Aliwal Shoal Hope Spot plans in the pipeline
A Hope Spot is defined as a special conservation area.
A PUBLIC meeting was held at Crocworld on Saturday, 25 November to start the planning of the launch of the proposed Aliwal Shoal Hope Spot, which is one of six Hope Spots to be established in South Africa to join the 51 existing Hope Spots around the world.
Hope Spots are defined as special conservation areas that are critical to the health of the ocean – earth’s blue heart.
Some of these Hope Spots are already formally protected, while others still need protection. Networks of Hope Spots maintain biodiversity, provide a carbon sink, generate life-giving oxygen, preserve critical habitat and allow low-impact activities like eco-tourism to thrive. They are good for the ocean, which means they are good for people.
By engaging governments, businesses, schools, research organisations, universities, civil society and the media, the hope is to effect significant changes so that future generations can thrive on a healthy planet, with a healthy ocean.
The concept of Hope Spots was developed by internationally-recognised Dr Sylvia Earle who established the NGO ‘Mission Blue’. The recently released film, Mission Blue, featuring Leonardo Di Caprio, is based on her life and career.
In the words of Dr Earle ‘there can be no green without blue’, let us recognise the importance of this occasion for our most well known asset, the Aliwal Shoal.
Dr Earle will be leading a Mission Blue team to open the South African Hope Spots, with the Aliwal Shoal Hope Spot scheduled for 12 to 14 December, so diarise these dates. The organisers have not yet finalised the programme or venues, so watch this space for more information. To offer support, contact Brenda Binneman on 083-790-8841 or email brenda@verbispan.co.za
