Panda bulletin
June 2009for a living planet
vote earthSave the planet
Prince edward Islands deat to declare largest
offshore Marine Protected area
Something’s fishy...Seafood fraud exposed in SA
inside wwf
Panda Bulletin team editor: esma le Rouxeditorial team: Cindy mathys, Josh Cox and Sindiswa nobulaGraphic Design: Soretha Botha of GrafixitPrinting: africa digital Printing ServicesCover photo: albatross and chick on marion island by Samantha Peterson the Panda Bulletin is printed on Reviva Plus (100% recycled paper)
ContaCt detailSWWF South africa, Private Bag X2, die Boord 7613, South africa tel: +27 21 888 2800, Fax: +27 21 888 2888 www.wwf.org.za
WWF South africa is an association not for gain registered under the Non-profit organisations act, 1997. Registration no: 003-226 nPo
From the CEO’s desk
Inside
2 wwf • june 2009
June 2009
3 wwf letters: Our supporters have their say
4 wwf action: Yes, WWF has been busy indeed
6 wwf earth hour: Pictures from all over the world
8 wwf people: Meet the team
9 Conservation education: 16 of our eco-schools receive flags
10 wwf Kids: Join Alllie the albatross on his adventures
12 Living waters: Fish fraud exposed in SA
13 Living Planet: Cast your VOTE for the earth
14 Living Lands: Fighting together for fynbos
To save the planet is hard work. In fact, your work is never really done. For a tract of land to be declared a nature reserve or a new environmental policy
to be implemented, a host of meetings and consultations take place and endless paperwork needs to be done. The planning often takes years. But few things match the sense of achievement when a global biodiversity hotspot is at last officially declared a protected area and you have been part of the process.
On 7 May Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk, then Minister of Environmental Affairs, formally announced his intention to declare the area around South Africa’s Prince Edward Islands a Marine Protected Area (MPA). (Read more on page 4.)
It has taken five years of WWF working closely with the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism to complete a thorough planning and stakeholder consultation process. Financing for much of the planning was obtained from the private sector – through a sponsorship by Sanlam and the Charl van der Merwe Trust.
The Prince Edward Islands, comprising both Prince Edward and Marion Islands, is one of the few almost untouched places left on earth. Except for the small weather and research station on Marion, manned by ten staff, there is little human presence. Four penguin species, three seal species and five albatross species breed here – in fact the islands supports almost half of the world’s albatross population. Unfortunately, in the past wildlife has been threatened by illegal and irresponsible fishing practices, but these waters will now be strictly controlled.
WWF South Africa is immensely proud of the pivotal role that the staff of its Living Waters Unit has played in this singularly historic announcement in South African marine conservation.
I invite you to share in our joy at this good news, for WWF South Africa is unable to achieve these successes without the financial and moral support of both our individual and corporate supporters.
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WWF letters
june 2009 • wwf 3
GOOD NEWS! We are happy to report that Tetra Pak beverage cartons are 100% recyclable. Please amend on your cut out Recyclables Guide on page 9 of the Dec 2008 PB!
Globally, over 22 billion cartons are recycled every year, with recycling plants in over 60 countries. The number of recycling facilities is increasing every year as Tetra Pak partners with communities and businesses to increase the collection and recycling of cartons.
In South Africa Tetra Pak recycling does more than just clean up the environment for a better future for our children. It also helps to provide employment for non violent offenders who are cleaning up their lives for a brighter future.
Locally, Tetra Pak recycles at a plant in Heriotdale, Johannesburg, and plans for expansion soon into other major centres. Making recycling easier for consumers is a critical issue and Tetra Pak have been steadily increasing the number of drop off sites to help make the process of recycling as effortless as possible. Over 40 sites have been set up in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. For a detailed list of drop-off sites, visit www.tetrapak.co.za or contact them on 011 570 3000 or [email protected].
From the Inbox(and the postbox)…
Thanks so much for your letters, congratulations and of course, criticism. As with any new endeavour a few glitches appeared, but we appreciate you pointing them out as this helps us to create an even better Panda Bulletin (PB) for you.
Please send any comments to [email protected] or post a letter to The Editor:Panda Bulletin, Private Bag X2, Die Boord, 7613.
Just to thank you for the December 2008 issue of the PB. I think you have hit the nail right on the head with this issue. It reads well and puts pertinent information about WWF/ WWF-SA activities across in a concise and riveting manner. As a former CEO of the Southern African Nature Foundation (now WWF-SA), I know how important this is.Allan Heydorn
Congratulations on the introduction of a brand new redesigned PB. I have been a Life Member of WWF Neth-
erlands for over 20 years and their Panda Bulletin has a big similarity to what you have now produced.
