S
I O F
P
OUTH WEST NDIAN
CEAN
ISHERIES
ROGRAMME
(SWIOFP)
NEWSFLASH 9:June 2004
An occasional newsletter to update
members of SWIOFP on current
develo pments.
The workshop to advance the scientific component of the Somali-
Agulhas LME project was held on 18 & 19 May in the Cape. This
provided excellent opportunities to forge a closer interface between this
and the SWIOFP project.
Administration
· The SWIOFP secretariat has been finalising the project extension with the World
Bank.
Project activities.
· The questionnaire-based template to develop an approach to data management, facilitated
by KMFRI in Kenya was finalised after input from the various regional nodes.
· The template for submission of national science proposals was finalised and circulated by
MCM in South Africa. The initial submission date was extended to the end of June 2004,
after which the various proposals will be collated into one draft regional plan.
· Contact has been established with the authorities in Madagascar, who have expressed
renewed interest in meeting their commitment to SWIOFP and especially in the
facilitation of the Project Management theme, possibly in collaboration with Seychelles.
LME Workshop
The Somali-Agulhas LME workshop, held at Paarl in the Western Cape was hosted by UNDP
and chaired by David laRoche. The workshop was attended by 22 experts from 11 countries.
A number of presentations were made about related WIO initiatives that are expected to have
scientific and oceanographic needs.
Dixon Waruinge outlined the UNEP-implemented project on land-based activities,
called WIO-lab. This GEF project has secured funding for the following objectives:
1. Reduce stress on the ecosystems by improving water and sediment quality
2. Strengthen regional basis for preventing land-based pollution
3. Develop capacity for more sustainable and less polluting development.
Implementation had been somewhat delayed following changes to the project, which
included the removal of the coastal fisheries component. This was of potential concern
and interest to SWIOFP. A preliminary Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) for
this project was made available.
David LaRoche presented an overview of the LME project. A PDF-B grant had been
allocated to assist in finalising the 18 month development phase of the project
proposal, which would be implemented by UNOPS. Several points were debated
during discussion including the relationship between the Somali and Agulhas systems.
Clearly this project was synergistic to the SWIOFP initiative.
The African Coelacanth project was presented by Tony Ribbink, who described the
formation of Coelacanth interest groups in several of the WIO countries. Following
several research cruises, this project clearly presented many opportunities to interface
with the GEF projects.
Details of progress in the SWIOFP project were presented by Rudy van der Elst and
Ana Paula Baloi. The project had reached a stage where the details of the scientific
programme were being developed by each participating country.
The workshop benefited from the experiences of Mick O'Toole who reviewed
progress and lessons learnt with the Benguela LME. His guidance was considered a
valuable contribution, including the screening and evaluating of science proposals.
Brad Brown, formerly of NOAA, provided his insightful opinion on the operational
aspects of a large LME project, including the importance of initial needs and TDA
assessments.
A most interesting presentation was that made by Johan Lutjeharms, who reviewed the
latest state of knowledge concerning ocean dynamics in the WIO and especially the
greater Agulhas circulation system. He revealed that several past theories had been
modified such as the non-existence of a permanent Mozambique Current. It was
clear that his work held great relevance to the LME and SWIOFP projects.
The workshop had been scientifically stimulating and the proceedings were being
prepared into a background document.
Updated Table of Activities
INTERIM PROGRESS & PLANS
Task / Theme
Action
Status
Deadline
Finalise pdf-B extension
Completed
-
(Pre-appraisal)
Plan for 4th plenary
Underway
November/December
(Pre-appraisal)
2004
Plan for 5th plenary (final appraisal)
Preliminary stage only
March 2005
Secretariat
Maintain SWIOFP website; initiate
Ongoing
(IIP-Mozambique)
"FishChat"
Final version of project submitted
Basic framework
Mid 2005
conceived
Interface with other WIO projects;
Ongoing
Ongoing
establish links
Project Launch
-
Late 2005
Finalise generic template
Completed
Draft science plans submitted by
Initiated
30 June 2004
Science Plan
national focal points
(MCM-S.Afr)
Collate submissions
To be initiated
31 July 2004
Final plan Science plan/ workshop.
To be initiated
30 Sept. 2004
Finalise data questionnaire
Complete
Questionnaire circulated and
Underway
31 July 04
Data Management
submitted by institutions
(KMFRI-Kenya)
Final data & IT plan + Workshop
Pending questionnaire
15 Sept. 04
submissions
Operations &
Harmonise procurement procedures
Underway
30 June 04
Procurement
Finalise procurement plan
Underway
30 Sept. 04
(TAFIRI- Tanzania)
Specialist workshop
To be planned
30 Oct. 04
Questionnaire to focal points
Underway
31 May 04
Legal issues
Collate response from focal points
Underway
30 June 04
(France)
Workshop
To be planned
31 August 04
Mission to Madagascar for
Planned
30 June 04
collaboration
Develop template for management
To be planned
15 July 04
Project management
needs & costs
(Madagascar)
Questionnaire circulated and collated
To be planned
15 August 04
Specialist workshop
Planned
30 September 04
Appoint team of specialists
Underway
30 April 04
National Focal
Workshop to develop country needs
Planned
30 June 04
Points
and expectations; document prepared
Submit contribution to Science Plan
Underway
30 June 04
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Ana Paula Baloi
Instituto Nacional de Investigação Pesqueira (IIP)
SWIOFP coordinator
Maputo, Mozambique
Tel: + 258 1 490536 / 490307 / 499963
Fax + 258 1 492112
Email: swiofp@moziip.org
Web: www.swiofp.org