Coastal and marine research supports estuary management

The course was presented together with the Western Cape Government and hosted by the Overstrand Municipality in Hermanus.

Other collaborators and presenters at the course were the CSIR, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) and CapeNature.

A total of 51 participants and 14 presenters attended the three-day course targeted at estuary RMA (Responsible Management Authorities) officials, as well as others interested and involved in the development of Estuary Management Plans (EMPs) and monitoring techniques.

This research aligns with Mandela University’s strategic focus area on the Blue Ocean programme and sustainable sciences.

Updates on the implementation of estuary management plans at national, provincial and local levels included the value, structure and function of estuaries; estuary mouth management; estuary monitoring (water quality monitoring and strategic adaptive management, biota as indicators); estuary health, protection and restoration; and a field trip to the Klein River Estuary (Hermanus Lagoon.