Specific knowledge:

NINA: Activities in Southern Africa since 1992 (Namibia especially), the scientific info tour to SA in 2001 and links established thereafter.

SAIAB: Meetings during NINAs info tour, return visit to Norway in 2001 and links established thereafter.

Knowledge of research

No SAIAB-NINA project collaboration before NRF/NRC programme

Aquatic telemetry a new field in SA

Rapidly expanding – various organizations interested

Synergies and mutual benefitsThe programme has:

• been the fundament for establishing collaboration between NINA and SAIAB,

• released additional funding in SAIAB, NINA and other institutions (NRF and BP),

• been the corner stone for establishing new collaborative links between NINA-SAIAB and additional institutions in SA (Universities and Marine and Coastal Management),

• produced new and important information for fisheries management

Synergies and mutual benefits (cont.)

• Exchange of scientific personnel and students

• SAIAB-NINA presentations at conferences and workshops

• Joint publications

• Knowledge transfer (both ways)

• SAIAB and NINA supplement each other

• Together seeking new projects and collaborating links

Modalities of support

• Total allocation to SAIAB-NINA provided basis funding for our project

• Restricted funding for equipment

• Fluctuating currency has been a problem (± 20%) for NINA

Application proceduresIn general it was fine!

Some minor problems: Limited grants for different activities/expenses - restriction on total amount better. Different areas may need different kind of funding.

The length, scrutiny, and fairness?

OK

Thematic priorities in the programme

Not sure about the overall priorities (not informed of other successful projects)

In SA context, the AQUATIC THEME is very important!

Major changes happened, for example:

• New legislation

• Increased pressure, demands and damage on aquatic environments

Water and its resources is SA’s most precious resource – must be conserved

Collaboration beyond the project • Great wish to continue (and expand) the

collaboration in both institutions

• The scope of collaboration will depend on acquired funding:

Two proposals in collaboration with Marine and Coastal Management to the NORSA (2005-2009) MCM programme, but decisions pending

Coelacanth Programme (the live fossil fish) – telemetry component

Mntentu kingfish proposal (joint application)

The projects role in promoting redress

• The project has actively promoted equity redress as far as possible

• BSc (Hons.) project (Ms Alushe Hitula, Namibia)

• Two MSc students (white females)

• Post-graduate student exchanges Zululand University and Cape Town University (3 persons)

• Training in the skills of field work and fish handling (3 persons)

• Interaction with subsistence fishing community, and booklet “Coastal Fishery Resources – an easy guide” distributed

The projects role in promoting redress

Specific:

Information and motivation. SAIAB and our project have taken initiatives towards University of Fort Hare, to give lectures and arrange field trips for lower grade students.

Talks on our project and field trips have been given to school kids

To improve the situation:

General:• Aquatic research must be profiled as a career opportunity • Information of the importance of aquatic sciences and

resource management • Improve the general level of education of black people in SA

The projects role in promoting redress

Recruiting black students is a problem. Very few candidates available (postgraduate students). Black ichthyology (and biology) students come from other SADC countries.

Recommendations and suggestionsVery good institutional, scientific and personal links have been established between SAIAB and NINA.

Three years have given us a very good start but a few more years of support might be needed to keep up the momentum and secure the success.(For example 3-years too short to complete a PhD program in ecological work)

Continue the good work started!

Thank you!