ lives at risk.

The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, with the help of the NACOMA project, has worked very hard over the last years to protect the sensitive habitat of our endangered seabirds and the NIMPA. Namibia’s first Marine Protected Area, was proclaimed by Cabinet decision only a year ago (16 February 2009) and it was officially launched on 2 June 2009 at Lüderitz.

The Marine Resources Act specially protects all seabird species in Namibia and it is also illegal to disturb seal colonies. Through the regulations of the Directorate of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Works and Transport, it is illegal for an aircraft to fly at low altitude over National Parks and proclaimed nature reserves, let alone entering a National Park without a permit.

NACOMA therefore requests the Directorate of Civil Aviation to thoroughly investigate the pilot’s blatantly illegal, destructive and irresponsible conduct and to ensure that such incidents are prevented in future for the sake of our environment and not least for passenger safety. 

Our marine and coastal environment is unique but also very fragile and sensitive, says Mr. Rod Braby, Coordinator of NACOMA. The project is assisting the Namibian Government in developing policies and conservation measures to ensure the preservation of biodiversity and sustainable use of our coast for the benefit of all present and future generations.

This catastrophic incident (probably the most damaging to Mercury Island in decades) highlights the necessity of having adequate policies and legislation in place and enforced. A high level of awareness and respect to our entire sensitive natural heritage should be observed.

Human development poses biggest threat to Damara Tern breeding

Human development poses the biggest threat to the Damara Tern along the Namibian Coast as it is causing major losses to the breeding habitat of the Damara Tern, while off-road driving also impacts negatively on the breeding success of the bird.

According to a research article, The Damara Tern: What we know and what we don’t, issued by the Namibian Coast Conservation and Management (NACOMA) project, various colonies have become extinct due to development in areas where they previously nested. The significance of this is underlined that an estimated total of only 2 500 breeding pairs to be found along the Namibian coast.
 
The breeding colony of at least 32 pairs that bred at Dolphin Beach between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund is now extinct due to the developments of Eco-village and Afrodite Beach. These developments occurred during the breeding season of 2005 and resulted in direct losses of eggs and chicks. No terns breed in this area anymore.

The largest and supposedly most protected colony, at Caution Reef, between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay is under threat because of proposed developments. If development occurs in this dense breeding area, the number of young additions to the global population will decrease substantially.

Justine Braby, scientist and author of the article, states that if human beings cannot understand the simple intrinsic value of all creatures, whether great, like the African Elephant and Blue Whale, or small, like the Damara Tern, Namibia will go on losing biodiversity.

The Damara Tern is integral to the near-shore marine ecosystem, although its role within it is not yet fully understood. As such the importance of preserving this species is a prime example of a wildlife conservation objective to promote the co-existence of all organisms so that the biological diversity in natural systems can be maintained.

The diminutive bird has an average mass of 51 g and a wing length of only 17.3 cm. In full breeding plumage the Damara Tern has a black cap and is gray on its back, wings and tail, with a white breast and belly. Its bill is slightly curved, black with a section of orange/yellow at the base. In non-breeding plumage, the Damara Tern loses its predominant black cap, which becomes mottled grey and blackish brown with a white forehead.

The bird predominantly feeds by plunge diving for food. It locates a prey (usually a small fish), hovers and dives to retrieve it. Damara Terns feed in sheltered bays, lagoons and estuaries, in the shallows and within and beyond the surf zone. The bird’s diet consists mainly of small fish and crustaceans.

Damara Terns are mostly migratory, with a very small population (fewer than 100) resident in southern Africa all year round. Around September and October Damara Terns start arriving at their breeding localities in Angola, Namibia and South Africa.

About 98 percent of all Damara Terns breed along the Namibian coastline, where the productivity is highest because of the Benguela Upwelling System.

After the breeding season the adults and the small percentage of surviving chicks fly northwards on a 4 000 - 5 000 km journey to the west African coastline countries such as Cameroon, Nigeria, Benin and Ghana. Recent captures and sightings of ringed individuals have added valuable information to Namibia’s growing knowledge of the movements of this little seabird.

The breeding population between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay has been the most important in terms of conservation and breeding density. This breeding area holds a minimum of 160 breeding pairs, most of which show fidelity to this area. This breeding area is managed, protected and monitored every breeding season.

North of Swakopmund breeding populations have been heavily disturbed by off-road driving and their breeding success is negligible, especially due to the breeding areas west of the main coastal road, which are continuously driven over by vehicles accessing the beach.

Durissa Bay, 15 km south of the Skeleton Coast Park border, holds a significant breeding population, but the breeding here is affected by a high density of predators, including Black-backed Jackals, Pied Crows and Brown Hyenas. There were sizable breeding populations within the Skeleton Coast Park, but these colonies have not been monitored since the early 1990s.

Breeding colonies in the Sperrgebiet south of Lüderitz are generally small, with the largest colony at Marmora Pan, 250 km south of Lüderitz (maximum of 55 pairs). Two colonies exist north of Lüderitz, which are significant in terms of breeding numbers, namely Hottentot Bay, and Meob Bay.
The breeding areas that are most affected by off-road driving, or have been in the past, stretch from Sandwich Harbour (arguably even as far south as Meob Bay) north to the border of the Skeleton Coast Park. Even in areas south of this, within the Sperrgebiet and the recreational areas around Lüderitz, are vulnerable to off-road vehicles.

The introduction of a management plan in 2001, which allowed for the demarcation of conservation areas between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, resulted in the protection of several protected endemic species under threat including the Namaqua Chameleon and the Damara Tern.  Other endemic species under threat include the Palmato Gecko, Peringuey's Adder, Namib Sand Snake, skinks, wheel spiders, spore spiders, scorpion, beetles and rodents.

Results of this measure could be seen the very next breeding season, with the Damara Tern’s breeding numbers and success more than doubling after the barrier was erected.

However, antagonism towards fencing and prohibiting entry into the breeding areas still exist. Since 2001 during every season there have been sporadic occurrences of people collapsing fences and rushing through areas on quad-bikes, motocross bikes and off-road vehicles, with nests containing eggs or chicks being crushed by this or tracks coming within centimeters of active nests.

The work on protection of the species is supported by Rio Tinto, BirdLife International, Namdeb and NACOMA.

Off-road drivers may no longer enter the off-road area in the dunes south of Swakopmund via the Swakop River.

Off-road vehicles may only access the specially designated off-road area in the centre of dune belt between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay through the demarcated corridors opposite Langstrand, Dolfynstrand and Dune 7. 

At a recent meeting of the Contingency Management Meeting at Long Beach it was reiterated that the Swakop River and the adjacent dunes are not an off-road vehicle area.

The committee, consisting of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET), Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, the Erongo Regional Council, the municipalities of Walvis Bay and Swakopmund as well as the Coastal Tourism Association of Namibia and adventure sports operators, addresses specific environmental problems in the dune belt between the two coastal towns.

The committee pointed out that access to the dune belt through a corridor used by Desert Explorers and Outback Orange (on the old road next to the Swakop River bridge) was granted as a temporary measure to the public.  However, certain off-road drivers abused this privilege by consistently illegally driving outside of the demarcated corridor. Also the flags and signs were damaged that are intended direct traffic through the least sensitive areas. In addition off-road drivers drove into areas especially designed to protect the rich biodiversity and endangered species of the area. 

As a result, the corridor that starts at Desert Explorers and runs along the Swakop river bridge will be closed to off-road vehicles except for those with a concession agreement. 

Off-road drivers are reminded to obtain the required permit and to abide by all MET rules and regulations. Driving off-road outside of designated off-road vehicle zones without a concession agreement is strictly prohibited and violators will be fined and prosecuted by rangers and wardens of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism supported by members of the Namibian Police. 

A Strategic Environmental Assessment for the Coastal Areas of Erongo and Kunene Regions, In January 2008, highlighted the importance of the Swakop River, the adjacent dunes and gravel plains as one of the most biodiversity rich areas on Namibia’s coast.  This area is considered to be of the highest conservation priority.

As a result of unchecked off-road driving in the Swakop River, the nearby dunes and gravel plains, several protected endemic species are under threat. These include the Namaqua Chameleon, Damara Tern, Palmato Gecko, Peringuey's Adder, Namib Sand Snake, skinks, wheel spiders, spore spiders, scorpions, beetles and rodents.

Vehicles are only allowed in the Swakop River east of the Rössmund Golf Club, except for quad bikes and motorcycles, which are strictly prohibited in the Swakop River. Horse riding, bicycling, walking and jogging is permitted in the Swakop River and adjacent areas unless it is specifically not permitted in demarcated and signposted exclusion areas (e.g. Damara Tern breeding sites, lichen fields, private property).

Permits and maps of off-road vehicle areas can be obtained at the MET offices in Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, Desert Explorers in Swakopmund, Dare Devil Adventures at Langstrand, and Dune 7 Adventures at Dune 7.

Government officials learn about integrated coastal zone management

Government officials, who would have to ensure that Namibia’s coast is managed in an integrated way in future, are currently equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills during a series of capacity building coursbeing ees, at the coast and in Windhoek. Politicians will be sensitized on the unique coastal environment through appropriate high-level seminars and study tours.

One of the key deliverables of the Namibian Coast Conservation and Management (NACOMA) Project is to build the required capacity, train and sensitize political decision makers, managers and officials in Ministries, the coastal Regions and Municipalities. They should be able to manage the Namibian coast in an integrated and sustainable way, ensuring that the coastal biodiversity is conserved through co-management and that socio-economic development takes place in harmony with the natural resources in order to cater for today and the future.

A limited understanding of coastal biodiversity and linkages to development planning and management had been identified as some of the shortcomings among government officials, said Mr. Rod Braby, Coordinator of the NACOMA project.  Also, uncoordinated sectoral efforts and weak, fragmented communication between the various stakeholders are limitations towards better-integrated coastal management.

With the assistance of a group of coastal environmental and planning experts, the project started with a series of training courses in June, aimed at the various government levels, ranging from politicians down to operational and technical staff, according to Mr. Ignatius Kauvee, the Training Coordinator.

He said various courses are being offered in this first round and they will carry on well into October this year. The attendees are also taken on field trips to learn about the problems and issues the coastal environment has to deal with as well as to see about the unique and sensitive flora and fauna being found there.

Mr. Kauvee said the presenters are experts in Integrated Coastal Zone Management from Namibia, South Africa and the USA and topics range from Sustainable Development Tools, Strategic Planning, Governance, Resource Economics to Data Analysis and Management.

Coastal zones throughout the world have historically been among the most heavily exploited areas because of their rich resources. In many coastal countries half of the population live in the coastal zones while migration from the inland areas is increasing.

In Namibia a smaller percentage of the population is living at the coast, but as in other coastal countries there is a sharp conflict between the utilization of the resources and their sustainability over the long-term. In some countries this conflict has reached critical stages due to severe pollution, the degradation of fish resources, watersheds or wetlands being drained.

A management approach to maintain or restore coastal resources through good governance has been proposed in international agreements and adopted worldwide called: Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM), According to the Guidelines for Integrated Coastal Zone Management by Jan C. Post and Carl. G. Lundin, ICZM is a process of governance and consists of the legal and institutional framework necessary to ensure that development and management plans for coastal zones are integrated with environmental (including social) goals and are made with the participation of those affected.

“The purpose of ICZM is to maximize the benefits provided by the coastal zone and to minimize the conflicts and harmful effects of activities upon each other, on resources and the environment.”

“The coastal zone is often subject to overlapping governance of local, provincial (regional) and central governments, resulting in interagency conflicts and unclear policy concerning resource development and management and environmental protection.”

Namibia is already close to a national coastal policy, which will among many issues address ICZM, said Mr. Braby. A Coastal White Paper for Namibia is another deliverable by the NACOMA Project.

The coastal Green Paper, preceding a White Paper and the eventual National Coastal Policy, has been launched a week ago. The Green Paper document is an outline of the key findings, the need for a Coastal Policy, a Vision for the coast, and principles, goals and objectives for coastal governance. It also presents the options for institutional and legal arrangements towards implementing these options.

Mr. Braby said the Green Paper the result of an extensive process of public consultation and specialist studies, followed by the Ministry and the Namibian Coast Conservation and Management Project since the policy formulation process started in early 2006.

He said it is envisaged that the White Paper would be completed towards the end of this year after which the endorsement by Cabinet and implementation would take place towards the end of 2010 or beginning of 2011.

ESSAY COMPETITION FOR GRADE 10 AND 11 LEARNERS

If you were the President of the Republic of Namibia, what would you do to protect our coastal environment? The Namibian Coast Conservation and Management (NACOMA) project poses this challenge to Grade 10 and 11 learners from the Kunene, Erongo, Karas and Hardap regions to enter essays into its competition with excellent rewards and wide-ranging awareness raising.

The NACOMA project under the auspices of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism has decided to extend the closing date for entries from 28 February till 30 April 2010. Mr. Rod Braby, Coordinator of the project, said    learners need more time to do extensive research and to suggest practical solutions.

Mr. Braby said Grade 10 and 11 learners should write essays of about 500 words on how they would safeguard the coastal biodiversity and environment. They would have to highlight the threats facing the Namibian coast and propose actions and policies to preserve the life in and on the beaches, the desert, wetlands, riverbeds and sea.

Mr. Braby pointed out that the essay competition would also support and create further awareness on the coast as the United Nations proclaimed 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity with the slogan: Biodiversity is life, biodiversity is our life. (International Day of Biodiversity = 22 May 2010)

On its dedicated website (http://www.cbd.int/2010/about/) the United Nations states that this year should be “a celebration of life on earth and of the value of biodiversity for our lives”. The world is invited to take action in 2010 to safeguard the variety of life on earth.