I like the layout, the photographs are great and the content is readable, varied and interesting. Please do not change a thing, just carry on the road you have chosen and to use the parting greeting used in Indonesia, Selamat Djalan, enjoy the walk.Rudy Schats
Many thanks for the PB. I found the articles interesting and varied and thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Keep up the good work. I was most impressed with the use of recycled and environmentally friendly paper. More companies should go for these options.Helga Hill
The article “The Sugarbird” in the Dec 2008 PB has left me confused.
Male sugarbirds are described as “brightly coloured”, with “vividly coloured feathers”, but Roberts “Birds of South Africa” (1966) says, “They are peculiar in having a rather plainly coloured plumage” and Newman’s “Birds of Southern Africa” (1989) says they are “charac-terized by ... brown plumage with yellow vents”.
The author also says, “These little birds are fairly common in our gardens”, but there are only two species, the Cape sugarbird, which is “confined to the southern mountainous region from the Cederberg mountains in the north to the eastern Cape Province” (Roberts), and Gurney’s sugarbird, which “occurs on eastern mountain slopes” (Newman) “from Elliotdale in the eastern Cape, through Natal to the north-eastern Transvaal” (Roberts). Prof ER Jenkins
Tetra Pak goesAnd the winners are…Here’s how Barbara Perry saves the planet:
1 I wash with a top loader. First I wash the whites and light coloured items. Then I catch the soapy water in buckets and use it for the next wash (coloured items) and then again for the dark items like jeans etc. Every time I just add a bit of powder. That way far less soap powder gets into the water system.2 Keep a plastic basin in the kitchen sink and use the water for plants.
3 I keep three or four plastic bottles, filled with water in each of my toilet cisterns. 4 Use CFL bulbs and only switch lights on in the room that you use. Switch off the TV and PC when not in use.5 Don’t buy plastic bags. Use cotton material bags. The bags are washable and can be used endlessly.
Some great ideas for our readers, Barbara! Your Be the Hero t-shirt is in the post. – Ed.
Prof Jenkins is indeed correct. The Afri-kaans word ‘suikerbekkie’ was mistakenly translated into English as sugarbird instead of sunbird. The PB apologises for the error. However, we were lucky enough that some of our readers did have sugarbirds in their gardens and we received some beautiful pictures. Congratulations to Markus Babl from Suider-Paarl. – Ed.
GREEN
I think the new PB is terrific. It’s attractive, full of interesting articles, anecdotes and tips, as well as some beautiful pictures. It reminds one of what a beautiful planet we live on amidst all the unpleasant things. I myself cannot think of anything to enhance the magazine. Thank you so much and may your organisation go from strength to strength.Fay Bremner
WWF action
4 wwf • june 2009
In May Minister van Schalkwyk formally announced his intention to declare the world’s fourth largest Marine Protected
Area (MPA) around South Africa’s Prince Edward Islands (180 000 square kilometers).
The Islands, which consist of Prince Edward and Marion Islands, are located almost 2000 kms south of South Africa in the Southern Ocean, and form an important global biodiversity hotspot. They are home to a suite of spectacular marine wildlife, including albatrosses, penguins and killer whales. Unfortunately this wildlife has been threatened by illegal and irresponsible fishing practices in the past.
In 2004 Minister van Schalkwyk initially announced his intention to declare the MPA. For five years WWF worked closely with the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism to complete a thorough planning and stakeholder consultation process.
“This is a historic day in marine conservation in South Africa,” said Dr Deon Nel, head of the WWF Sanlam Living Waters Partnership. “All of South Africa’s current MPAs are located very close inshore. The commitment of the first large offshore MPA moves South Africa into a new era of marine conservation.”
Fish speciessufferingon the sideNearly half of the world’s recorded fish catch is unused, wasted or not accounted for, according to estimates in a new scientific paper, Defining and estimating global marine fisheries bycatch, co-authored by WWF.
Fishing vessels go after their so called “target” catch, but as most fishing gear is unselective, fishing fleets also catch millions of tonnes of other marine life such as sea turtles, sharks and dolphins, commonly known as bycatch.
“In many cases, fish and marine animals are thrown back to sea dead or dying. Currently even if bycatch was to be used there is no way to tell whether it was sustainable to remove it in the first place. It is an insidious and invisible form of over-fishing,” said Amanda Nickson, leader of WWF’s Bycatch Initiative and co-author of the paper.
News
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The airports Company south africa (aCsa) has renewed their commitment of R1.2 million to fund the Living Lands Unit’s core costs.
Two major arrests have already been made by the wwf Honda boats at the Robberg and the Betty’s Bay Marine Protected Areas only six months after being deployed.
Waverley Hills Organic Wines, in Tulbagh, is the first organic wine producer to achieve the Biodiversity & Wine Initiative’s Champion status. They have set aside 16 ha of their land (more than 10%), including critically endangered veld types such as Breede Shale Renosterveld and Breede Shale Fynbos, for conservation and have played an exemplary role in conserving biodiversity in the Cape Winelands.
