Hondeklipbaai is a small and rather impoverished community. Contrary to real circumstances, it could at its best be called a rich area—rich in terms of its natural resources. And that is just the natural wealth; this community is also blessed with mineral wealth envied by many and is surrounded by several mining houses. So how is it that a community like Hondeklipbaai can be dependent on government projects to survive? What is the legacy left by the mining houses after years and years of exploring the area’s mineral wealth? Read Priscilla’s views here.

The impacts of climate change and desertification are predicted to fall disproportionately on the poor, who rely most heavily on the environment for their livelihoods and who are least able to adapt. We can no longer afford to ignore these problems if we are to achieve the goals of poverty eradication and development. Drynet is taking up this challenge. A joint EU-funded initiative of 14 organisations from around the world, Drynet aims to strengthen civil society networks, providing them with the knowledge and skills to influence dryland development policies in affected countries. Drynet South Africa is gathering momentum, with a national database of 65 civil society organisations, and work in progress for the identification and dissemination of sustainable land management (SLM) best practices and a series of radio programmes on desertification.

Aquaculture picking up in Angola
Angola is endowed with rich water resources and has excellent conditions for the development of aquaculture. Aquaculture in Angola is considered one of the priorities of the Angolan Government to promote sustainable economic development and contribute to poverty reduction. The last years have seen renewed interest from the private sector and concerted efforts to put in place an adequate regulatory and policy framework. Read more about Angola’s potential for aquaculture and efforts to revive this sector in a brief summary of the Ministry of Fisheries’ State of Aquaculture in Angola.

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Walvis Bay becomes part of a Global Biodiversity Initiative
By David Uushona and Olavi Makuti
An exciting project to protect and manage biodiversity at the local level has recently been launched in Walvis Bay. The Local Action for Biodiversity (LAB) is a 3-year pilot project initiated by the International Council for Local Environmental initiatives (ICLEI). Walvis Bay is one of the 20 cities worldwide that are taking part in the LAB Project. Walvis Bay, Cape Town, Ekurhuleni, Durban and Johannesburg are the only participants from Africa. LAB brings together cities from a range of global contexts to explore the best ways for local governments to engage in effective biodiversity protection, utilisation and management. Keep an eye on the Municipality’s website for the Walvis Bay Biodiversity Report Draft, which will be available for comments.

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Joining hands to protect the East Coast
We have been following the joint efforts of Angola, Namibia and South Africa to protect their shared coastal and marine resources through the BCLME project. Now, on the other side of the continent, Eastern African countries are also getting together to identify common problems and joint solutions for sustainable management of the Agulhas and Somali Currents Large Marine Ecosystem (ASCLME). All who live along the coast of the ASCLME region are encouraged to participate and become aware of the processes stirring in the region, as the decisions that will be made will ultimately affect all.

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What are the DLIST Partners up to?
An exciting environmental film library housed at the ERC in Cape Town, discussions heating up on the radio in Northern Namibia, a short course on stakeholder participation in the making, the “Sustainable Development in Coastal Areas” distance course kicking-off again, and coastal events with youth groups in Namibia… these are some of the most recent activities of DLIST and its partners.

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Book Review: Stories for Fire Dogs - Opening our Hearts to the Earth
Creative non-fiction essays engaging with the environmental crisis – global warming in particular.

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4x4s to Come Under the Whip
It was said that South African and Namibian governments are starting to take the issue of off road driving quite seriously now. DLIST members discussed the current status of laws and regulations regarding off road vehicles in Southern Africa.
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Community Participation in Mining Development
A community member from South Africa’s West Coast brings to light the realities of mining houses’ social plans. Are closed down mines committed to social responsibility set out in their closure plans or is it an idle idea?
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A Dangerous Dichotomy
Is there an apparent dichotomy when it comes to environmental and developmental issues? Or are all aspects, biodiversity and cultural, interrelated? Find out what our members had to say about the topic:
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NACOMA Visioning Workshops
The second phase of the visioning workshops for the Namibian Coast Conservation and Management (NACOMA) Project will be undertaken in March and April. Communities are provided with a platform to express their views and concerns about the future utilization and conservation of the natural resources of the Namibian coast. See details:
[ visit thread ]

• The Protocol on Integrated Coastal Zone Management in the Mediterranean
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• Review on Aquaculture Development in Sub Saharan Africa
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• Aquaculture gets a Second Chance in South Africa
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• Analysis of Marine Aquaculture Developments in Namibia
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• Environmental Management Act of Namibia
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• Lei dos Recursos Biológicos Aquáticos de Angola (Angola’s Aquatic Biological Resources Law)
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• Regulamento Geral da Pesca Angola (Angola’s Fisheries Regulation)
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• Review of existing institutional mandates, policies and laws relating to coastal management, and proposals for change (NACOMA)
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• Cleaning up: Experience and Knowledge to Finance Investments in Cleaner Production
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