Mr. Braby said the hyper-arid Namibian coastal ecosystem is home to a significant and unique array of biological and ecological diversity, including uniquely adapted plants and animals, rich estuarine fauna and a high diversity of migratory shore and seabirds. In particular, Namibia’s coastal zone is considered as a refuge for a number of endangered species.

• The winning essay will be published in Flamingo, Air Namibia’s in-flight magazine, and the winner will receive N$ 1000 from Venture Publications, publishers of the magazine. The winner will also go on a guided tour in the dune belt between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, sponsored by Living Desert Adventures.

• The second placed writer will receive an amount of N$500 and a similar desert trip for two persons by Tommy’s Tours, while the learner in third place will get N$250.00 and a three-hour marine boat trip for two persons from Walvis Bay, sponsored by Levo Dolphin Tours and Chalets.

• Mr. Braby said the project would shortly disseminate more information about the competition and where to do research, to all coastal secondary schools. They may also visit the project’s website: www.nacoma.org.na

  Grade 10 and 11 learners at the coast are urged to commence with their research and start writing. They should submit their entries in hard copies, titled Essay Competition, plus contact details, to the NACOMA project office in Swakopmund (Sam Nujoma Avenue, Standard Bank Building, 1st Floor, Room 8) or mail it to P.O. Box 7018, Swakopmund on or before 30 April 2010.

Government officials receive certificates for training in Integrated Coastal Management

The Namibian Coast Conservation and Management (NACOMA) project and the University of Namibia on last Friday (12 February 2010) at Langstrand handed over certificates to representatives of line Ministries, the Coastal Regional Councils and Local Authorities for the successful completion of short courses in Integrated Coastal Management.

Officials from the Ministries of Environment and Tourism, Fisheries and Marine Resources; Regional and Local Government and Housing and Rural Development; Mines and Energy; the Regional Councils of Kunene, Erongo, Hardap and Karas; as well as the municipalities of Walvis Bay, Swakopmund, Henties Bay, Lüderitz, Arandis and relevant village councils attended various short courses at the coast and in Windhoek from June till October last year.

A total of 307 certificates will be handed over at the work place of the officials who were trained in Integrated Coastal Zone Management, Resource Economics, Governance in Integrated Management, Tools for Sustainable Coastal Management, Data Management and Data Analysis and Strategic Planning.

One of the key deliverables of the Namibian Coast Conservation and Management (NACOMA) project, under the auspices of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism is to build the required capacity, train and sensitize political decision makers, managers and officials in line Ministries, the coastal Regions and Local Authorities to manage the Namibian coast in an integrated and sustainable way in future.

The politicians and officials will have to ensure that the coastal biodiversity is conserved through co-management and that socio-economic development takes place in harmony with the natural resources.

Mr. Ignatius Kauvee, Technical Advisor of the NACOMA project, and who acted as Task Manager of the training, said the consultancy team consisted of the University of Namibia, University of Cape Town and the Polytechnic of Namibia, while the presenters were experts in Integrated Coastal Zone Management from Namibia, South Africa and the USA.

Mr. Kauvee said the training would assist the politicians and officials in thinking and operating in a more integrated way between the various authorities, ensuring intergovernmental, spatial, science discipline integration.

The coastal zone is often subject to overlapping governance of local, regional and central governments, resulting in interagency conflicts and unclear policy regarding resource development, management and environmental protection.

Coastal zones throughout the world have historically been among the most heavily exploited areas because of their rich resources. Although a small percentage of the population of Namibia is living at the coast, there is a sharp conflict between the utilization of the resources and their sustainability over the long-term.

A management approach to maintain or restore coastal resources through good governance has been proposed in international agreements and adopted worldwide called: Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM).

Mr. Kauvee said the training will expanded further by means of further short courses, high level seminars, research, study tours, online courses and Integrates Coastal Management conference as well as post-graduate studies. The training will also be evaluated to improve the curricula and presentations.

During the handing-over ceremony at Langstrand certificates in Basic and Advanced Computer Training as well as in First Aid Training were also handed over to Wardens and Rangers from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism.

Public should speak out on name: Namib National Park

We understand that the public should express its opinion on Namib National Park, being proposed as the name for the central coastal region. What area are we talking of?
This is the area between Sandwich Harbour and the Ugab River, which is known as the West Coast Recreation Area. This area will be proclaimed as a national park early in 2010, and is proposed to be called the Namib National Park.

There are other parks at the coast as well? Do they fit together?
Yes. The Namib National Park will together with the national parks of the Skeleton Coast, the Namib Naukluft and the Sperrgebiet form the greater Namib Skeleton Coast National Park, also a proposed name.

We are talking of two naming options. Where do they come from?
The Ministry of Environment and Tourism considered various naming options for the greater coastal park. The Namib Skeleton Coast National Park was considered to be the most practical and most representative for the entire area and the Namib National Park as the most appropriate name for the central region.

How big will this greater national coastal park be?
The Namib Skeleton Coast National Park stretches along the total Namibian coastline of 1,570 km and extends inland from as narrow as 25 km in the north to 180 km in the Namib Naukluft area, covering a total area of 10 754 000 hectares or 107,540 km2.

This sounds very large? How does the size compare wtih the areas of national parks elsewhere?
This greater national coastal park will be the 8th largest protected area in the world, the 6th largest terrestrial protected area globally and the biggest park in Africa. Namibia will thus become the first continental country to boast about its total coastline being protected by means of the Namib Skeleton Coast National Park. Together with Namibia’s first Marine Protected Area, the coast will protect nearly 12 million ha of land. This Marine Protected Area stretches along 400 km off the Sperrgebiet and Namib-Naukluft areas and about 30 km into the sea. It covers an area of 1,2 million ha and includes all Namibia’s islands. With the proclamation of further Marine Protected Areas, the total protected coastal area could increase to 14 million ha.

How may the public comment on the two proposed names?
The public should please to send their comments to the Namibian Coast Conservation and Management (NACOMA) Project, under the auspices of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism. It should be forwarded to the Coordinator of the project, Mr. Rod Braby, on rbraby@nacoma.org.na. The comments should reach the project before the end of January 2010.

What will happend to the comments?
The Ministry of Environment and Tourism will be proposing the names to Cabinet and it would be good to include public support and comments in the proposal. More information on the extended park can also be found on the website: www.nacoma.org.na

The seriousness and commitment with which various government and private stakeholders approach the conservation, sustainable development and integrated management of the coast’s natural resources is being reflected by the nearly one million Namibian Dollars contributed to ensure that the damage to the environment is limited to the minimum during the December holiday.

During a media conference yesterday at Swakopmund, Mr. Rod Braby, Coordinator of the Namibian Coast Conservation and Management (NACOMA) Project, said not only did civil society donate its time and efforts but various concerns have contributed financially or have been responsible for obtaining financial support from elsewhere. The money is being used in various ways to ensure that the damage caused to the coastal environment is far less than the previous December holiday season.

Since the inception of the NACOMA Project in 2006, the private sector has donated over N$2.5 million to further the cause of conservation and sustainable development.

The following organisations have contributed significantly to assisting the MET this season: Rio Tinto (Rössing Uranium Limited); BirdLife International (Rio Tinto – Partnership Action Fund); Levo Tours; Fantom Film – Reel Media; Namib Film; Living Desert Tours; Tommy’s Tours; Desert Explorers; Key Plan; Areva; MTC; Walfish Electric; Ndongo Toyota; Dare Devil Adventures; Dune 7 adventures; Outback Orange; Rentec; The Municipalities of Walvis Bay, Henties Bay and Swakopmund; the Erongo Regional Council; Roads Authority; Wesbank transport; Baard Transport; and Salz Gossow.

The media have also contributed significantly especially One Africa TV; the Namib Times; the Republikein and NBC. The value in Namibian dollars of their contribution is N$193,000.

During the media conference, Dr. Hu Berry, world-renowned scientist and Eco-Tourism Operator, underlined the significance of conservation, the responsible and sustainable utilisation of the natural resources.

He said the pressures on the coast’s natural resources are mounting. These include an ever-increasing population with corresponding demands for employment, education, health services and housing. More and more tourists are visiting Namibia. In 2008 approximately 900 000 tourists visited the country, with Swakopmund and the surrounding coastline becoming the most-visited location in Namibia, surpassing the Etosha National Park.

The advent of large-scale uranium mining in the Erongo Region and its coastline is bringing additional pressure on the basic elements of water, air, soil and energy, while climate change will have significant effects on the Namib and its coastline, he said.

Mrs. Merrilyn Leippert, Chairperson of the Coastal Tourism Association of Namibia, pointed out that the tourism industry largely derives it livelihood from the coastal environment. Nearly 18 000 people are directly or indirectly employed by the tourism sector at the coast. If each of them would take care of three dependents, a large number of people would be relying on the income from this sector.

Mrs. Leippert called on all Namibians to act responsibly by taking care of the coastal environment, and thereby ensuring that the tourism industry could further develop the coast as a world-renowned destination. She emphasised the importance of visitors showing respect for the environment and adhering to the off-road rules during the December recess.

During the media conference the 2009/2010 edition of the magazine, Conservation and the Environment in Namibia, was launched. It was published by Venture Publications from Windhoek.  A total of in-depth 32 articles, richly illustrated with colour photographs, highlight the significance of the Namibian coast as a national heritage. The 56-page magazine is available free of charge at the offices of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism at Swakopmund, Lüderitz and Walvis Bay as well as the NACOMA Project in the Standard Bank Building at Swakopmund. It will also be available at Namib I, Sam Cohen Library and various accommodation establishments along the coast.

International Coastal Clean Up Day - 18 & 19 September 2009: Namibian learners collect more than 3 tons of rubbish on beaches

With 1 570 kilometres of coastline, Namibia participated in the world’s largest clean up. Last year, nearly 400 000 volunteers collected more than 6.8 million pounds (over 3 million kilograms) of trash in 104 countries during the 2008 International Coastal Cleanup.

A total of 450 learners from nine schools in the Erongo and Karas regions took to the beaches on September 18th and 19th to participate in the 24th annual International Coastal Clean up, the largest volunteer effort of its kind in the world. They covered a total of 23 km of beach and lagoon shores, and in just 3 to 4 hours, collected a staggering 3 530 kilograms of rubbish.

The learners represented Kamwandi Junior Secondary School in Henties Bay, Westside High School and Tamariskia Primary School in Swakopmund, Duneside High School, De Duine High School, Tutaleni Primary School and Duinesig Combined School in Walvis Bay, and Lüderitz Secondary School and Diaz Primary School in Lüderitz.

At Lüderitz, the Deputy Mayor, Councilor Perscah Mafale opened the event and relayed a message from the Minister of Environment and Tourism, Ms. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, that was also shared with learners in the other coastal cities.

In her statement, the Minister congratulated the learners, saying “Caring for the Coast, Caring for the Future, stated by logo of the Coastodian awareness-raising and education campaign, is being embodied by you as learners, the youth, Namibia’s future. You are setting the example by participating in this worldwide coastal clean up. It is quite ironic, though, that most of the pollution and rubbish, if not all, were caused and left along our coast possibly by adults, the very people who should know better.”

The learners completed data forms indicating exactly what items were collected. These forms will be submitted on their behalf by NACOMA project to the Ocean Conservancy NGO, the international organizers of this event. With this information, the Ocean Conservancy can assess a trend in marine pollution.

The information will also be helpful on a national level as we work together to keep our coastal area clean. In Namibia, the most numerous items collected were plastic bags, glass and plastic beverage bottles, fishing nets/fishing lines, cigarette buds/filters, ropes and condoms.

The business community also supported the clean up. In Walvis Bay, Indongo Toyota helped organize the clean up. Mr. Willem Baartmann, General Manager of Indongo Toyota, described the activity has a huge success and challenged other businesses along the coast to arrange similar events not only on this particular day but also throughout the year.

Smith Sales and Services donated strong nylon bags while Pick’n Pay in sponsored lunch bags for the learners in Swakopmund and Henties Bay. The Spar Lüderitz sponsored drinks for all learners in Lüderitz. All municipalities provided black rubbish bags and collected all rubbish. NACOMA sponsored Coastodian T-shirts or caps for every participant.

The Honourable Minister of Environment and Tourism, Ms. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, ended her statement to learners with a reminder to all Namibians: “Your efforts to clean up the coast show your fellow Namibians what can be achieved. It demonstrates that the collection of rubbish should become a priority, while the first priority should remain: we all should refrain from littering and polluting our coast.’

Don’t forget that when on the beach or boating; bring your rubbish back home! You arrive at the beach with full bags, bottles, tins and containers, it should be easy enough to take the empties home, she exclaimed.

The Honourable Minister of Environment and Tourism, Ms. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, ended her statement to learners with a reminder to all Namibians: “Your efforts to clean up the coast show your fellow Namibians what can be achieved. It demonstrates that the collection of rubbish should become a priority, while the first priority should remain: we all should refrain from littering and polluting our coast.’

Don’t forget that when on the beach or boating; bring your rubbish back home! You arrive at the beach with full bags, bottles, tins and containers, it should be easy enough to take the empties home, she exclaimed.


For more information, you can download the International Coastal Clean Up Data Card and Guide to Marine Debris (documents from the Ocean Conservancy NGO) and the message by the Honourable Minister of Environment and Tourism, Ms. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.