Conserving South Africa’s Fynbos is what the Biodiversity & Wine Initiative set out to do when the project was initiated in 2004. Since then they have conserved more than 112 500 ha in the Cape Winelands, a conservation footprint that now exceeds the area under vineyards. To ensure that BWI continue doing their good work in the Cape Winelands, the rand Merchant Bank fund has come onboard for a three year corporate co-sponsorship.
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Prince Edward Islands
to be protected!
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WWF action
from all over the planet
Woolworths goes Water Neutral Woolworths has become the first retailer to join the WWF Water Neutral Scheme. WWF has been working with Woolworths to better understand and reduce their water footprint across their entire supply chain and to reduce these impacts. To this end Woolworths will be supporting
the rehabilitation of 170 ha in the Tankwa River in the Tankwa-Karoo National Park. This area is infested with the water thirsty invader Prosopis sp – commonly known as the mesquite tree. This rehabilitation work will result in water benefits proportional to Woolworths’ operational water use.
Renewable energy won’t cost the earthWWF South Africa’s Living Planet Unit recently launched the publication: Cheaper Electricity with Renewable Energy – Costing a 15% target for 2020 for South Africa. The report features key findings of a study by the University of Cape Town, which demonstrates that reaching a renewable energy target of 15% by 2020 won’t cost the earth. Together with an energy efficiency programme, electricity prices are in fact projected to decrease between 2015 and 2020.
The research was used to support a
submission to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) on Renewable Energy Feed-In Tariffs (REFIT); REFIT provides the tariffs at which Eskom will purchase electricity from private renewable energy producers. WWF has since welcomed the revised and increased REFIT, as announced at the beginning of April.
The publication is designed for the general public. Contact Josh Cox on 021 888 2897 for a copy or download it fromwww.wwf.org.za.
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Over the past four years, WWF has been working closely with sugar cane farmers from the Noodsberg area, near Pietermaritzburg, to develop a state-of-the-art Sustainable Sugar cane Farm Management System (SuSFarMS). This system is currently being implemented by more than 400 farmers in the region.
The South African Sugar Association (SASA) has recently endorsed this system and will be working with WWF to implement it nationally. The Coca Cola Company also recently visited the project and will be funding the first independent farm audits according to the SuSFarMS system.
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Sugar industry and Coca Cola sayyes to SuSFarMS
Boost for the green heartof AfricaGabon announced that it is to increase its protected Ramsar sites by more than a million hectares. This move increases Gabon’s total area of Ramsar protected areas by more than a third and has been welcomed by conservationists worldwide.
These areas include alluvial plains, lakes, marshes and rivers and is home to gorillas, chimpanzee, elephant, buffalo, the African manatee and hippopotamus.
“The green heart of Africa is a global conservation priority, and the basis of the region and its biological wealth are its rivers and wetlands,” said Dr Lifeng Li, director of WWF International’s Global Freshwater Programme.
WWF earth hour
6 wwf • june 2009
On 28 March millions of people switched off their lights from 8.30pm. as Earth Hour 2009 swept across
the globe from the tiny Chatham Islands in the southern Pacific to Lima in Peru!
In South Africa roughly 120 000 people signed up their support. Further, based on the reduced electricity consumption during Earth Hour, ESKOM estimates that the equivalent of one million South African households participated. Consequently, we estimate that between 1 and 4 million South Africans participated in the event.
Earth Hour 2009 was only the beginning of a more sustained effort to create awareness and understanding of the consequences of unabated climate change. It also signals the start of WWF’s high profile VOTE EARTH campaign to tackle climate change. The results of this year long election will be presented at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December. We want 1 billion votes for Earth, thus urging world leaders to take strong action against global warming. Therefore we will be campaigning throughout 2009 to add even more names. Read more on page 13.
sweeps the globeEarth Hour 2009
1 The Parletones, along with various South Africans bands, supported Earth Hour.2 Cheryl Carolus with her sister and Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture Paul Mashatile at the
Joburg event.3 The Moroka Swallows signed up for Earth Hour.
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Darkness fell on one of SA’s most iconic landmarks, Table Mountain.
The Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia went completely dark, well almost.
The Big Ben went dark in London.
Mr Kgalema Motlanthe, then president, signed up for Earth Hour at the Climate Change Summit in Midrand.
Madam and Eve and co. celebrated Earth Hour, in peace, by candlelight.
WWF earth hour
Tammy-Ann Fortuin en Francois Groepe, CEO of Media24, at the VIP function at the V&A Waterfront.
Nadeema Africa and Arnold Appolis from Levana Primary
School in Cape Town urged all South Africa’s children to sign up.
The Soweto Gospel Choir performed at the free concert at the Nelson Mandela Square during Earth Hour.
