SAMSS Vision 2022: Southern African Marine Science Symposium
The Southern African Marine Science Symposium, Africa’s premier marine science conference, took place in Durban in June 2022, with good representation from SANParks’ Cape Research Centre and Alison serving on the scientific committee. The symposium united passionate researchers interested in cutting-edge technology and environmental challenges. Focused on exploring the connections between past and present marine science, the conference aimed to shape the future of marine ecosystems and communities reliant on them.
We gave three presentations covering apex predator movements in relation to marine protected areas and shared exciting results from Table Mountain and West Coast National Park MPA biodiversity monitoring programs. Despite COVID-related budget constraints, the Wildoceans’ Ocean Stewards Project enabled the Cape Research Centre’s marine team to attend the conference. Collaboration was enhanced through networking, particularly with SAEON colleagues, to improve the biomonitoring program by upgrading equipment to stereo-baited remote underwater videos. The symposium fostered a collective commitment to a sustainable future for our oceans.
This article was originally published in the 2022/2023 Research Report.