We want to give a special acknowledgement to the 160 learners of Lüderitz who cleaned the beaches and lagoons under a terrible strong wind! (Photos from G. Mauney)

The documentary film "The Namib Desert Coast" was officially launched on 30 July at the cinema of the Swakopmund Hotel & Entertainment Centre in Swakopmund. Around 85 persons attended the premiere. The film was screened on TV in August at the following dates:
   - NBC TV:
   Sunday 2 August 2009 at 17h30
   Sunday 9 August 2009 at 21h30
   - One Africa TV:
   Sunday 2 August 2009 at 18h30
   Thursday 6 August 2009 at 17h30
The film will be again on TV in December 2009 for the holiday season.

The film can be screened on this website on the page Film: "The Namib Desert Coast" under the section Our Coast.

Government officials learn about integrated coastal management

Government officials, who would have to ensure that Namibia’s coast is managed in an integrated way in future, are currently being equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills during a series of capacity building courses, at the coast and in Windhoek. Politicians will be sensitized on the unique coastal environment through appropriate high level seminars and study tours.

One of the key deliverables of the Namibian Coast Conservation and Management (NACOMA) Project is to build the required capacity, train and sensitize political decision makers, managers and officials in Ministries, the coastal Regions and Municipalities. They should be able to manage the Namibian coast in an integrated and sustainable way, ensuring that the coastal biodiversity is conserved through co-management and that socio-economic development takes place in harmony with the natural resources in order to cater for today and the future.

A limited understanding of coastal biodiversity and linkages to development planning and management had been identified as some of the shortcomings among government officials, said Mr. Rod Braby, Coordinator of the NACOMA project.  Also, uncoordinated sectoral efforts and weak, fragmented communication between the various stakeholders are limitations towards better-integrated coastal management.

With the assistance of a group of coastal environmental and planning experts, the project started with a series of training courses in June, aimed at the various government levels, ranging from politicians down to operational and technical staff, according to Mr. Ignatius Kauvee, the Training Coordinator.

He said various courses are being offered in this first round and they will carry on well into October this year. The attendees are also taken on field trips to learn about the problems and issues the coastal environment has to deal with as well as to see about the unique and sensitive flora and fauna being found there.

Mr. Kauvee said the presenters are experts in Integrated Coastal Zone Management from Namibia, South Africa and the USA and topics range from Sustainable Development Tools, Strategic Planning, Governance, Resource Economics to Data Analysis and Management.

Coastal zones throughout the world have historically been among the most heavily exploited areas because of their rich resources. In many coastal countries half of the population live in the coastal zones while migration from the inland areas is increasing.

In Namibia a smaller percentage of the population is living at the coast, but as in other coastal countries there is a sharp conflict between the utilization of the resources and their sustainability over the long-term. In some countries this conflict has reached critical stages due to severe pollution, the degradation of fish resources, watersheds or wetlands being drained.

A management approach to maintain or restore coastal resources through good governance has been proposed in international agreements and adopted worldwide called: Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM), According to the Guidelines for Integrated Coastal Zone Management by Jan C. Post and Carl. G. Lundin, ICZM is a process of governance and consists of the legal and institutional framework necessary to ensure that development and management plans for coastal zones are integrated with environmental (including social) goals and are made with the participation of those affected.

“The purpose of ICZM is to maximize the benefits provided by the coastal zone and to minimize the conflicts and harmful effects of activities upon each other, on resources and the environment.”

“The coastal zone is often subject to overlapping governance of local, provincial (regional) and central governments, resulting in interagency conflicts and unclear policy concerning resource development and management and environmental protection.”

Namibia is already close to a national coastal policy, which will among many issues address ICZM, said Mr. Braby. A Coastal White Paper for Namibia is another deliverable by the NACOMA Project.

The coastal Green Paper, preceding a White Paper and the eventual National Coastal Policy, has been launched a week ago. The Green Paper document is an outline of the key findings, the need for a Coastal Policy, a Vision for the coast, and principles, goals and objectives for coastal governance. It also presents the options for institutional and legal arrangements towards implementing these options.

Mr. Braby said the Green Paper the result of an extensive process of public consultation and specialist studies, followed by the Ministry and the Namibian Coast Conservation and Management Project since the policy formulation process started in early 2006.

He said it is envisaged that the White Paper would be completed towards the end of this year after which the endorsement by Cabinet and implementation would take place towards the end of 2010 or beginning of 2011.

After the first ICM training courses, further training in Sustainable Development Tools (EIA/SEA in particular), Strategic Planning, Governance, Resource Economics and Data Management / Analysis will take place until end of October 2009. For further details, please consult the training schedule table below and contact Ignatius Kauvee, the NACOMA Training Coordinator (081 124 4477 or ikauvee@gmail.com).

SCHEDULE OF NACOMA TRAINING COURSES FOR 2009

Namibia is a giant step closer to its own coastal policy

Namibia is a giant step closer to having its own coastal policy, a framework of joint decisions by government and civil society of how this sensitive stretch of land and sea should be managed to ensure that its biodiversity is preserved and that sustainable development takes place in harmony with the natural resources.

Towards a Coastal Policy for Namibia, the Green Paper document that precedes the White Paper in the policy formulation process, was launched at a media conference and information session in Windhoek yesterday (Tuesday, 21 July 2009).

The Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Mrs. Erica Akuenje, emphasized that the Green Paper is the result of an extensive process of public consultation and specialist studies, followed by the Ministry and the Namibian Coast Conservation and Management Project since the policy formulation process started in early 2006.

“We went to ask the people how they want to see their coastal area used. We asked them what is important for them. We asked them to come up with a vision of how they want their coastal area to be used, now and in the future. Government can make laws, but in a democratic society like ours we want to ensure that the laws we make, reflect the needs and desires of our people.”

Mrs. Akeunje said the Namibian government valued the inputs and opinions of the public and will continue to do so. “Based on those needs and aspirations, we can refine this Green Paper into a policy. When we have a policy, we will all be in agreement about the direction we are moving in, and we can make laws to ensure that this will happen. It will be the people’s policy endorsed by Government.”

Dr. Francois Odendaal, general facilitator of the policy formulation process, said the Namibian coastal areas provide enormous benefits to its people and offer opportunities for future economic and social development. He stressed, however, that the natural resources should be used in a sensible way for generations to come. “If you don’t use it wisely, you could lose it forever.”

The rich Namibian coastal ecosystems are extremely fragile and vulnerable to human activities. If the many human impacts are allowed to remain unchecked and the coastal resource use continues in an unplanned way, it may result in a long-term disturbance and impairment of ecological functioning. The result would be a reduction of the economic potential of the coast. “We need to plan how to use and manage our coastal resources sustainably”, Dr. Odendaal underlined.

The Green Paper document provides an outline of the key findings, the need for a Coastal Policy, a Vision for the coast, and principles, goals and objectives for coastal governance. It also presents the options for institutional and legal arrangements towards implementing these options.

The contents of the Green Paper are not set in concrete. It should stimulate constructive debate, which will contribute towards the formulation of a Coastal White Paper, stipulating Namibia’s future policy directions on coastal management and governance. The eventual Coastal Policy will, after approval and endorsement by Cabinet be implemented through appropriate institutional and legal means.

It is hoped and envisaged that the White Paper should be completed towards the end of this year after which the endorsement and implementation would take place towards the end of 2010 or beginning of 2011.

Hard copies of the Green Paper document is available from the coastal offices of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, offices of the Directorate of Environmental Affairs in Windhoek, the municipalities of Walvis Bay, Swakopmund and Lüderitz as well as the NACOMA Project in Swakopmund.


For more information you can consult the section of this website dedicated to Policies & Laws and consult the Green Paper report below:

First Marine Protected Area leads way to more along Namibian Coast

The proclamation and launch of Namibian Islands’ Marine Protected Area marks the first milestone for further similar areas along Namibia’s coast as part of the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management, to be implemented by 2010.

During the official launch last Thursday at Lüderitz (2 July 2009), the Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR), Honourable Kilus Nguvauva, said “Namibia can strive to be a forerunner in the African region, when it comes to stewardship of creation, and making the world a safer, better and healthier place”.

“With this in mind, as well as the legal commitments we are bound by, we should regard this first MPA (Marine Protected Area) as a pilot project, in order to apply successes, challenges and lessons learned to further areas that will benefit from protection. Examples could include offshore hake management areas, as well as the two coastal, World Heritage Sites at Sandwich Harbour and the Walvis Bay lagoon.”

The Namibian Islands’ Marine Protected Area covers almost one million hectares of marine and sea area where 10 small islands and 8 more islets or rocks provide sanctuary to an astonishing variety of life. This area stretches over 400 km from Meob Bay, north of Lüderitz, to Chaimas Bay south of the harbour town and 30 km into the Atlantic Ocean. It maintains essential ecological and life support systems, ensuring the sustainable utilization of species and ecosystems and preserving biotic diversity.

Seabirds and seals dominate the islands’ flora and fauna. Of the 14 seabird species breeding in Namibia, 11 species breed on the islands and inshore rocks including Namibia’s endangered African penguins and 90 per cent of the world’s endangered Bank Cormorants.

Breeding in the waters of the Namibian Islands’ Marine Protected Area are the southern right whale and Heaviside’s dolphin, with the humpback whale migrating, while the dusky dolphin, the mink whale and killer whale or orca can be seen here regularly.

The islands are biodiversity hotspots, zoogeographic transition zones and internationally known as globally Important Bird Areas. They also provide for the collection of oceanographic and biological data regarding climatic effects and changes, and the response to these by the marine environment.

The islands should ensure the protection of the following:

      • Spawning and nursery grounds of the commercially important rock lobster and promotion of the       recovery of some fish stocks, notably Silver kob (kabeljou) and steenbras, and other marine       resources,
      • Cetaceans such as the hump-back, southern right and minke whales, as well as our special       Heavyside to breed and feed,
      • Seabird colonies that breed on the islands and forage in the surrounding waters and a number       of globally threatened species of the Benguela Upwelling Ecosystem, as well as those of other       red data species, such as the critically endangered sea turtles.

Mr. Nguvauva said the MPA would assist authorities to maintain and improve vigilance regarding risks posed by shipping-related threats, such as oil spills.

The proclamation of the MPA illustrates Namibia’s real, serious and powerful commitment to international environmental treaties, regional and national needs, and international law.

He expressed his hope that this first MPA would also draw much-deserved attention to the community of Lüderitz, in the Karas region, especially in the face of ever-changing, economic and environmental climates. The marine resources should be preserved and utilized effectively for the benefit and health of all Namibians, now and in the future.

Mr. Rod Braby, Coordinator of the Namibian Coast Conservation and Management Project (NACOMA), said the proclamation of the first MPA has ‘championed’ the integrated approach to coastal management. It involved a team effort from the start which included major role players such as the line ministries, regional and local authorities, the private sector and non-governmental organizations.

“The link between the Namibian Islands’ Marine Protected Area and the recently proclaimed Sperrgebiet National Park and the Namib Naukluft National Park creates a land-sea link that promotes co-management between the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources and regional and local authorities to work with the required synergy to reach a common objective.”

Wit the number of protected areas being proclaimed Namibia will have the largest connected protected area network in Africa and the 8th largest in the world. Namibia would also be the only continental country in the world that has its entire coastline protected, Mr. Braby said.


For more information you can consult the section of this website dedicated to the Marine Protected Areas, consult the Namibian Island's Marine Protected report under the Reports & Publications or download the pamphlet and poster below:

Project Coordinator

We would like to welcome the new NACOMA Project Coordinator, Rod Braby. He was previously the NACOMA Senior Technical Advisor and he is now taking over the Project Coordinator position after the departure of Timo Mufeti in February 2009.


Senior Technical Advisor

As Rod Braby took over the Project Coordinator position, the Senior Technical Advisor (STA) position was advertised in June 2009. Selection committee will take place in July and the new STA is expected to start at NACOMA by end of August 2009.


Project Assistant

After the mid-term review of NACOMA project by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism and the World Bank, its was agreed that a new Administrative Assistant position called Project Assistant will be created with an up-graded profile to improve Project Coordination Office delivery. The new Project Assistant is expected to start at NACOMA office by mid-July.


Monitoring and Technical Specialist

After the mid-term review of NACOMA project by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism and the World Bank, its was agreed that a new Monitoring and Evaluation Expert position called Project Monitoring and Technical Specialist will be created as a full-time position to improve Project Coordination Office delivery. Nathalie Cadot will occupy this position for a period of 6 months (June-December 2009). She was previously the French Junior Technical Assistant.

Project Coordinator

After almost 4 years working for the Ministry of Environment and Tourism on its NACOMA project, Timo Mufeti resigned from the Project Coordinator position in January 2009 and move back to Windhoek where he is now working for the Millennium Challenge Account. Please find below, some words from Mr. Mufeti.

To colleagues, partners, associates and all coastal stakeholders, I have relocated back to Windhoek from Swakopmund on 13 February 2009. My relocation to Windhoek means that I am no longer working at the NACOMA Project. I therefore would like to take this opportunity to thank and give my heartily appreciations for all your involvement and contributions to the NACOMA Project. Your input has made huge difference towards the sustainable management of our coast. Our coast is unique in all means, fragile, yet it possesses some unpallared economic and conservation potentials, which if managed effectively and efficiently, will benefit our country for now and in future. I urge you to continue your support and to scale up your contributions now that our goals and objectives for sustainable development of our coast are on sight and around there corner.