Dr Morné du Plessis and Jo-Ann Strauss at the Cape Town media launch of Earth Hour.
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Joburg switched off The Nelson Mandela Square at 8.30pm.
Valli Moosa opened the Earth Hour concert in Joburg.
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our people
8 wwf • june 2009
“I ended up in conservation completely by accident. I started a PhD in medi-cal biochemistry in 1994 and needed
some money to pay for expenses. A friend told me about an internship at the Natural Resources Management Unit at the Land and Agriculture Policy Center. It was my first job – I was 26 and still wet behind the ears. A year later I led the policy process at the unit that led to the creation of the national White Paper on Biodiversity – it formed the basis for the National Biodiversity Act. In 1998, I started the International Union for Conserva-tion of Nature (IUCN) office in South Africa and in 2005 I decided to move into the ener-gy sector – primarly focusing on the financing and economics of energy.
“You shouldn’t separate conservation objec-tives and economic planning. I am hoping that if we can drive the low carbon economy thinking that conservation or environmental issues will be part and parcel of how we think of economic planning and that there is wider social consciousness about the harm that irresponsible production and consumption does to life in general – including human and animal life. The whole planet for that matter.”
“I have two main priorities for this year at WWF. Firstly seeing through a cohesive programme for the very young LPU by ensur-ing we have a solid programme and funding in place. Our thematic focus will be on low carbon economy transitions. And secondly to grow WWF-SA’s corporate partnerships
by setting up the Business and Industry Unit. Both are exciting and challenging but I have a talented team to help me achieve this. If not some of the best people in the country.”
What’s the best thing about working for wwf? “The people, good structure, enlight-ened leadership, long-term financial viability and being able to focus on those things that you have been hired to do and not worry about things you don’t like doing because there is a whole team taking care of it.”
How do you keep your carbon footprint low? “I keep my car (diesel) in the garage as long as I can. I walk to work as I live in Stel-lenbosch. I just bought a bicycle, and I try not to fly much.”
Mao amis recently joined the Living Waters Unit as the manager of the unit’s new Integrated Catchment Management Programme. Mao joined us from the University of Cape Town, where he has just completed a PhD in Freshwater Conservation Planning. “I’m very excited to join WWF and look forward to being part of a team that brings about real change in conservation,” says the conservationist who grew up in Uganda. “I’m also an avid cyclist and can’t wait to form a WWF cycling team.”
Good bye, and good luckWe also bid farewell to Timony Siebert (in the middle with freshwater manager
Rodney February, left, and Markus Burgener from TRAFFIC) who has been one of the forces behind SASSI in her role as the co-ordinator of the programme. “Thanks
to everyone at WWF for your support and encouragement, and for your contributions in making this fantastic little project become a household name. It has been a great privilege to work with and become friends with so many inspiring individuals. I look
forward to watching SASSI grow from strength to strength.”
saliem fakir believes that conservation objectives and economic planning should not be seperated. As the new head of the Living
Planet Unit (LPU) he hopes to inspire others to follow suit.
Working towards alow carbon economy
If you are a teacher and would
like to find out more about
how WWF-SA can help you
incorporate sustainability into
education, visit www.wwf.org.za
taKe aCtIon
SUN POWER. Ernest and Tsepang Khena from Share-net hold up the first print of an updated enviro facts sheet on recycled paper. These pages were printed by the DUPLO Duprinter using solar energy at Share-net’s offices in Howick (funding for the solar equipment from Old Mutual through WWF).
for 16 SA eco-schools
Altogether 16, of the 448 schools in line for an Eco-Schools award in 2008, received their International
Eco-Schools flag! Particularly noteworthy was the range of schools that have earned this prestigious award, from under resourced rural schools such as Eqhweni Primary in the Injusuti valley in the Drakensberg and Monde Primary in Katlehong to one of the more expensive schools in Cape Town, Herschel Preparatory!
These schools have all been part of the programme since 2004 and have all demonstrated outstanding commitment to environmental issues at their schools and in their communities over the past five years.
For example, International flag winner
Monde Primary focussed on the neglected wetland that borders their school. Learners identified a number of other issues, such as inadequate sanitation facilities, overgrazing, not to mention the litter and pollution from neighbouring factories that all impacted on the functioning and biodiversity of the wetland. They embarked on a year long project to tackle these problems. Litter clean-ups and surveys ensued, trees have been replanted, water quality was studied and birds were identified. They have convinced the municipality to rehabilitate the wetland and promote it as a public asset. They plan to build a number of boardwalks and create informative signage, while Monde Primary learners will be able to act as custodians and use the wetland as a place of learning.
