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Plastics|SA’s Enviromark has initiated an annual RECYCLING DAY - 15 September. This day falls during Cleanup SA Week (10 - 16 September 2012). It aims to increase awareness by educating the community about the social, environmental and economic benefits of recycling. Visit www.recyclingday-SA.co.za
Let's CLEANUP and RECYCLE and CREATE a better environment for ALL .
Download our poster and make sure that everyone in your office and classroom is aware of it.
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PROJECT Seabird Conservation in South Africa:
establishing Marine Important Bird Areas and links to Marine Protected Area
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The Enviromark, in conjunction with Birdlife SA, has embarked on an ongoing project focusing on the conservation of marine biodiversity.
The global marine environment is under considerable stress and one of the threats it faces is that of over-exploitation of marine resources, leading to the collapse of fisheries and livelihoods, and population declines in marine mammals and birds. The use of drift and trawl nets, and longlining, continues to have a devastating impact on wildlife populations - over 300 000 (yes, three hundred THOUSAND) albatrosses and petrels are believed to die each year as a result of accidental bycatch. 18 of the world's 21 albatross species are now threatened with global extinction. Seabird breeding islands have been ravaged by the introduction (albeit usually accidental) of alien predators and competitors such as rats , goats and cats.
To address this threat, BirdLife proposes to identify, document and designate marine Important Bird Areas in the WIO area.
The aim of this programme is to "identify and protect a network of sites at a biogeographic scale, critical for the long term viability of naturally occurring bird populations, across the range of those bird species for which a site-based approach is appropriate. The network is considered the minimum essential to ensure the survival of these species". |
Specifically, there is a need to identify the most important marine areas by compiling and analysing what is known about the distribution of marine biodiversity. Seabirds are one of the best life forms for this purpose in that they are excellent indicators of wider marine biodiversity because they are easily observed, readily identifiable, and widely surveyed and monitored. Their presence is indicative of healthy fish stocks, and they have been used by fishing communities through the ages, to locate productive fishing grounds.
The Project was officially launched at the SAVE OUR SEABIRDS (S0S) Festival which took place at the Two Oceans Aquarium, at the Cape Town Waterfront during National Marine Week 12 - 16 October 2009. Download the brochure.
The Enviromark contributed R100 000 towards the research necessary for this project.
Plastics|SA nominated for Birdlife SA's Owl Award 2010
Plastics|SA is very proud to announce our nomination for the 2010 BirdLife South Africa Owl Award. This Award originated from their need to acknowledge the companies and individuals who donate their time and money to the organisation that make it possible to continue their conservation programmes and projects. The first Owl Award ceremony took place in 1999.
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For more information contact:
www.birdlife.org.za
secretary@birdlife.org.za
Tel: 011 789 1122
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