I would like also to thank you all for your personal and professional support to me during my time at NACOMA. The Namibian Coast have and will have a special place in my heart for ever, and as such, I will be around and available to make my contributions to its sustainable management when possible and necessary.
Regards,
Timo Mufeti

The Project Coordinator position was advertised in February and a selection committee took place end of March 2009. The name of the new coordinator will be announced soon.

We deeply thank Mr. Timo Mufeti for his contribution in the protection and sustainable use of our unique and precious coast. We wish him all the best for his new start in Windhoek.


Administrative Assistant

After the mid-term review of NACOMA project by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism and the World Bank, its was agreed that a new Administrative Assistant position called Project Assistant will be created with an up-graded profile to improve Project Coordination Office delivery. To apply for this position, please consult the section Jobs & Consultancies.


Monitoring and Evaluation Expert

After the mid-term review of NACOMA project by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism and the World Bank, its was agreed that a new Monitoring and Evaluation Expert position called Project Monitoring and Technical Specialist will be created as a full-time position to improve Project Coordination Office delivery.


French Junior Technical Assistant

The contract of the French International Volunteer, Nathalie Cadot, seconded by the French Embassy in Namibia through its French Support to the Namibian Decentralisation Process project is completed and new funding to continue this position is sought after.

The Green Paper of the Coastal Policy for Namibia is being finalised and will be published beginning of May 2009. An official launch will take place mid-May 2009.

The consulting firm EcoAfrica has been contracted to develop the Coastal Policy for Namibia. A Policy adviser, Cormac Cullinan from Enact was also recruited to support the Government in this critical phase. More detailed information about the process and the next steps for 2009 will be posted on this website in few weeks.

The report on the visioning process for the Coastal Policy is available in this website in the section Reports & Publications.

SEA for the coastal areas of the Hardap and Karas regions

The consultant team of DHI, started in August 2008 with several meetings in Windhoek, Swakopmund, Mariental, Keetmanshoop and Lüderitz.. Further workshops took place end of November 2008 - beginning of December 2008 in Windhoek, Keetmanshoop, Luderitz and Oranjemund to collect more data and information. The first draft SEA is now available on this website section Reports & Publication. Please consult this draft study report and sent your comments to Rod Braby: rbraby@nacoma.org.na

A workshop in Lüderitz focused on socio-economic development associated with the two towns of Oranjemund and Lüderitz will take place in the coming weeks. This workshop will be advertised on this website once the date is agreed.


Implementation of SEA recommendations on the Kunene and Erongo Coast

The Southern African Institute for Environmental Assessment (SAIEA) was contracted to implement key recommendations of the SEA for the coastal areas of the Erongo and Kunene regions, in order to improve conservation management on the Kunene and Erongo Coast.

The SEA found that conservation management of coastal areas needed to be improved, particularly for areas such as the Walvis Bay Nature Reserve, and the area of land between Walvis Bay and the Ugab River.

For this purpose SAIEA considered best-practice management planning methodology in producing Management and Development Plans (MDPs) for the coastal National Parks, considering socio-economic needs and conservation priorities. Management and Development Plans have been produced for the following areas of the proposed greater Namib-Skeleton Coast National Park:
- Central Area
- Skeleton Coast Area
- Namib-Naukluft Area
These are available for viewing on this website section Reports & Publications.

The MDPs were formulated with a great deal of input from stakeholders. Input from interested and affected individuals and organizations from industry, conservation, tourism, government, NGOs and the public at large has been incorporated into the MDPs, and consensus has been reached on zonation of areas along the Erongo and Kunene coast for specific uses (e.g. quad-biking, eco-tourism, industrial development, protected sensitive environments).

Draft regulations for activities within the coastal parks were formulated and tested during the December 2008 season, and an evaluation of the test period led to the refinement of the regulations during January 2009.

These 3 MDPs will be finalised in the coming months. The MPD of the central area will support the proclamation of a new National Park between the Ugab River and the Kuiseb River expected by the end of the year.


National coastal profile

The consulting firm Raison has been contracted in April 2009 to compile and publish an environmental profile of the Namibian coast and summaries per coastal region. The task will start with a first draft of the Kunene region coastal profile. The National coastal profile is expected to be publish by the end of 2009.

Following cabinet approval on 2 September 2008, the Marine Protected Area (MPA) gazette was drafted in collaborative efforts between the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources and the Ministry of Justice. The gazette officially proclaiming the first Namibian MPA called Namibian Islands’ Marine Protected Area was printed and published at the Government printers on 16 February 2009, and is now contained in Government Gazette notice no. 4210, in terms of section 51 of the Marine Resources Act, No. 27 of 2000. An official launch of this MPA will take place soon.

This protected area, between Meob Bay and Chamais Bay with a superficie of 11 800 km² includes most of the offshore islands, such as Hollamsbird, Mercury, Ichaboe, Seal, Penguin, Halifax, Possession, Pomona, Plumpudding and Sinclair islands, as well as islets and rocks within two to three nautical miles offshore.

"The Marine Protected Area will improve vigilance with regard to risks posed by shipping-related threats, such as oil spills, and enhance Namibia's international relations by illustrating steadfast commitment to international environmental treaties, regional and national needs and requirements and international law," the Cabinet briefing paper stated.

This first Marine Protected Area will be co-managed by the Ministries of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Environment and Tourism, Mines and Energy and related bodies.

NACOMA project will continue to support the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources in particular for developing the management plan and regulations of this first MPA, training courses for MPA staff, a public awareness campaign, and for proclaming other Marine Protected Areas.

Resource book for learners and teachers about the Namibian coast - COASTODIANS: Caring for our coast, Caring for our future

Integrated Environmental Consultants Namibia (IECN) was contracted to develop a school resources about our coast and its resources. With the collaboration of Ginger Mauney and Nicky Marais, this resource book for learners and teachers about the Namibian coast named COASTODIANS: Caring for our coast, Caring for our future has been finalised in February 2009.

This resource book about the Namibian coast will be used as a basis for the awareness activities in the selected coastal schools.

You can download this resource book on the section Reports & Publication. To obtain hard copies, please contact NACOMA office in Swakopmund.


Film about the Namibian coast: Namib Desert coast

Francois Odendaal Production (FOP) was contracted to develop an educational film presenting the Namibian Coast, its biodiversity, the multiple uses of its resources, and the reasons for its conservation and sustainable development. The film Namib Desert Coast is being finalised and will be officially launch in June 2009.


Diverse

Following the request by the Honourable Minister during the launch of the Coastodian Awareness Campaign on 31 July 2008 in Walvis Bay, NACOMA project organised a workshop on environmental affairs for journalist on 26 & 27 January 2009 at the Rossmund Golf Club in Swakopmund.

The objectives of this workshop were:
• To explain the structure, functions and objectives of MET to enhance a better understanding of the    Ministry;
• To establish a working relationship between environmental journalists and MET. Here they would    be requested to air their views about access or lack of access in obtaining information and    responses from the Ministry;
• The outcomes from the above bullet could form the basis of a communication policy, liaison    procedures as well as who the spokespeople of MET should be;
• To expose the environmental journalists to various new topics/issues or those that need more    elaboration;
• To provide environmental journalists with lots information for articles and follow-ups for 2009; and
• To open up the workshop on any topic the journalist would like to discuss there or in the future.

This workshop was well attended by all kind of Namibian media (press, TV and radio) and appreciated by the Ministry and the media practitioners. This kind of information sharing session is deeply welcomed and is encouraged by the media.

The capacity building and training activities have not progressed well in 2007 and 2008 mainly due to the lengthy development of the NACOMA Training and Capacity Building Strategy and Action Plan (TCB SAP).

The University of Namibia, through the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation was hired in August 2008 to review and implement the NACOMA TCB SAP. The baseline study was redone and the TCB SAP reviewed to guide the implementation of various TCB interventions such as short and specialized training, high-level seminars (policy-makers and politicians), online training courses (management and technical level) and in-service mentorships (technical level). Now the TCB SAP is finalised and you can consult it under the section Reports & Publication of this website.

Thematic experts have been selected in March 2009 for the envisaged short and specialized training courses. Three training events will be conducted per theme from mid-April to December 2009.
High level seminars in the thematic areas: (i) Overview of ICZM, Environmental Management and Biodiversity conservation including governance for ICZM; (ii) Overview of Sustainable development tools; (iii) Overview of Strategic planning and Integrated development planning will also be conducted in 2009. Speakers will be invited from countries widely known for established ICZM programmes such as Tanzania, South Africa and the United States of America. The remaining TCB interventions will be implemented as the need arises untl mid 2010.

The TCB interventions will be adverstised on this website. For more information and detail, contact the Training and Capacity Building Coordination Team.

Visioning workshops to solicit input and feedback on the draft Green Paper were conducted in the four coastal regions, as well as Windhoek.  A total of 8 workshops were held from 23 October until 30 October 2008.  A total of 176 attended these workshops which now brings the total number of people who have attended workshops to 1730.

In almost all the workshops, less than 10% present had attended the previous visioning workshops. However, after briefing the audience on the policy process, it became evident that the policy process is now in a mature stage and that people now understands the whole process much better.

During the Green Paper feedback workshops the categories of issues which emanated from the previous visioning workshops were explained and discussed in detail  These issues include: education, awareness, and capacity building; community and public participation; grassroots involvement; specific management issues; management authority systems; social responsibility, youth development; land ownership and access to coastal lands, and access to coast; the need to have infrastructure and basic services; multiple use, planning, and zoning; conservation; mining, economic opportunities; sustainable options for fulfilling essential future energy and water needs; transparency and simplicity; strategies for sustainability; tourism; culture; geographic reach of the policy (must cover land and sea); and environmental health.

In Kunene and Hardap regions it was again emphasized that access to the coast is a huge problem and that it should be strongly addressed through the coastal policy.

In practically all the meetings it was again reiterated that the policy should aggressively address the taking of corrective action in the transformation of economic opportunities to previously disadvantaged people.

In addition the four management options, stipulated in the draft Green Paper, were also discussed.  These options are:
   (a) Namibian Coastal Coordinating Commission – establishment of a Coastal Management           Agency
   (b) Assignment to an existing planning, budget or coordination office – i.e. National Planning           Commission or Ministry of Finance
   (c) Designation of an existing line ministry to act as lead ministry – Ministry of Environment and           Tourism, establishment of a Coastal Management Committee (CMC)
   (d) Creation of strategic alliances with a nation lead agency – Ministry of Environment and           Tourism, through a CMC in alliance with other relevant ministries.

In most meetings, people opted for option (a), but also stressed that a proper legal framework should be establish in order to deal with perpetrators accordingly.  In some meetings people opted for options (b) and (c) to be combined.

The draft Green Paper is available on this website on the page section Reports & Publication.

Final Green Paper will be available by end of January 2009.

Implementation of SEA recommendations on the Kunene and Erongo Coast - Development of Park Management and Development Plan

In early 2008, the Cabinet of the Republic of Namibia decided to proclaim the area between the Kuiseb Delta and Swakopmund as well as the area between Swakopmund and the Ugab River as national parks. This was the first step as part of a bigger effort to improve the management and conservation of the habitats and biodiversity of the coastal area.

It has therefore been decided that a forward-looking Management and Development Plan be compiled for the entire coastal area. This would apply to a bigger park stretching from the Kunene River down to Orange River and which would get a name decided upon by Cabinet after consultations. Through this plan, we will consolidate the Skeleton Coast, the current National West Coast Tourist Recreation Area, the area between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, the Namib Naukluft Park and the Sperrgebiet Area, into one of the world’s largest and most prestigious National Parks.

The area where human activities are most prominent and peak during the December/January holiday season is between Sandwich Harbour in the south and the Ugab River in the north. It is now refered to it as the Central Area of the greater Coastal National Park.

After years of studies, expert inputs and extensive consultations, consensus has emerged between conservationists, the public and developers about the need to balance conservation, recreation, tourism and industrial development along our coast. Based on this consensus, a Management and Development Plan for the Central Area of the greater Coastal National Park has been compiled (the draft Management and Development Plan for the central coast can be downloaded on this website under the section Reports & Publication). This plan sets out the vision, objectives and guidelines for the management and development of the park. The plan reflects the policies and intentions of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources and our many collaborating partners. Once approved, the plan and its accompanying regulations will be the ultimate authority for the park. The plan is also dealing with the zoning of the park for recreational use and conservation as well as concessions that will be issued for the utilization of areas set aside for organized recreational use.

However, the Ministry of Environment and Tourism has delayed adoption of the plan because they would like additional public comment and input. This coming holiday season provides an opportunity for further consultation and the Ministry thus invites Namibians, investors, visitors and all other stakeholders the plublic meetings organised along the coast. It is the opportune moment for holidaymakers and visitors who live inland and even outside Namibia, and perhaps did not have their chances to participate in this process. The following public meetings will take place:

In early 2009, the plan will be reviewed in the light of public input and then submitted to Cabinet for approval. Thereafter the Central Area will be gazetted a national park, as part of the greater Coastal National Park.

Which areas are open to the public and what rules will be in force? The Ministry of Environmenta wants to specifically focus on quadbikes and motorbikes, since users of these vehicles have in the past caused much public inconvenience and harm to the desert environment.

Quadbike or two wheel motorbike riders need to adhere to following rules.

Quadbikes and motorbikes (other than registered tour operators) are only allowed off proclaimed roads in the following four areas:
1. The central part of the dunes between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay (a permit must be obtained)
2. An area to the east of Swakopmund, between the Usakos/Swakopmund tar road and the railway line and he C34 and Deblin Lead Mine (no permit needed)
3. The coastal area between Swakopmund and Henties Bay, but only west of the coastal road, and then only on the beach and existing tracks (no permit needed)
4. In the riverbed of the lower Omaruru River, from the beach to a point 10 km inland (no permit needed).