GAuTenG: Anton van Wouw and Monde Primarywestern CaPe: Herschel Preparatory, Glenwood House, Holy Cross Primary School and the Mike Woods environmental education centre (the first EE centre to be awarded their International Flag!)
free state: Hohle IntermediateMPuMAlAnGA: Magudu Primary (top left)KWAZulu-nATAl: Bellair Primary, Eqhweni Primary, Manor Gardens Primary, Margate Primary (top right), Mkuze Primary, Phelelani Primary, Rippon Primary, Birches Pre-primary and Ntendeka Combined
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Mugwazeni Junior Secondary School, a second year WESSA/WWF Eco-Schools green flag
school funded by De Beers, in Letsitele (Tzaneen) is growing indigenous trees. The seeds are sourced in the wild by learners. They learn about choosing good quality seeds and how to break seed dormancy. More importantly they learn about being stewards of the natural environment which provides a means of making an income and reducing the impacts of climate change.
Last year the school was assisted by Haenertsburg Rotary to build a tree nursery, as many seedlings often die in the hot dry climate. An enthusiastic group of 25 learners arrived on a Saturday morning to help the Rotarians sew shade cloth, dig holes and erect the wooden frame. Currently the tree nursery is doing very well and is packed with trees.
The school is ready to start selling one metre Marula, Baobab, White stinkwood and Buffalo thorn trees as well as half metre Acacia, Apple leaf and Natal Mahogany trees.
Contact Mr Nyiko Makhamisi on082 821 4827 to buy trees.
International statusFrom seed
june 2009 • wwf 9
our people
2008 International flag winners
our kids
10 wwf • june 2009
Over the years Allie travelled far and wide and saw many new things. Over time his dark brown feathers fell
out. One by one they were replaced by snow white feathers in places and black and white patterned feathers in others. His brown head with the white eye patches was now all white with a few stray black-tipped feathers on the very top of his head. At the feeding frenzies he was no longer called clown face by the other birds and he was no longer receiving vicious pecks. He was an impressive bird and his sheer size gave him a presence that ensured a degree of respect from the others.
One windy, but sunny day Allie saw another large white bird in the distance, soaring all over the sky, every now and then dipping right down to skim a wing tip over the water. Allie flew closer, feeling an incredible urge to join this other bird playing in the sky. Allie flew in above the other bird and narrowly missed it as it suddenly pulled up, swerving into an impressive arch.
“Jeepers … you startled me!” said the other bird trying to catch her breath, “I thought I was out here on my own!”
“S-s-sorry,” stammered Allie.
“No, no, it’s alright, you’re more than welcome to join me,” she assured him. “It’s just I got a bit of a fright, that’s all. I’m Angie by the way.”
“Th-th-thanks. I-I’m A-alexander the … A-allie if you like” he added hurriedly after remembering what Ditto had said about introducing himself.
“Well then Allie, show me what you’ve got!” said Angie smiling encouragingly at him.
“Um … well … I’m not sure I’ve ‘got’ anything,” mumbled Allie feeling a little embarrassed.
“Come on Allie, I’ll show you, it’s great fun!” beamed Angie. She positioned herself below and slightly in front of Allie in the sky. “Here’s what you do. Dip your left wing tip and swerve left and up. Okay?” she asked motioning with her wings in the sky.
“Alright,” frowned Allie watching her carefully.
“Here we go!” she called enthusiastically as she dipped her wing and swerved.
“W-w-wow!” said Allie. He felt overwhelmed by the feeling of freedom and power and so many other things that he could not describe as he followed her directions, carving his way through the clear, crisp sky.
“Now let’s do the same thing on the right,” encouraged Angie dipping her wing and swerving. “Good” she said after assuming that he had pulled it off correctly behind her. “Now let’s go left again and faster,” suggested Angie positioning herself above and slightly behind Allie this time.
Allie dipped his wing and swerved.
“See it’s easy!” beamed Angie enjoying his success.
“W-wow” hummed Allie. The thrill of flying on the edge and so close to another bird was sending wonderful shivers down his spine.
“Now let’s fly lower and as you dip your wing get it to just-just touch the very tip of that big wave there before you swerve upwards again,” encouraged Angie.
“I-I’m n-not so sure,” muttered Allie.
“Watch Allie, like this!” called Angie ducking out
Allie the albatrossJoin the adventures of
The Panda bulletin will be publishing a series of excerpts from Nikki James’s
children’s book Allie makes a Difference, the first in the Save the Planet Series.
Allie is a wandering albatross born on Marion Island, but he travels across the
vast Southern Ocean and meets many new friends along the way...
“Well then Allie, show me what
you’ve got!”
june 2009 • wwf 11
our kidsfrom behind him and pulling off an impressive wing dip right in front of him, carving the rainbow that had formed on the crest of the wave in two.
“You make it look so easy,” groaned Allie. “Here goes nothing!” he sing-songed as he dipped his wing in, got it all wrong and cart wheeled wing-over-wing several times before crash-diving through the steep wave he should have been skimming.
