South African marine scientist Prof Lynne Shannon became the first South African to receive the Prince Albert I Grand Medal for Ocean Science at a ceremony in Paris this week.

The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) and Shanghai Ocean University (SHOU) have announced a scholarship programme targeting qualified African professionals seeking to advance their expertise in marine science, aquaculture, and sustainable fisheries management.

Kenya’s Nancy Karigithu was recognised for her distinguished career representing her tireless commitment to seafarers as well as her representation of her country at the International Maritime Organisation and her role in developing cooperation programmes across Africa at an awards ceremony in London this week.

SOUTH AFRICA: Recreational fishers need to plan smartly this summer if they want to stay on the right side of the law as the announced dates for catching West Coast Rock Lobster restrict opportunities to only 12 days.

SOUTH AFRICA: The Competition Commission is referring a complaint against eight major shipping lines operating between South Africa and Asia for prosecution.

SOUTH AFRICA: Hosted by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic), the Marine and Associated Services Industry Day held in Durban last week aimed to close the gap between policy and practice in the industry by bringing together government and industry to discuss existing initiatives to support localisation and growth in marine manufacturing.

SOUTH AFRICA: Guests that included some of the initiators and sponsors of the iconic high school maritime training initiative gathered at the Labia yesterday in Cape Town to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Lawhill Maritime Academy.

The fanfare associated with the deal to reimagine the SA Agulhas and extend its legacy as a training vessel for South African cadets has faded leaving the vessel sitting under arrest in the Port of Durban as the crew await confirmation of whether they will be paid, and the future of the iconic icebreaker seems uncertain. Editor Colleen Jacka, met up with the man that chased the deal to secure the vessel over several years this week to discuss how the events of the last few months have seen him forced to sell his own shares in the company that owns the SA Agulhas and walk away in a moment that seems to have humbled him considerably.