Recreational quadbikes and motorbikes must be transported by trailer to the authorized areas.

Other off-road vehicles Anglers, residents and holiday-makers driving “normal” vehicles (cars, 4x4s, bakkies, beach-buggies) may access the entire area from Kuiseb Delta to the Ugab River, as long as they stay on proclaimed roads, the beach and/or existing well-used tracks.

Driving on the beaches by any vehicle in front of the residential areas of Henties Bay, Wlotzkasbaken, Swakopmund and Walvis Bay (from Langstrand to Bird Island), Cape Cross and camp sites (Mile 14, Jakkalsputs, Mile 72 and Mile 108) is not permitted.

For more information about off-road driving in Namibia and the permit for the dune belt between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, please download the following flyer:

The main contact person for the development of the Management and Development Plans of the coastal parks is Mr. Morgan Hauptfleisch:
Ausspannplatz, PO Box 6322, Windhoek
Tel: 061-220-579
Fax: 061-279-897
Email: morgan.hauptfleisch@saiea.com

Public feels conservation measures for coast are not enough

Namibians believe that the coastal resources and environment are not protected sufficiently and that current conservation measures fall far short of what is required.

These are some of the opinions contained in a draft Green Paper, forerunner to a Namibian Coastal White Paper, that will be discussed during a further eight public meetings commencing next week.

The Coordinator of the Namibian Coast Conservation and Management (NACOMA) project, Mr. Timo Mufeti, says the formulation of a Coastal Policy has now reached the important stage of reviewing the draft Green Paper, which is reflecting the opinions of the Namibian public and specialist study inputs since the Coastal Policy Process started November last year.

The coastal policy process is an initiative of the Namibian Government under the auspices of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism. The Green Paper, to be processed into the White Paper, will eventually become a government document, stipulating the future policy on the management of the coast, conservation and sustainable development, and from which possible legislation may be drafted.

Mr. Mufeti says the previous public consultative meetings indicated that the total coast should be zoned into areas where the unique biodiversity could be protected and/or used in a way that will not damage it and bring benefits to local communities.

The Namibian coast is viewed as a zone with multiple uses where conservation and development can go hand in hand, and planning ought to be based on proper studies.

Strong calls were made for programmes, which will raise awareness on the coast amongst all sectors of society. With its long coastline Namibia can be regarded as a maritime nation, yet ignorance reigns and there is poor access to information about the coast. It was proposed that awareness be raised nationwide and not only in the coastal areas.

Dr. Francois Odendaal, General Facilitator of the team that is responsible for the drafting process, points out that the it is carried out in phases to ensure that as many inputs as possible are obtained from the Namibian public as well as specialist studies.

He says the Green Paper will be finalized by the end of the year after which the White Paper will be processed and finalized towards July 2009.

The coming series of public meetings serves as a further opportunity for the public and stakeholders to scrutinize the draft Green Paper and to provide more inputs, opinions and ideas to ensure that the most suitable policy for Namibia’s coast is developed.

Apart from the consultative meetings, Namibians are also invited to forward their opinions and inputs to the NACOMA project in Swakopmund or to Dr. Odendaal’s EcoAfrica team. Their contact detail (also shown below) can be found on NACOMA’s website (www.nacoma.org.na).

The draft Green Paper is available on this website on the page section Reports & Publication or in printed format from the NACOMA offices in Swakopmund. Hard copies can also be obtained from the MET offices at the coast and in Windhoek, regional council offices of Erongo, Kunene, Hardap and Karas as well as the municipal offices of Swakopmund, Henties Bay, Walvis Bay and Lüderitz.

Inputs can be sent by E-mail or post until 5 November 2008, to:

The Ministry of Fisheries is to declare the first Namibian Marine Protected Area, 400 km long and 30 km wide, south of Namibia. The protected area, between Meob Bay and Chamais Bay, will include most of the offshore islands, such as Hollamsbird, Mercury, Ichaboe, Seal, Penguin, Halifax, Possession, Pomona, Plumpudding and Sinclair islands, as well as islets and rocks within two to three nautical miles offshore.

Cabinet approved a submission in this regard by Fisheries Minister Abraham Iyambo's during its meeting on September 2.

"The Marine Protected Area will improve vigilance with regard to risks posed by shipping-related threats, such as oil spills, and enhance Namibia's international relations by illustrating steadfast commitment to international environmental treaties, regional and national needs and requirements and international law," the Cabinet briefing paper stated.

This first Marine Protected Area will be co-managed by the Ministries of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Environment and Tourism, Mines and Energy and related bodies.

Cabinet furthermore gave its approval to the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources to present the MPA management proposal and proclamation to the public and the media.

NACOMA project will continue to support the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources in particular in the development of the management plan and regulations of this first MPA and for the proclamation of other Marine Protected Areas.

SEA for the coastal areas of Kunene and Erongo regions

The publication version of the SEA study for the coastal areas of Kunene and Erongo regions is available on NACOMA Office.

One of the outcomes of the SEA of the coastal areas is a SEA Decision Support Tool (DST). The DST is an easy to-use GIS application for visualisation of the results of the SEA for the coastal areas of Erongo and Kunene regions. The DST has the role of informing the decision making process on land use options in the two coastal regions, and does not provide decisions per se. The DST has been developed as a stand-alone application which can be viewed in the widely available ArcView 3.2 as well as in the freeware ArcExplorer. For more information, please contact Nathalie Cadot: ncadot@nacoma.org.na / 064-403-905.

SEA for the coastal areas of Hardap and Karas regions

The consultant team - DHI, started in August 2008 with several meetings in Windhoek, Swakopmund, Mariental, Keetmanshoop and Luderitz. The first draft SEA will be available by beginning of November and workshops to present it will take in November 2008 in Windhoek, Keetmanshoop, Luderitz and Oranjemund.

Implementation of SEA recommendations on the Kunene and Erongo Coast

A Management Plan guideline was developed based on the Sperrgebiet National Park Management and Development Plan. As stated above, the format and content of the guideline was commented on and approved in principle by the Parks and Wildlife Director of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism. The finalised document is currently being prepared, and will be submitted to the MET for final approval on 25 September 2008.

The consultant team, SAIEA - Southern African Institute for Environmental Assessment, has held a number of stakeholder meetings in Windhoek, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Langstrand and Khorixas, in which government, local authorities, special interest groups and interested members of the public were invited to contribute ideas and knowledge in July and August 2008. The meetings sought consensus on the priority conservation areas along the coast and ideas on how best these areas may be protected. Interestingly, there appears to be very strong agreement amongst conservationists, the public and developers about the need for these protection zones. Stakeholders have also offered zonation ideas for all the parks and recreation areas, and it seems likely that previous conflict areas (e.g. beaches and dunes between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay) can be zoned to include all reasonable needs of users and interest groups.

The consultant team has begun to build on this consensus, by developing zonation plans for the coastal Parks according to various types of usage and protection. These zonation plans will form part of the management planning process for each Park.

The Management Plans for the Walvis Bay Nature Reserve (possibly renamed) and the National West Coast Recreation Area (possibly renamed) are expected to be completed by the end of October 2008. Following their completion the revision / drafting of management plans for the Namib Naukluft Park and Skeleton Coast Park will commence.

Although the consulting team will commence the task of drafting and revising regulations for the Parks once the management planning process is completed.

The main contact person is Mr. Morgan Hauptfleisch:
Ausspannplatz, PO Box 6322, Windhoek
Tel: 061-220-579
Fax: 061-279-897
Email: morgan.hauptfleisch@saiea.com

The structured visioning workshops have been completed, with the last workshop held in Oranjemund on 19 July 2008. A total of 49 workshops were held, covering 20 towns or settlements.

In total 1552 people attended. Demographic representation in these workshops was well balanced between different population groups, youth, elderly, rural and town areas, and gender. A wide range of categories of issues emerged in these workshops. They included: education, awareness, and capacity building; community and public participation; grassroots involvement; specific management issues; management authority systems; social responsibility, youth development; land ownership and access to coastal lands, and access to coast; the need to have infrastructure and basic services; multiple use, planning, and zoning; conservation; mining, economic opportunities; sustainable options for fulfilling essential future energy and water needs; transparency and simplicity; strategies for sustainability; tourism; culture; geographic reach of the policy (must cover land and sea); and environmental health.

In addition 1000 questionnaires were completed in Erongo and Karas Regions, while radio programmes was employed in Kunene Region, and additional visioning workshops were conducted in Hardap Region.

The writing of a draft Green Paper is currently in process with assistance of the PLWG (Policy and Legal Working Group), as well as external experts in coastal policies. It is anticipated that the draft will be available on this website end of September. Its release will be well publicized as it is very important for the local public and stakeholders to give input.

SEA for the coastal areas of Kunene and Erongo regions

The final SEA study for the coastal areas of Kunene and Erongo regions is available on NACOMA webpage in the section Reports & Publications. A publication version will be available by end of September 2008.

One of the outcomes of the SEA of the coastal areas is a SEA Decision Support Tool (DST). The DST is an easy to-use GIS application for visualisation of the results of the SEA for the coastal areas of Erongo and Kunene regions. The DST has the role of informing the decision making process on land use options in the two coastal regions, and does not provide decisions per se. The DST has been developed as a stand-alone application which can be viewed in the widely available ArcView 3.2 as well as in the freeware ArcExplorer. For more information, please contact Nathalie Cadot: ncadot@nacoma.org.na / 064-403-905.

SEA for the coastal areas of Hardap and Karas regions

DHI has been contracted to undertake the SEA for the southern regions (Hardap and Karas regions). The consultancy started in August 2008 with several meetings in Windhoek, Swakopmund, Mariental, Keetmanshoop and Luderitz. The objective is to have a draft SEA study report before the end of the year.

Implementation of SEA recommendations on the Kunene and Erongo Coast

The Southern African Institute for Environmental Assessment (SAIEA) has been contracted to implement key recommendations of the SEA for the coastal areas of the Erongo and Kunene regions, in order to improve conservation management on the Kunene and Erongo Coast.

In July and August, the consultant team has held a number of stakeholder meetings in Windhoek, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Langstrand and Khorixas, in which government, local authorities, special interest groups and interested members of the public were invited to contribute ideas and knowledge. The meetings sought consensus on the priority conservation areas along the coast and ideas on how best these areas may be protected. Interestingly, there appears to be very strong agreement amongst conservationists, the public and developers about the need for these protection zones. Stakeholders have also offered zonation ideas for all the parks and recreation areas, and it seems likely that previous conflict areas (e.g. beaches and dunes between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay) can be zoned to include all reasonable needs of users and interest groups.

The idea now is to build on this consensus, zone the parks according to various types of usage and protection, and then develop regulations for each zone. With this in place, government will likely reproclaim the areas individually as National Parks, or perhaps consider the option of joining them together and proclaiming the entire area as a single National Park. This is an exciting prospect as this would be the world’s largest single National Park. We may even succeed in also obtaining World Heritage Status for this park under UNESCO listing.

Soon, the consultant team will wrap up the process by circulating draft park management plans for final discussion so that work can commence on the proclamation of the parks.

The consulting team consists of Dr. Peter Tarr, Dr. Chris Brown, Dr. John Mendelsohn, Dr. Jon Barnes, Mr. Cormac Cullinan and Mr. Morgan Hauptfleisch, and the above process will be completed by November 2008.

The main contact person is Mr. Morgan Hauptfleisch:
Ausspannplatz, PO Box 6322, Windhoek
Tel: 061-220-579
Fax: 061-279-897
Email: morgan.hauptfleisch@saiea.com

The final report of the 'Namibian Islands' Marine Protected Area' is available on this website, section Reports & Publication.

During July the Matching Grants Program received a total of 58 proposals for funding for catalytic & practical projects that benefit people and biodiversity. The process of finalising detailed applications and costing of proposed selection is underway and expected to be completed by the end of September.

Coastodian campaign should place coast in spotlight

The lack of interest in Namibia’s coastal area and its unique biodiversity and sustainable development opportunities could mainly be ascribed to low awareness and knowledge levels among Namibians and visitors.

For them to participate in the economic social opportunities and utilze the coastal resources appropriately, a sustained and managed information and education campaign is of utmost importance.

The Government of the Republic of Namibia through its Ministry of Environment and Tourism in collaboration with other line ministries, and with support of NACOMA and other stakeholders introduced a Coastal Awareness Campaign.

Though the awareness campaign has been running for nearly a year, it was decided that it would have much more impact if it was spearheaded by an easy recognizable brand, providing a visual focus and association.

A lengthy development process was followed to bring about a brand that the Namibian public would accept and identify with.

A public logo competition was launched in November 2008 and lasted for 3 months, it was advertised widely in media, at all NACOMA consultations and the public was invited to enter names, slogans and design a logo for the coastal campaign.

A selection committee processed the entries and from that suggested new ideas. A professional graphic designer illustrated them and four logo options were submitted to a pre-selection group of 20 knowledgeable people.

Their favourite’s ones were amended accordingly and submitted to a further group of 110 people for selection. The two top logos were refined and a third was developed from the two. The top management of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism and the NACOMA Steering Committee had to select a favourite from the three.

The Coastodian brand was developed as result of long, transparent, inclusive process. It has passed many hands and shaped by many views, including the youth.

The objectives of the information campaign are:

The Ministry of Environment and Tourism will be applying the brand in various ways to spread information and knowledge about the coast as wide as possible.