Allie bobbed out of the other side of the wave and shook his wet feathers. He could see Angie’s white shape disappearing over the horizon. “You Penguin Alexander!” he cursed to himself under his breath as he opened his wings and gave himself another good shake.
As he shook the last of the water out of his ears, Allie heard a determined voice chanting from somewhere behind him, “I’m a white-chinned petrel. I’m a white-chinned petrel.”
The little white-chinned black bird was floating on the surface of the water, bobbing up and down in the white-tipped waves. “I’m a white-chinned petrel, I’m a black-tailed … no, I’m a white-faced … no, I’m a blue-winged … no, I’m a red-faced … no, I’m a …”
“White-chinned Petrel,” interrupted Allie.
“What you looking at?” asked the petrel rudely.
“S-s-sorry,” stuttered Allie, “just thought I could help.”
“Now why would you want to do that?” asked the petrel angrily.
“Well … actually …” said Allie stalling.
“I don’t have all day!” interrupted the petrel rudely.
“Well … um …” tried Allie again, “I could use some help myself,” he added hurriedly.
“With what?” asked the petrel angrily.
“Wing-dips, or whatever, anything flying-related really,” murmured Allie.
“Let me guess,” hummed the petrel, “this is
about a girl?”
“N-n-n-no,” stuttered Allie very unconvincingly.
The petrel gave him a look of deep understanding.
“Alright, alright, you’re right,” said Allie giving in wearily. “How does that change anything?”
“Well, I was watching you earlier; you’re actually not that bad. All you need is a little practice,” said the petrel. “Maybe on your own rather than with the girl for now,” smiled the petrel pausing to give Allie a look that made him blush. “And then when you’re ready,” he added, “what you need to do is go back to that rock in the middle of the ocean where you were born. Find that girl, tell her that you like her, spend a whole lot of time convincing her that you really do like her. Then maybe you guys will hatch an egg together and worry about chicks and food and nests for the rest of your lives.”
“Sounds great!” cheered Allie genuinely excited about all these amazing possibilities.
“You’re crazy! You know that, right?” asked the petrel somewhat puzzled by Allie’s cheerfulness.
“If you say so!” beamed Allie. “See you around white-chinned Petrel!” said Allie grinning from ear hole to ear hole. Slowly he lifted himself up into the air off the crest of the next windswept wave.
“White-chinned!” exclaimed the petrel suddenly reminded by Allie’s greeting, and he began again, “I’m a white-chinned petrel. I’m a white-chinned petrel. I’m a white-tailed … no, I’m a blue-faced … no, I’m a …”
Allie listened to the petrel’s frustrated voice trail off into the distance as he zigzagged his way, wing-dipping off the waves, towards the setting sun and the island of his birth.
Send an email to [email protected] post a letter to:The Editor: Panda BulletinPrivate Bag X2, Die Boord, 7613
If you would like to buy a copy of Allie makes a Difference, contact:Don Nelson Publishers, 021 7067651*Closing date for entries: 3 August 2009
... a copy ofAllie makes a Difference ...
Did you know that wandering
albatrosses and royal albatrosses
have the largest wingspan of any
bird on the planet, their long and
narrow wings reaching up to 3.5
metres (11 feet), that’s twice the
height of the average person!
Nineteen of the world’s 22
albatross species are seriously
threatened. In fact, this is the
highest proportion of species
under threat of extinction of any
bird family on the planet!
Albatrosses face threats at sea
and in their land-based colonies.
The biggest threat being death on
longline fishing hooks. That’s why
WWF campaigns for better
fishing practices.
Will Allie see Angie again? You’ll have to wait for the next Panda bulletin…
Answer this easy question:from what island does allie come from?
FACTS ABOUT ALLIe:
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The thrill of flying on the
edge and so close to another bird
was sending wonderful shivers down his spine.
wIn
living lands
12 wwf • june 2009
Following hard hitting international headlines on the fraudulent practice of
misnaming fish in seafood markets over the past year, WWF’s SASSI teamed up with the evolutionary Genomics Group from Stellenbosch university to investigate what was really being sold in our seafood restaurants…
Misnaming occurs when one seafood species is marketed and sold as another, often unrelated species. Although this may sometimes happen accidentally, when a species is misidentified, it is normally done intentionally.
“For example, a cheap fish is passed off as something more expensive or a protected or illegal fish is sold as something common,” says Jaco Barendse, SASSI Technical Advisor. “Common cases in other countries include “red snapper”, a name that is used to market anything from farmed catfish and tilapia to hake, with up to 70% of samples tested being substituted.”
Using data from the innovative SASSI FishMS the researchers identified some of the most popular and commonly sold species. Two species that came out tops were kingklip and kob (kabeljou). Both are on SASSI’s orange list, which means they are legal to eat but consumers should excercise caution when choosing form this list or they should consider a green alternative. The
DNA tests revealed that half of the samples collected for the study were not what they were being sold as, and the most substituted species turned out to be kob: 84% of the 70 samples tested false, and were often a completely unrelated species, such as the large-scale mackerel, a type of tuna. For kingklip samples, 30% were actually the closely related ling that is imported from New Zealand.
