MAURITIUS: A draft plan to facilitate ongoing development of an effective national oil spill preparedness and response framework was produced at a workshop co-organised by IMO and the Ministry of Blue Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries & Shipping, Mauritius from 22 to 24 May.

Rodents and insects remain a major cause for concern on ships where no pest prevention systems are in place, creating an unsafe work environment, not only for the crew on board, but also for the ship owners’ assets.

SOUTH AFRICA: The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) plans to undertake further consultation to achieve support for the West Coast Rock Lobster (WCRL) poaching reduction strategy which includes a co-management structure, a system to regulate marketers and capacity building within the small scale sectors as well as monitoring and control teams.

NIGERIA: Independent experts met in Lagos last week to discuss the draft Supplementary Act Relating to the Suppression of Illicit Maritime Activities in Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) which aims to promote cooperation and strengthen the operational legal framework to combat illicit activities committed at sea.

SOMALIA: Fifteen Somalia Navy and Coast Guard (SNCG) officers have completed specialised training on maritime security in a joint initiative conducted by the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and European Union Capacity Building Mission in Somalia (EUCAP Somalia).

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) published a notice for comments draft regulations on Government Gazette Notice No. 48294 on 24 March 2023, opening a 60-day window for interested parties and individuals to submit written comments on the access and use of the government water works for various recreational purposes including commercial activities such as fishing, organised sporting, tourism, accommodation and other events. 

SOUTH AFRICA: Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) christened the latest addition to their dredging fleet last week when Transnet Group Chief Executive, Portia Derby, undertook the honour of revealing the name of the new plough tug that was built in Cape Town.

SOUTH AFRICA: After a successful first four years since its relaunch in the country, Women in Shipping and Trading Association – South Africa saw a change in leadership at last night’s Annual General Meeting held in Cape Town.