The Minister of Environment and Tourism, Honourable Nandi Netumbo-Ndaitwah in Walvis Bay officially launched the Coastodian Campaign on 31 July 2008.

At the occasion the Ministry introduced and acknowledged the first four Honorary Coastodians. This is a way is to pay tribute and honour individuals who have contributed significantly towards the promotion and conservation of the coastal natural resources as part of the campaign. More individuals will be honoured this way in future.

The Coastodian Awareness Campaign would be sustained by means of further special communication, marketing and education programmes. These would be refined and implemented in due course:

The copy right of the campaign and its brand will be owned and managed by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism.

The NACOMA Project will promote the campaign and its brand through its media liaison, and conferences, public relations activities, information and consultative meetings, its website, newsletter, information pamphlets, posters, information boards, special events, exhibitions and promotional material.

It is hoped that whenever and wherever people would see the Coastodian Brand that they would associate it with their raised awareness levels and newly obtained knowledge on coastal conservation.

The NACOMA project hopes that this will spur them on to collectively:

The process is now reaching an important stage when pre-scheduled visioning workshops are drawing to a close, and the writing of the Green Paper will start in earnest. A total of forty-eight workshops were held in the coastal areas of Namibia, with almost all towns and communities having had two workshops. Oranjemund is the only town where still no visioning workshops have been held, but a visioning workshop for this town has been arranged for 19th July, 2008.

The workshops were attended by a total of 1540 participants, and further inputs have been received in hard copy and by e-mail. Over 500 hundred questionnaires were also completed, bringing total participation in the process to well over 2000 people.

Participation involved a good balance between the different groups, age structures and rural and town residents and the demography of the coastal areas is reflected well in attendance records. As a further step in public participation, a SMS campaign is being planned for July. Youth involvement in the process is recognized as being very important. This year alone there have been 15 coastal field trips and/or film festivals aimed at the youth who has responded very positively.

A first glimpse at the results of the Visioning Workshops

Soon after the workshops started it became clear that the Namibian people feel very strongly about their coast. Data analysis is still in progress, but the following broad trends are emerging. It should be noted that analysis has not been completed, and that there may be more issues emerging, and that the ones listed below may be modified:

The draft vision of the coast is:
"We, the Namibian people want our coastal areas used in a wise manner, with sustainability as our common goal. Therefore social, cultural, environmental and economic concerns need to be balanced carefully, so that our natural resources are not depleted and the unique attributes of our coast will remain intact as far as possible. In the pursuit of a better and lasting future for our people we acknowledge that conservation and economic progress must go hand in hand. We will strive to develop our natural and human resources accordingly so that we can be good custodians of our valuable resources, making good use of them in an integrated and holistic manner, with fair and transparent access to opportunities for all, now and into the future."

Extent of the Coastal Areas

Exactly where the Namibian coastal areas begin and end has been a matter of discussion since the early stages of project preparation. The Policy and legal Working group, specially created to provide expert input into the process, has also been debating the issue and reviewed a Coastal Areas Options Paper prepared by the General Facilitation Team.

Four possibilities for the landward border of the coastal areas surfaced:
a. an ecological/environmental definition proposing that the coastal areas go as far inland as the reach of the coastal fog (the fog is generated by the sea and determines many of the characteristics of the coastal areas);
b. a social definition proposing that the coastal areas go as far inland as there are communities that can significantly benefit from coastal resources;
c. an administrative definition proposing that the coastal area go as far inland as the eastern border of the lattice of coastal protected areas, and
d. that the coastal areas should be considered those areas that are impacted on by coastal activities such a mining, tourism and so on.

The four options were also presented to the participants of the visioning workshops for their opinion. By and large, all four were considered important, but option c. had least support followed by option d. In the end it appears that a combination of the a. environmental and b. social definition will work very well, as all the communities fitting the description of b. also fall inside the coastal fog belt.

Public participation is ongoing

Any stakeholder can still give input by writing to the Facilitator or Coordinator throughout the preparation of the Green Paper which will be finalized toward the end of August. There will also be further opportunity for input once the Green Paper has been published, as well as during the development of the White Paper.

SEA for the coastal areas of Kunene and Erongo regions

The final SEA study for the coastal areas of Kunene and Erongo regions is available on NACOMA webpage in the section Reports & Publications. A publication version will be available by end of July 2008.

One of the outcomes of the SEA of the coastal areas is a SEA Decision Support Tool (DST). The DST is an easy to-use GIS application for visualisation of the results of the SEA for the coastal areas of Erongo and Kunene regions. The DST has the role of informing the decision making process on land use options in the two coastal regions, and does not provide decisions per se. The DST has been developed as a stand-alone application which can be viewed in the widely available ArcView 3.2 as well as in the freeware ArcExplorer.

The Decision Support Tool has been finalised in April 2008 and has been disseminated to MET, MFMR, Walvis Bay & Swakopmund municipalities, Erongo and Kunene regional councils etc. Further dissemination will take place in the coming months. For more information, please contact Nathalie Cadot: ncadot@nacoma.org.na / 064-403-905.

SEA for the coastal areas of Hardap and Karas regions

DHI has been contracted to undertake the SEA for the southern regions (Hardap and Karas regions). The consultancy will start in August 2008. The objective is to have a draft SEA study report before the end of the year.

Implementation of SEA recommendations on the Kunene and Erongo Coast

The Southern African Institute for Environmental Assessment (SAIEA) has been contracted to implement key recommendations of the SEA for the coastal areas of the Erongo and Kunene regions, in order to improve conservation management on the Kunene and Erongo Coast.

The SEA found that conservation management of coastal areas needed to be improved, particularly for areas such as the Walvis Bay Nature Reserve, and the area of land between Walvis Bay and the Ugab River. For this purpose SAIEA will consider best-practice management planning methodology in either revising existing management plans, or developing new management plans to ensure effective management of these areas, considering socio-economic needs and conservation priorities. Such planning would include the classification of land for various uses, updating and formulating relevant regulations, ensuring the conservation of areas of biodiversity significance, and the consideration of maximising benefits to communities in the regions.

A number of key activities will be undertaken. The activities will be implemented in phases as described below:

Phase 1:
     - Developing best practice guidelines for the development of management plans in coastal         protected areas.

Phase 2:
     - Development of a land-use plan, zonation map and management plan in order to facilitate the         proclamation of the Walvis Bay Nature Reserve
     - Development of a coastal land-use plan, zonation map and management plan to guide         management of the NWCRA
     - The review of land-use planning, zonation and management plans for the Namib Naukluft Park         and the Skeleton Coast Park, to ensure the inclusion of coastal management and conservation         priorities, as identified by the Nacoma SEA process.

Phase 3:
     - Formulating of regulations for newly proclaimed protected areas and agreed land-use zones, as         well as review regulations for existing protected areas.

The above process will be completed by November 2008, and will be consultative in nature. This implies that the views of all stakeholders in the concerned areas will be sought, to inform the development of management plans, zones of use and regulations.

The consulting team consists of Dr. Peter Tarr, Dr. Chris Brown, Dr. John Mendelsohn, Dr. Jon Barnes, Mr. Cormac Cullinan and Mr. Morgan Hauptfleisch, and have commenced with Phase 1. Consultations with MET, as well as coastal stakeholder consultations are currently being planned for July 2008.

The main contact person is Mr. Morgan Hauptfleisch:
Ausspannplatz, PO Box 6322, Windhoek
Tel: 061-220-579
Fax: 061-279-897
Email: morgan.hauptfleisch@saiea.com

The Honourable Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Dr. Iyambo, has received in May 2008 the final version of the cabinet submission for the proclamation of Namibia's Islands' Marine Protected Area. He has stated that he intends to call a briefing meeting with the other Permanent Secretaries and Ministers involved, in order to garner their input, before proceeding to cabinet for approval of this important issue.

The revised final draft of the 'Concept note, background document and management proposal for the declaration of Marine Protected Areas on and around the Namibian offshore islands and adjacent coastal areas' is available on this website, section Reports & Publication.

The capacity building and training have not progressed well as anticipated, and continue to be carried out on ad hoc basis. This is mainly due to the fact that the PCO team does not have the easy implementable Training and Capacity Building Strategy and Action Plan (TCBSAP). Initial efforts to have the TCBSAP in time have failed as the hired consultant failed to deliver acceptable and implementable TCBSAP. The PCO team is now in process of re-launching this task for speed implementation. This involved reformulation of the TCBSAP task, redevelopment of the terms of reference and re-procure the service for new consultant. NACOMA however continues to carry out urgent and priority training and capacity building activities as necessary, with the latest one being the training of coastal Regional Councils (RC), coastal Local Authorities (LA) and Line Ministries (LM) in usage of GIS (Geographic Information Systems) in application of Erongo and Kunene coastal SEA results and recommendations. Other ad hoc trainings that took place to date include SEA & EIA trainings to MET and some RC’s and LA's staff members (both inside Namibia and in South Africa); project cycle management to all coastal RC’s, LA’s and LM’s staff, etc.

EcoAfrica has been contracted to support the development of specific conservation and sustainable use investment proposals at site and landscape levels that can be financed by the NACOMA Matching Grants. The two leading consultants are:

The first phase of the task is to collect coastal project proposal outlines. For this purpose, an advert has been published in June 2008 and will be published again in July 2008 in Namibian newspapers. Please, see the advert below.

Call for coastal project proposal outlines

The NACOMA Project’s main objective is to enhance coastal and marine biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of coastal resources. This is being achieved through supporting the development of coastal policy, institutional and technical capacity and by co-financing of practical investments that result in tangible benefits to people and biodiversity.

The NACOMA Matching Grant programme will fund projects from N$10,000 to N$360,000 (projects exceeding this budget will be treated on merit). The NACOMA Project hereby requests brief project outlines (not more than two pages) that address practical solutions for supporting biodiversity and catalyzing sustainable use of natural resources.

Projects in the following fields, but not limited to, could be funded:
          - Biodiversity and conservation monitoring and enforcement
          - Habitat rehabilitation and restoration
          - Environmental impact reduction projects (e.g. fencing, boardwalks, interpretation signs)
          - Wise use of coastal resources (e.g. craft or medicinal use)
          - Coastal environmental awareness (e.g. signage, improved communication, events, books &              promotional material)
          - Eco-tourism (e.g. eco-labeling, guide training, marketing material, upgrade of existing              facilities, trail development)
          - Waste management solutions, (e.g. litter control and recycling)
          - Water conservation and renewable energy systems
          - Aquaculture, mariculture and agriculture projects
          - Support to small businesses wishing to use biodiversity sustainably

Projects will be supported in the coastal and adjacent terrestrial and marine areas only. Applications are open to all, inclusive of individuals, community groups, non-governmental organisations, private sector, local authorities, regional councils and line ministries.

The two (2) page project outline should include & address the following:
          1. Project description, objectives and broad budget requirements (quotes not compulsory)
          2. Project benefits to the coastal environment
          3. Project benefits to people and society
          4. Project benefits in terms of potential job creation or business opportunities
          5. The potential for matching or contributing to the project (financial or other commitment)

Applicants of selected projects will be contacted for further project development. The two page proposals should be sent via e-mail, fax, mail or hand delivery to NACOMA Project before Tuesday 15 July, 17h00:

NACOMA Project Office
Standard Bank Building, First Floor, Room 8
Sam Nujoma Avenue
P O Box 7018, SWAKOPMUND
TEL: 064 – 403905, FAX: 064 – 403906
E-mail: nacoma.project@gmail.com AND dguterres@nacoma.org.na

Action Plan for Namibia’s Coastal and Marine Birds

In order to address the increasing threats to our coastal and marine birdlife, NACOMA together with numerous other partners met in April 2008 to develop a Namibia Coastal/Marine Bird Action Plan and Working Group. The mission of the plan is to conserve Namibia’s coastal and marine birds and their habitats. The main threats include habitat loss or degradation, pollution, over fishing, by-catch, lack of awareness and ownership.

The action plan is being implemented by the Namibia Coastal and Marine Bird Working Group, a partnership between NACOMA, Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF), and institutions within MET, MFMR, Local Authorities and civil society groups (e. g. Coastal Environmental Trust of Namibia (CETN), BirdLife International Albatross Task Force, Namibia Bird Club, Namibian Environment and Wildlife Society, Wetland Working Group); and many private individuals.

The proposed actions following the priority issues identified are: to promote communication and cooperation, to obtain and manage information, promote conservation awareness, address threats to birds, reduce seabird by-catch, develop rescue and rehabilitation protocol and promote project sustainability. These actions complement NACOMA’s project and global objective to “strengthen conservation, sustainable use and mainstreaming of biodiversity in coastal and marine ecosystems in Namibia”.

For more details please check the proceedings document below or contact Ann and Mike Scott at ecoserve@iway.na / 064-404-866.

The second round of workshops is in progress. Erongo has already been completed, and by now already over one thousand (1000) people have attended meetings to express their concerns, aspirations and views on how the coast can be used. More public, private sector, special interest and line ministry workshops are being held to discuss the pillars of the Green Paper, the coastal zone definition and the National Draft Vision.

Prof Odendaal welcomes written submissions and comments to be sent to the NACOMA Coordinator Mr Timo Mufeti at tmufeti@nacoma.org.na, and copied to him at francois@ecoafrica.co.za. Such written submissions on issues, process and the Draft National Vision will be treated as input into the official process.


