Industry newsIndaba 2016

by Amy Upton (Bhejane Nsele)

INDABA kicked off with an early morning start at 8 am where all embodiment's of the industry game together under a few roofs; with exhibitors from 18 countries all over Southern Africa.

It is the place to be for those who want to make a difference. 

 Why is Inaba worthwhile and relevant?

It is worth while because it creates a warm and welcoming environment in which business relations can begin to grow its roots with meaningful interactions with people from all over Africa.

Derek Hanekom said “INDABA gives us a sense of belonging. It is where we can come together to share knowledge and create partnerships” which is extremely true. INDABA shows you what is out there in the big bad world; it also shows you the reality of the industry as well as the endless possibilities to work in making it all worthwhile.

Although INDABA was busy and there was talk of meetings left, right and centre. The people of INDABA always had a smile on their face and a welcoming hand shake ready to hear what you had to say. This is one memory I will take away from INDABA is that these are ‘my people’ and they want to hear about who I am and what I do because there is always the opportunity for me to make their company better; and the thought of that makes myself and I am positive makes many other people feel significant in such a huge industry.

INDABA was incredible and eye opening and definitely a good way to be introduced into the industry and is definitely an event that must be attended. Thank you Bhejane Nature Training for the opportunity.

“Look deep into Nature, and then you will understand everything better”- Albert Einstein

Industry News- 12 March 2013

By: Megan Balouza (Impi)

KZN Sharks Board

In order to protect swimmers we need to reduce the environmental impact of nets. Sharks play an important role as apex predators in regulating the numbers of animals on which they prey. Nets are not only harmful to sharks but also catch Rays, Dolphins, Turtles and other sea life. The Sharks Board has worked for some time on solutions to reduce the number of nets, including drumlines, a research project with the Endangered Wildlife Trust to determine the efficacy of dolphin deterrent devices and discretionary bathing. This discretionary bathing has allowed them to keep nets out of the water for as long as two months, minimizing the chances of large-scale mortalities especially during the annual Sardine Run. In a more recent project they are investigating using its patented waveform in a shark repellent cable that would surround a bathing area with an electrical field. Physicists and electrical engineers were contracted for this research in 2010 which has since commenced.

Wideside Magazine, 1 of 4, 2012

Further information: Tel 031 566 0400

Fish conditioning lead to later danger?

As the controversy over chumming for sharks and cage diving rages on there is always a nagging doubt that we are supporting something that could lead to later danger. It is rare for a diver to be attacked by a shark unless: they are in a bait ball, in the wrong place at the wrong time or acting foolishly and dive operators who offer these extreme experiences say they have never felt in any danger. Theoretically, anything that changes the behaviour of a creature in its natural habitat is unwarranted interference, however the test of stress in a creature is whether it continues to live, eat and breed in the area and the evidence of stress-free fish is everywhere. So is it a bad thing for fish to become conditioned to the presence of divers in their private domain? Maybe as we learn about them, they learn about us and judging by behaviour once they know us, they don’t seem to mind us.

Divestyle Magazine, Nov/Dec, 2012

Further information: divestyle.co.za

Article by: Jill Holloway

Dune forest rehab in Richards Bay

Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) mines mineral sands on sensitive sub-tropical remnant coastal dunes. High standards of rehabilitation have always been a top priority for the company and restoration began when mining began on mostly bare, degraded dunes in 1977.The objective was to restore natural forest values to mined dunes. Although it takes between 18 and 24 years to re-establish the same sort of vegetation evident in the surviving forest remnants nearby, results in Richards Bay to date have been outstanding. Restoration was achieved in a 3 stage successional development. First ground cover and grasses were established on reshaped dunes, then acacia forest moved in and finally mature forest species appeared .As predicted native fauna also re-established overtime. The plant and animal life found there now form a dune forest similar to other indigenous forests along the coast. The Richards Bay experience is an object lesson – particularly the benefits that flow from progressive rehabilitation and the value of long term monitoring and research. Truly understanding and re-establishing a complex local ecosystem is a journey, it takes experience, commitment and time.

Wildside Magazine, 3 of 4, 20012

Further information: www.rbm.co.za

Email: communication@rbm.co.za