“A few other surprises included the sale of the red-listed (illegal to sell) river snapper as a generic “red snapper” at two fishmongers in Cape Town, and establishing the true identity of a “cardinal”. The latter has been seen on menus in recent months. FishMS started receiving requests for it in May 2007. It turned out to be the deep water species Epigonus telescopus (black cardinal in New Zealand, bull’s eye on FishBase)” added Barendse.
Misnaming in South Africa does not just happen when the odd hottentot is sold as “Kaapse galjoen” to an unsuspecting upcountry tourist. It is common in the formal import, wholesale and restaurant trade. Thousands of consumers are not only defrauded on a daily basis, but they may unknowingly be buying illegal or unsustainable species.
this investigation formed part of a research paper and a programme featured on M-net’s Carte blanche on Sunday 26 April 2009.
Visit: www.mnet.co.za/Mnet/Shows/carteblanche/story.asp?Id=3681
• Demand honesty from your fish supplier regarding where and how your favourite fish was sourced.
• Only buy fish from the SASSI green list. Visit www.wwf.org.za/sassi for the list or SMS the name of the fish to 079 499 8795.
• Support retailers and restaurants that are committed to the SASSI guidelines. Visit www.wwf.org.za/sassi to view the list of members.
If you don’t know, find out more. Write to the SASSI team at [email protected]
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june 2009 • wwf 13
living planet
for a living planet
On the 22nd of April more than 17 million South Africans took part in the National Elections, an event that
will shape the future of this nation. The clock is rapidly counting down towards another crucial event, one that will determine the future of the entire planet – the UN Global Climate Change Conference, to be held in Copenhagen in December this year.
All eyes will be on world leaders as they gather in December to deliver, what we hope will be a fair, effective and science-based Global Climate Deal. Such a deal would lead to a
peak in global greenhouse gas emissions well before 2020, and ensure that the world is on track in keeping the rise of average global temperatures in the 21st century well below 2°C from pre-industrial levels.
The fact that the poor will be hardest hit by the impacts of climate change is of particular concern for South Africa. As one of the world’s five leading emerging economies, our role in the negotiation of this treaty is a crucial one. South Africa has the opportunity to demonstrate strong leadership in the build up to the final negotiations in December.
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The WWF message – “Stop Climate Change, Let the Himalayas Live!” was carried to the top of the world on 22 May by Apa Sherpa on his record 19th summit of Mount Everest.
Apa is one of the best persons to deliver this message to the world, having witnessed firsthand the changing landscape of the Himalayas in the wake of climate change during his decades of mountaineering experience.
Apa carried the WWF Banner during the Eco Everest Expedition. The expedition was led by two-time Everest Summiteer Dawa Steven Sherpa, a passionate advocate of climate change issues and also a WWF Climate Witness.
The event is a part of the Climate for Life campaign led by WWF Nepal to raise awareness on Climate Change impacts in the Himalayas in the build up to the UN Conference in Copenhagen in December.
fast facts• More than a billion people directly depend on
the Himalayas for survival, especially as a source of water.
• 67% of the glaciers in the Himalayas are retreating by 10 meters every year.
Visit www.climate4life.org.
take Climate Change to the
What you can do…On 28 March millions of people around the globe voted with their light switches during Earth Hour, the biggest mass action the world has ever seen. During 2009 people of all nationalities, ages and race will be making their voices heard in shaping government policies to take strong action against climate change.
The results of this year long election will be presented to leaders at the Conference in Copenhagen in December. If you have not already signed up for Earth Hour, add your name to this call by VOTING EARTH at www.voteearth2009.org
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14 wwf • june 2009
Focus on
Various veterinary, anti-inflammatory drugs used in
Southern Africa, have been proven to be lethal to vultures, including the already threatened Cape Griffon vulture (pic).
A range of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) which are currently used for domestic livestock, have been tested by the Vulture Chemical
Threats Project, supported by WWF. Four NSAID drugs were identified as being lethal to vultures – diclofenac, carprofen, flunixin-meglumine and ketoprofen of which the latter two are currently marketed in South Africa.
In South Asia, populations of closely related
vultures, especially the Gyps of vultures, have severely declined after these scavenging birds consumed carcasses containing toxic residues of diclofenac.
Diclofenac is currently not available on South African markets, but there has been interest from companies to import this drug into the country. The Vulture Chemical Threats Project would like to see the drug banned from South Africa and neighbouring countries.
Studies have discovered that the NSAID meloxicam is less harmful to vultures and a wide range of other scavenging species. However, this drug is yet to be introduced to the Southern African market.