DRAFT COASTAL VISION:
"We, the Namibian people want our coastal areas used in a wise manner, with sustainability as our common goal. Therefore social, cultural, environmental and economic concerns need to be balanced carefully, so that our natural resources are not depleted and the unique attributes of our coast will remain intact as far as possible. In the pursuit of a better and lasting future for our people we acknowledge that conservation and economic progress must go hand in hand. We will strive to develop our natural and human resources accordingly so that we can be good custodians of our valuable resources, making good use of them in an integrated and holistic manner, with fair and transparent access to opportunities for all, now and into the future."

Brand for promoting the coast is on its way

The NACOMA Project launched a competition through which the public could submit an appropriate name, slogan as well as a logo for promoting the conservation and sustainable use of the coast.

The closing date for entries was 15 January 2008 and the winners were supposed to be announced by the end of January.

A selection committee perused all the entries in February 2008. The committee concluded that none of the entries were appropriate enough for a coastal campaign. However, the committee was impressed with the high standard of the entries and decided that the best ones should be acknowledged.

The project received 66 entries. About 99 per cent of them were from people living at the coast. A number were from learners at schools at Walvis Bay. The project would like to thank all the participants for their effort and trouble.

The NACOMA Project decided to split the prize money of N$3,000 between the following people who submitted recommendable logo designs and names for the campaign: Bryony van der Merwe, Petrus van der Westhuizen, Christina Tshapumba, Lutz D. Wahlers, Sandy le Roux and Jessica Kemper. Each, thus, will receive N$500. NACOMA wish to congratulate and thank them for their work.

The NACOMA Project was also impressed with the entries from the schools mentioned below and would like to express its gratitude to those teachers who encouraged their learners to submit entries. It was decided that book prizes would go to the following children:
            - Dolphin Secondary school, Walvis Bay / Teacher Mrs De Joger: Ingrid Blazic and Ivan Blazic.
            - Dolphin Elementary School, Walvis Bay / Teacher Mrs De Joger: Francois Malherbe.
            - Duneside High School, Walvis Bay / Teacher Mr. Feras: Edouardo Riobo.

The reception of the prizes will take place in Swakopmund or Walvis Bay in May when the campaign for the promotion of the coast, its natural resources, biodiversity and sustainable development will be launched. The name, slogan and colourful logo will be revealed then as well as how it will be promoted among all coastal residents, businesses and the different levels of government. More information will then be released about this important coastal campaign.

FIRST GLIMPSE OF THE DRAFT COASTAL VISION

The second round of workshops for the Coastal White Paper started on March 5 in Walvis Bay. In the meeting in Kuisebmond, the facilitator Prof Francois Odendaal revealed the Draft Coastal Vision that emerged from the first round of visioning workshops along the coastal areas of Namibia. He says that the Draft Coastal Vision will still undergo some changes through the ensuing workshops, but it is unlikely that the key components in it will change because that comes from the long series of first round workshops.

However, some panel beating and adjustments may be necessary along the way in terms of making it clearer or wording it better so everyone can understand its meaning. The Draft Vision must also still pass through workshops with Government officials, line ministries and the Legal and Policy Working Group of NACOMA. So it really is a straw dog that can be tugged and pulled, and comments are welcome.

Prof Odendaal also welcomes written submissions and comments to be sent to the NACOMA Coordinator Mr Timo Mufeti at tmufeti@nacoma.org.na , and copied to him at francois@ecoafrica.co.za. Such written submissions on issues, process and the Draft National Vision will be treated as input into the official process.


DRAFT COASTAL VISION:
"We, the Namibian people want our coastal areas used in a wise manner, so that social, cultural, environmental and economic concerns are carefully balanced with sustainability in mind, and conservation and economic progress going hand in hand. All our resources should be developed to their full, including our natural and human resources, with fair and transparent access to opportunities for all, now and into the future."

Debate about coast heats up

The debate about the conservation, management and utilization of the natural resources along Namibia’s coast is heating up and will do so even more with the next round of public meetings starting next week.

Consultants of the Namibia Coast Conservation and Management (NACOMA) Project will be convening 13 meetings for Namibians to express their views, concerns, priorities and aspirations on the current and future use of coastal areas and resources. This is a follow-up to the first round of meetings, which were held in November and December.

According to Mr. Timo Mufeti, Coordinator of the NACOMA Project, the meetings aim to obtain inputs and comments from the public as part of a process to formulate a White Paper, which will be the forerunner to a coastal policy that will lay the template for the management of coastal resources.

This process is an initiative of the Namibian Government and the White Paper will become a government document stipulating the future policy on the management of the coast and from which the possible legislation may flow.

Mr. Mufeti pointed out that the NACOMA Project believes in a consultative approach and that this process is merely in the beginning stage. The project and its consultants wish to seek the participation of the public as well as stakeholders during the various opportunities afforded. Although the coming meetings will be mainly at the coast more meetings will also be convened in Windhoek for those who have business interests or properties at the coast. Individuals and interest groups are also invited to visit the project’s website (www.nacoma.org.na) for more information or send proposals and comments to its office in Swakopmund.

According to Dr. Francois Odendaal, General Facilitator of the team that is drafting a Namibian Coastal Management White Paper, the White Paper process concerns the entire coastal area from the Kunene to the Orange rivers and not only certain parts.

With the previous round of meetings participants said they preferred an integrated development and conservation approach among the many issues raised. A key concern was the limited access to the coast. Some people felt unhappy that parts of the coast were restricted and that they were not fully informed about the reasons. Others felt unhappy that driving along the coast was restricted, including the dunes between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund.

Mr. Mufeti said the NACOMA Project will shortly also be consulting the public about the future utilization of certain areas along the coast. One such area is the proclamation of the area between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay (including the Kuiseb Delta) as part of the Namib Naukluft Park or as a separate national park and the West Coast Recreational Area also as a national park.

The consultant for this matter will most probably start in March working on various matters regarding the zoning, utilization and management of all the various areas in the Kunene and Erongo Regions.

Mr. Mufeti said all the consultations with the public are not ‘window dressing’ exercises but they are serious efforts to include the concerns, views, aspirations and ideas of the public to shape a collective Vision and Policy as an initiative of the Namibian Government to formulate a national policy for the Namibian Coast. Thus, not only Government will decide on a policy but it will be a collective effort.

The final SEA study for Kunene and Erongo regions is available on NACOMA webpage in the section Reports & Publications. The Decision Support Tool will be finalised by April 2008.

The SEA for Southern Namibia (Hardap and Karas regions) will be launched beginning of April 2008.

Brand for promoting the coast is on its way

The NACOMA Project launched a competition through which the public could submit an appropriate name, slogan as well as a logo for promoting the conservation and sustainable use of the coast.

The closing date for entries was 15 January 2008 and the winners were supposed to be announced by the end of January.

However, a committee who perused the entries decided that it needed more time to consider the entries as well as other options. NACOMA hopes to implement a brand for the coast towards the end of February.

The prize money of N$3,000.00 as well as some consolation prizes will still be awarded to the best entry or entries.

The NACOMA Project and its partners will most probably launch the brand officially during an information event at the coast, where the person(s) who entered the best entry or entries would be acknowledged and probably personally receive the prize(s).

The brand, which will incorporate a name and a slogan, has to promote and support the conservation of the coast and its natural resources, biodiversity as well as sustainable development.

It will be a visual identity, which through lots of communications and marketing try to foster a culture, beliefs, policies and practices, which will support the sensible development and caring for the natural resources in the coastal zone, from the Orange River to the Kunene River.

The brand will belong to the Namibian Government for the Namibian Coast but will be used by all Namibian coast stakeholders such as the coastal Regional Councils  of Kunene, Erongo, Hardap and Karas, all the relevant local authorities, tourism and relevant organizations, private businesses, NGO’s, CBD’s and the line Ministries involved at the coast, and last but not least the public.

Anyone would easily be able to associate with brand. If one would see the brand displayed, in public, at coastal events or in the media, one should immediately know what it stands for and be able to associate with its aim of promoting and the conservation of the coast and all its natural resources as well as sustainable development.

As soon as the brand is launched more information about what it represents will be communicated in public.

For more information on the brand please contact Nathalie Cadot at NACOMA on Tel: 064 – 403 905 or Gys Reitz on Cell: 0811244008.

Coastal authorities condemn conduct of unruly quad bikers

The Ministry of Environment and Tourism, the Erongo Regional Council, the Municipalities of Walvis Bay and Swakopmund as well as the Namibian Police strongly condemn the unbecoming conduct of certain quad bike drivers along the Namibian coast, especially at Long Beach (Langstrand).

According to reports some quad bike drivers totally neglect the road rules, drive into conservation areas or impinge on the enjoyment of other holidaymakers. These culprits wander close to where families picnic, make wheelies on beach areas, operate unlicenced quad bikes, do not wear helmets or in cases are under-aged.

The above authorities would like to call on all holidaymakers to act in a considerate and caring way in the spirit of the festive season. They wish to encourage everybody to enjoy themselves but in a responsible and respectful way.

The Municipality of Walvis Bay will be stationing traffic official at Long Beach to patrol the beach and surrounding areas during the period between Christmas and New Years day. The Namibian Police, with the assistance of a private company, has been equipped with four quad bikes to also perform law enforcement along the beach areas.

Members of the Namibian Police and the Municipalities of Walvis Bay and Swakopmund will clamp down on any drivers of off-road vehicles who don’t adhere to the road rules, who drive under the influence of alcohol or who cause a nuisance to other holidaymakers. It is, however, impossible for the authorities to be present at every incident. Members of the public are requested to report cases to the Namibian Police or the relevant traffic departments where drivers of off-road vehicles ‘driving’ it too far.

Officials of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism will also patrol the dune belt between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay to ensure that off-road vehicles don’t go into conservation areas. These areas have been cordoned off but cases of transgression are still reported.

Two areas have been demarcated for the enjoyment of the drivers of off-road vehicles. The one Off-road Vehicle zone is between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay. The one area stretches from Long Beach (Langstrand), 10 km southward to about Dolphin Park, where there is a turnoff, an off-loading and parking area. The other ORV zone is just past Dune 7, when approached from Walvis Bay. To utilize these areas, drivers need to obtain permits from the Walvis Bay or Swakopmund offices of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism.

Drivers of off-road vehicles are also urged not to drive on the gravel planes east of the dune belt as well as the lichen fields north of Swakopmund. At beach areas they should stick to the well-used tracks above the high tide mark.

White Paper Workshops blasts off in full force

The White Paper is the forerunner to a coastal policy that will lay the template for the management of coastal resources. It will also guide the sustainable development of the Namibian coastal areas. The process leading to the White Paper must involve local communities and other stakeholders from the start. Their input, together with input from specialist studies, will help shape the coastal policy of Namibia.

The White Paper process is an initiative of Government is planning with the people to ensure the wise use of the Namibian coast in a manner that as much benefit as possible is derived without exhausting coastal resources. The process has started with continuing awareness building and a series of White Paper workshops known as the visioning workshops. Twenty workshops have been held thus far in all four coastal regions, and more towns and communities will be covered in late February and March 2008, after more intensive awareness raising activities have been initiated. Some of the towns and localities where workshops were held include Walvis Bay, Swakopmund, Arandis, Kuiseb River, Windhoek, Opuwo, Orupembe, Purros, Sesfontein, Torra Conservancy, Terrace Bay, Luderitz, Aus, Keetmanshoop, Mariental and Bethanie. Other towns scheduled for workshops include Oranjemund, Rosh Pinah, Aussenkehr, Maltehohe, and smaller settlements along the red dune sea in the Hardap Region. Any group or community who feel they need to give input into the process can contact the Team Leader of the General Facilitation Team and NACOMA Coordinator (see below).

In the visioning workshops the reasons for embarking on a coastal policy process are first explained, as well as how the White Paper process works. A slide show of randomly arranged slides depicting various uses and issues surrounding the coastal regions and the resources is then shown to stimulate the interest of the participants, but without promoting any particular agenda. People are then given ample opportunity to present issues, and express needs and aspirations regarding the coastal areas. The submissions are carefully documented right there in front of the workshop participants. When the points made are not totally clear, the Facilitator may repeat them or ask for further clarification. Participants are made aware that the White Paper process is an official one, and that their submissions are treated as official input. When input from participants have been exhausted, the Facilitator explains why a Vision for the coastal areas is needed, being a guiding light for the policy process. The diverse input is then summarized in a nutshell that will serve as a draft National Vision for the coastal areas.

The General Facilitation team for the White Paper reports that participation in visioning workshops has been very active and productive. Workshops have not been well attended in some areas, but this will be remedied by an intensified awareness raising campaign that will aim to reach all sectors, groups and levels of society. Keep watching the website for when the input of the visioning workshops will be listed for all to see.

The White Paper process provides for input through written submissions as well. Written submissions will also be treated as official submissions and can be mailed to the NACOMA office directly, or they can be submitted electronically to the Coordinator of NACOMA, Mr Timo Mufeti at tmufeti@nacoma.org.na and the Team Leader of the White Paper General Facilitation Team, Dr Francois Odendaal at francois@ecoafrica.co.za. All written submissions will be acknowledged.

The final draft of the SEA has been submitted to the project office and is currently reviewing. The final document will be available to everyone only beginning of February 2008.

The Decision Support Tool will be finalised in January 2008.

