Marine students visit eMdloti coast

A WAVE of UNISA students spent a morning on the eMdloti rock pools where they studied the rocky shore ecosystem and assisted with quadrant sampling on Wednesday, 14 August.

This as educators and scientists from the South African Association for Marine Biological Research hosted the bevy of students for specialised training sessions recently. The intense four-day course formed an important component of the student’s Nature Conservation Diploma.

The course, which covered Oceanography, Marine Biodiversity, Sandy and Rocky Shore Ecosystems and Estuarine Functioning and Coastal Zone Management, was designed to incorporate both theory and practical sessions.

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Jone Porter, Director of Education at Ushaka Sea World was there to guide students during their eMdloti excursion.

“One of the reasons for the importance of collecting data is that there are small differences between the beaches, so research results give us a sense of where the litter is coming from and what the concerns for each area are,” she said.

Tumelo Molaba, student assistant from UNISA said the course had been enlightening.

“During the week, what we are taught by the Ushaka staff is that one way or another, we impact the ocean. I’m from Johannesburg, and I didn’t realise that I impact the ocean if I throw litter in the river as it will end up in the ocean. That’s something I never thought of. I thought, by being in Johannesburg, I am not affecting the ocean at all,” he said.

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Khensani Mahungele, a student from Mpumalanga had cottoned onto the same fact.

“I’ve learnt a lot concerning the sea and ocean life. I’ve also learnt that when the rains come, they wash the litter into the river, and then the ocean. This is very bad as it is destroying our nature,” she said.

Documenting the type of litter found on the beach is important for consumers and producers added Mlaba.

“We know what we are dealing with and what we need to avoid. I hope the industry will be awakened and see that they need to change their ways, stop producing certain products and choose environmentally sustainable alternatives,” he said.

Another student, Marc Jenkins, from Johannesburg, said the course had been very interesting.

“We’ve actually been in contact with scientists and some of the leading experts in conservation between the incoming tide and the coastline. When you look at these rocks, they are full of animals, full of life. With the sea levels slowly rising, all these buildings need to go, they need to let the sea have it’s way,” he said.

Students spent time with senior scientist, Bronwyn Goble, undertaking dune beach profiling before heading off to the uMlalazi Nature Reserve where they studied the mangrove forest and worked on estuarine sampling with Senior Scientist, Fiona MacKay.

The final day of the course was spent at uShaka Sea World focusing on Fisheries Management.

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