The project is implemented by the University of Pretoria’s Faculty of Veterinary Science and the Rhino & Lion Wildlife Conservation’s Vulture Programme and is evaluating risks to vultures. Funded by WWF & AgriSA.
At the Southern tip of Africa, lies the smallest, but richest plant kingdom in the world. It is home to fynbos
and renosterveld and more than 9000 plant species, of which 6200 are found nowhere else in the world! This unique South African treasure is better known as the Cape Floristic Region (CFR).
However agriculture and alien vegetation poses a great threat to these indigenous plant species. In response to this the WWF and the Table Mountain Fund (TMF) have joined forces and created the TMF-WWF Fynbos Programme.
WWF has funded many successful fynbos-related projects such as the Biodiversity & Wine Initiative. Since 1998 TMF has also been funding projects, such as the Baviaanskloof Mega-Reserve Project that looks at consolidating more than 500 000 ha in the Baviaanskloof, and the Conservation Stewardship Programme implemented via Cape Nature which has paved the way for stewardship agreements in Tulbagh, Worcester, Caledon and Swellendam, among others.
This new partnership has been established to combine, grow and maximise conservation efforts. It will continue to fund fynbos-related projects and align the conservation activities of both TMF and WWF.
“Whilst TMF and WWF have always worked closely together, this new partnership means that we will share one vision and one programme of work, unifying our approaches and activities,” said Thérèse Brinkcate, WWF Ecosystems Partnership Manager.
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fynbosSouthern African vulturesVulture research could prevent the demise of
versusCoaL water
Soutce: Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture and Land Administration
existing mines (yellow) and mining applications (red) in Mpumalanga
In March this year Eskom announced that an additional 40 coal mines are needed by 2020 to cope with the growing demand for
electricity in South Africa.
This is worrying news considering that coal mines are a primary source of freshwater pollution. Coal power stations also require 1.3 litres of water, and produce 1 kg of greenhouse gas, for every unit of electricity generated.
South Africa is considered a water-stressed country, with freshwater availability expected to decrease under the effects of climate change and increasing pollution. It is unfortunate therefore that Mpumalanga is both the site
of South Africa’s richest coal fields and a catchment area for many of the country’s major rivers.
WWF has responded to this reality in the following ways:• Contesting the award of coal prospecting
rights on land around Wakkerstroom which has been identified as high priority for both water production and biodiversity.
• Working with local farmers through the Enkangala Grasslands Project in the same region to preserve the integrity of natural grassland systems, ensuring that their carbon storage potential and freshwater systems remain intact.
• Providing input to and closely monitoring the Environmental Impact Assessment for Eskom’s proposed “Coal 3 and 4” stations in the Lephalale/Waterberg area, Limpopo.
WWF believes that renewable energy alternatives need to be fairly considered in South Africa to provide energy security while avoiding the myriad detrimental impacts of a continued reliance on coal.
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june 2009 • wwf 15
Yes! I would like to help ensure a living planet. Please contact me with more information on making a donation through:
IJ a bequest in my willIJ a general donationIJ a debit orderIJ an endowment
Post the coupon to: denise Samson, WWF South africa, Private Bag X2, die Boord, 7613or contact denise on: 021 888 2866 or [email protected]
Remember all bequests to WWF South africa are exempt from estate duty and donations tax, and donations to WWF South africa may be deducted from your income tax, subject to the limitations prescribed in Section 18a of the income tax act. if you donate R3 000 or more per year, you will automatically receive a Section 18A Tax Certificate from WWF South Africa.
Donate
You can make a differenceIn the mid-20th century, there were still some 65 000 black rhinos (Diceros) bicornis in Africa. Then came the devastating poaching crisis of the 1970s and ‘80s that wiped out more than 95 percent of the population. At its lowest point, there were barely 2 000 black rhinos left. Today, thanks to intensive conservation efforts in state and private sectors, their numbers have increased to about 4 000.
The aim of the Black rhino range expansion Project is to increase the numbers of the critically endangered black rhino by increasing the land available for their conservation. This is done by forming strategic partnerships with landowners within the historic range of the black rhino.
There are four project partner sites so far: Munyawana Game Reserve, Zululand Rhino Reserve, Pongola Game Reserve and Somkhanda Game Reserve in northern KwaZulu-Natal, but the potential exists to expand the project beyond the province.
The Black Rhino Range Expansion Project is a partnership between WWF and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.
The project has seen much success over the past years with a particular highlight being the relocation of 11 black rhino into Somkhanda Game Reserve. The local Gumbi community had won the land on which the reserve is now situated as part of a land claim appeal and is committed to conserving it. Since the release of the rhino in November 2007 two calves have been born.
However ... this would not have been possible without the support af our corporate and individual supporters. WWF believes that by working with people, together we will change behaviour and leave a living planet.
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