The multi-stakeholder workshop held in Lüderitz from 14 – 15 November 2007 turned out to be a successful, collaborative effort. Forty Seven participants from a multitude of sectors, including the Ministries of Mines and Energy (MME), Environment and Tourism (MET), Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR), the Fisheries Observer Agency (FOA), Lüderitz town council, rock-lobster association, Seaflower, eco-tourism, aquaculture, islanders, SAMICOR, NAMDEB, de Beers Marine Namibia (DBN), WWF (World-Wide Fund for Nature), University of Cape Town (UCT), Alma Marine Trust, African Penguin Conservation Project, Fishcor, and the SPAN (Strengthening Protected Area Networks) expressed their support for the declaration of Namibia’s proposed Island MPA, and discussed the management zonations in detail.

Draft minutes will be circulated, and workshop input and discussions are being incorporated into the draft MPA concept note and management zonations. Copies of presentations and the draft have been delivered to the Permanent Secretary, together with copies for the Honourable Minister Iyambo. An appointment and briefing session with the Permanent Secretary of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Frans Pseehama, has been scheduled for Friday, 7 December 2007. A letter outlining progress made has also been delivered to the Minister, who, it is anticipated, will declare the MPA shortly.

The project has received good coverage in the press, including two newspaper articles and an immanent radio interview over the KOSMOS radio channel.

A partnership between WWF, NACOMA and de Beers Marine Namibia is in the process of being created, for a two-year project aimed at MPA promulgation, implementation, enforcement, training, as well as enshrining certain aspects of the eco-system approach to fisheries management (EAF).

PUBLIC INVITATION: Give your coastal zone a name, slogan & logo.
Stand a chance of winning N$ 3000 by entering a name, slogan & logo for Namibia's coast.
New closing Date for entries: 15 January 2008 at 17:00.

Entrants should post, hand-deliver or e-mail to the following contact:
NACOMA PROJECT
Room 8, 1st Floor, Standard Bank Building, SWAKOPMUND
P.O. Box 7081
Email: ncadot@nacoma.org.na
Tel:064-403-905

For more information, download the following advert:

THE FUTURE OF NAMIBIA’S COAST IS IN YOUR HANDS

Help formulate a Vision and a Policy to conserve, sustainably utilize and manage the biodiversity of Namibia’s Coastal Zone.
The Namibia Coastal White Paper process

Come and give your opinion!

The coast is very important to our country and its people. There is now a very important process underway in which the Namibian people will have a strong say in how their coastal areas and resources should be used. This is called the Coastal White Paper process. It starts with workshops where people can come and voice their dreams and concerns, and where they will shape a collective Vision that represents the needs and aspirations of the Namibian people in relation to their coast.
This process is spearheaded by the Namibian government; and its end result will be a national policy for our coast. It can only work if the people come and voice their opinions and give strong input in how the policy should look. That is why your participation is so important. Keep your eyes open and make sure that you attend the meetings in your area!

ERONGO REGION MEETINGS

Consultative workshops will be also held in Kunene region (Opuwo, Orupembe, Puros, Sesfontein and Tora Conservancy) before the end of the month and in Karas (Lüderitz, Aus, Bethanie, Keetmanshoop) and Hardap (Mariental) in December 2007. We will communicate the date, time and venue shortly.

Due to delay of submission of information by some stakeholders, the final SEA and Decision Support Tool (DST) for Kunene and Erongo will be available only beginning of December 2007.

On 13 & 14 November 2007, diverse marine industries and government departments, met in Lüderitz for the first time to decide on a plan to protect Namibia’s Islands’ marine biodiversity from Hollamsbird Island near Meob Bay in the north to Sinclair Island near Chamais Bay in the south. Industry representation included the rock lobster fishing, mariculture, eco-tourism, marine diamond mining sectors, whilst government was represented by its Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Ministry of Mines and Energy and the Ministry of Environment and Tourism as well as regional and town council members.The final SEA and Decision Support Tool (DST) for Kunene and Erongo will be available only Mid-November 2007.

The meeting was hosted by NACOMA and WWF South Africa, and was in response to the Namibian government’s pledge to increase the protection of its marine biodiversity, in alignment with the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) Plan of Implementation.

The NACOMA project shared with Namibia's media (TV, radio, newspaper) its aims, objectives, activities and knowledge about the future promotion and management of the conservation and sustainable utilization and development of the natural resources in the Coastal Zone, from the Kunene to the Orange River.

For this purpose as well as to establish a good working relationship, the NACOMA Project presented an information event for all local media at Swakopmund on 8 and 9 November 2007. This information event was well attended by the different media: Namib Times, Space Magazine, Republikein, The Namibian, One Africa TV, Kosmos, NBC, Allgemeine Zeitung, The Big Issue, NAMPA. NACOMA thanks all of them for attending this information event and we trust that they have learned a lot about our activities and the Namibian coast.

For more information about this event, download the programme of the 2 days.

Formal briefing sessions, a site visit and presentations with stakeholders in Lüderitz, Oranjemund and Swakopmund, which included NAMDEB, Seaflower, Lalandi, Pescanova (as the affected rock-lobster interests), purse seining representative Hugo Viljoen, line-fishing representative Wayne Hart, the MFMR inspectorate and scientists, SPAN (Strengthening Protected Area Networks) representation, MET representation, the alma marine trust, aquaculture and tourism sectors, NAMPORT safety, health and environmental officer and the Lüderitz town council, as well as MME (the Ministry of Mines and Energy) occurred during September.

These were followed up and stakeholder input and comments to the draft concept note, scientific justification and management proposal were incorporated for discussion at a multi-stakeholder workshop planned for 14 November in Lüderitz.

Continued liaison with the above stakeholders has been underway, and approval has been obtained for the proposed line-fish sanctuary in the north of the proposed MPA buffer. Approval has also been obtained for the proposed perse seining prohibition throughout the entire proposed MPA.

A meeting with MET during October achieved agreement on the boundaries of the proposed Namibian island MPA and the proposed Sperrgebiet Park, with the former ending at the high water mark, as MFMR’s stipulated jurisdiction, and the latter not reaching 3 nautical miles into the sea, as proposed in one of two previous, alternative, draft management plans for the Sperrgebiet.

Currently, negotiations are underway with NAMDEB, in order to refine conditions applicable to the proposed rock-lobster sanctuary in the south of the proposed MPA, between Chamais Bay and Prince of Wales Bay.

The above-mentioned stakeholders will be attending the workshop planned for middle November, as well as representatives from WWF-Marine South Africa, de Beers Marine, the Department of Maritime Affairs within the Ministry of Works, Transport and Communication, SAMICOR, the Fisheries Observer Agency and the island staff themselves.

Hereafter, a meeting with the MFMR Permanent Secretary and Minister are anticipated, in order to lead to the ultimate proclamation of the proposed Namibian Island MPA.

PUBLIC INVITATION: Give your coastal zone a name, slogan & logo.
Stand a chance of winning N$ 3000 by entering a name, slogan & logo for Namibia's coast.
New closing Date for entries: 15 January 2008 at 17:00.

Entrants should post, hand-deliver or e-mail to the following contact:
NACOMA PROJECT
Room 8, 1st Floor, Standard Bank Building, SWAKOPMUND
P.O. Box 7081
Email: ncadot@nacoma.org.na
Tel:064-403-905

PUBLIC INVITATION: Give your coastal zone a name, slogan & logo.
Stand a chance of winning N$ 3000 by entering a name, slogan & logo for Namibia's coast.
Closing Date for entries: Tuesday, 6 November 2007 at 17:00.

Entrants should post, hand-deliver or e-mail to the following contact:
NACOMA PROJECT
Room 8, 1st Floor, Standard Bank Building, SWAKOPMUND
P.O. Box 7081
Email: ncadot@nacoma.org.na
Tel:064-403-905

For more information, download the following advert:

The final SEA and Decision Support Tool (DST) for Kunene and Erongo will be available only Mid-November 2007.

Following the annual Ocean Conservancy initiative (http://www.oceanconservancy.org) for a global coastal clean-up, Swakopmund schools guided by the Swakopmund Municipality's Berdine Potgieter and Clive Lawrence joined the party on the 15th of September 2007. Every year, on this date over 100 coastal countries participate with over 500,000 volunteers removing marine litter from over 21,000 kilometres of coastline. NACOMA supported this event by sponsoring drinks and lunches for all the kids.
Thank to them for our clean beaches!!!

A first workshop on Namibia's coastal policy was held in Long Beach on Tuesday 21 August 2007. This first consultative meeting about the coastal policy was the first regional meeting attended by leaders and officials of Erongo region (councillors of Walvis Bay, Swakopmund and Henties Municipalities and councillors of Erongo Regional Council). During this meeting, the White Paper making process and the drawing up of a Common Vision for the coast was discussed and key issues that should be incorporated in a coastal policy was identified and discussed. Same meetings will be held in the 3 other regions and all the stakeholders will also participate to the Namibian coastal policy making process.

The draft SEA study was presented to all the stakeholders through several workshops which were held at the following dates and places:

The final revised version of the SEA and the Decision Support Tool (DST) will be available beginning of October 2007.

A site visit to the “diamond coast” (29 – 31 August 2007) was arranged by Heidi Currie, marine legal adviser and technical consultant (Feike’s) on the proposed MPAs and Collette Grobler, the Luderitz based MFMR rock lobster specialist. Rod Braby (NACOMA - Senior Technical Adviser) accompanied the group that was lead by Ronel van der Merwe, the acting environmental manager from NAMDEB.

Meetings were arranged with all the relevant stakeholders to present the draft “Concept note, background document and management proposal for the declaration of marine protected areas on and around the Namibian offshore islands and adjacent coastal areas”.

The 4 meetings were well attended especially the meeting with the effected parties at NAMDEB in Oranjemund. The stakeholders included NAMPORT, the lobster industry, SPAN, MET DPWM, the MFMR Inspectorates and researchers, the Ludertiz Town Council, NACOMA General Facilitation team representative and other interested and affected parties from eco-tourism, environmental and aquaculture sectors, as well as the Alma Marine Trust.

The visit to “pocket beach” mining sites and important lobster recruiting areas was well worthwhile to get a clear perspective of the area, and continue negotiating protective zones with the mining and rock-lobster sectors. NACOMA would like to thank NAMDEB and MFMR for their hospitality and expert guidance.

The management and zonations proposal for Namibia’s proposed offshore island Marine Protected Area is being widely circulated, and comments from affected stakeholders will be incorporated over the next two months, followed by a multi-stakeholder workshop at the Nest Hotel in Luderitz.

The final report about the "review of existing capacity, completed training results and training needs assessments to better develop the NACOMA's capacity building and training strategy and training action plan for key stakeholders in ICZM" is delayed to mid-October 2007.

NACOMA in association with the Ministry of Regional and Local Government, Housing and Rural Development (MRLGHRD), through the French Support to the Namibian Decentralisation Programme has decided to embark on an innovative process aiming to support all 13 regions Councils and Local Authorities in formulating and implementing innovative regional sustainable development projects. NACOMA finances this process for the four coastal regions (Kunene, Erongo, Hardap and Karas). A 5 day course was organised in each region on the following dates:

The training reports will be available in mid-october 2007.

A consortium consisting of legal and institutional experts from the following firms were contracted to conduct the review: SAIEA (The Southern African Institute for Environmental Assessment), Urban Dynamics, EnAct International and Sustainable Development Corporation.

An intensive consultation process consisting of workshops, direct meetings and interviews with specific stakeholders and individuals was undertaken during September 2006 through April 2007.

The final review draft with recommendations has been developed, distributed to all stakeholders and work shopped to allow the stakeholders to provide inputs.

The final report has been finalized and distributed to all key stakeholders.

A summary report or “Option Paper” containing all the findings and recommendations is finalized.

The next steps are the publishing and widely distribution of the Option Paper and the implementation of key and priority recommendations.

The study to carry out the SEA for the Northern Namibia (Kunene and Erongo) first, as a high priority area was commissioned towards the end of 2006. Stakeholder consultation at national, regional and local levels as well as with individuals has taken place. Several workshops with stakeholders and the public have been undertaken. This study is now almost completed and will be finalised at the end of August. A draft version is already available. Several workshops will take place for presenting the results of the SEA and the DST. The dates for the meetings are:

For more information and for participating at these workshops, please contact Rod Braby: rbraby@nacoma.org.na - 064 403 905.

Currently NACOMA is facilitating an agreement on creation of MPAs, boundaries and related management planning between the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources and the Ministry of Environment and Tourism and other key stakeholders.

To date, three MET staff members responsible for mining and prospecting applications evaluations and licensing and EIA approvals were sent to a one week EIA and SEA course in South Africa. They have already started to successfully implement knowledge gained from these courses. NACOMA has also sent planners from coastal municipalities and Regional Councils to locally organised one week EIA course.

Consulting Synergy Africa, Namibian consulting company, has been contracted to conduct a review of existing capacity, completed training results and training needs assessment to better develop the NACOMA's capacity building and training strategy and training action plan for key stakeholders in Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM).Several meetings has been done with the key stakeholders and the final report is expected for the end of August 2007.

NACOMA in association with the Ministry of Regional and Local Government, Housing and Rural Development (MRLGHRD), through the French Support to the Namibian Decentralisation Programme has decided to embark on an innovative process aiming to support all 13 regions Councils and Local Authorities in formulating and implementing innovative regional sustainable development projects. Namibia Development Trust (NDT) and Regenesys has been selected to provide technical support to Regional Councils and Local Authorities for them to be able to identify, formulate and carry out the implementation of innovative and sustainable regional and local development projects. NACOMA finances this process for the four coastal regions (Kunene, Erongo, Hardap and Karas). A 5 day course will be organised on the following dates:

For more information about this training in Project Cycle Management, please contact Nathalie Cadot: ncadot@nacoma.org.na - 064 403 905.

Launch of the NACOMA website on 1st August 2007.