Benguela Current Commission Ministerial Conference
Wednesday, 01 September 2010 |   |  0 comment

Image by Jim Crossley

Media Release: 01 September 2010

The ministers responsible for the management of marine industries and the marine environment in South Africa, Namibia and Angola will come together in Cape Town on Thursday 2 September, for the Second Ministerial Conference of the Benguela Current Commission.

The Benguela Current Commission (BCC) promotes the optimal and sustainable utilisation of the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME), the coastal area that stretches from Port Elizabeth in South Africa, to northern Angola.

The Benguela Current Commission, which was established in 2007, has a mandate from the three countries to work towards restoring, maintaining and conserving the biological integrity of the BCLME. Its key focus is the management of shared fish stocks; environmental monitoring; biodiversity and ecosystem health; the mitigation of pollution; and minimising the impacts of marine diamond mining and oil and gas production.

At Thursday’s Ministerial Conference, Buyelwa Sonjica, Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs in South Africa, will meet with her ministerial counterparts from Angola and Namibia, namely:
• Hon. Sianga Kivula Samuel Abilio, Deputy Minister of Petroleum, ANGOLA
• Hon. Anibal Actavio Da Silva, Deputy Minister of Environment, ANGOLA
• Hon. Victoria de Barros Neto, Secretary of State for Fisheries, ANGOLA
• Hon. Bernard Esau, Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, NAMIBIA
• Hon. Isak Katali, Minister of Mines and Energy, NAMIBIA
• Hon. Erkki Nghimtina, Minister of Works, Transport & Communication, NAMIBIA

The ministers will discuss the progress made by the Commission, including the setting up of organisational structures and the implementation of the science plan and training and capacity building initiatives.

However, one of the most important objectives of Thursday’s meeting will be to chart the way forward for the Benguela Current Commission. It is expected that the ministers will begin discussions around a legally binding multilateral convention that will formalise and entrench the Benguela Current Commission. The three countries are hoping to sign the convention in 2012. In doing so, they will recognise the unique character of the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem and commit themselves to taking joint responsibility for its sustainable management.

The Ministerial Conference will be held at the Lagoon Beach Hotel, Milnerton from 10am on Thursday, 2 September 2010. A joint statement by the three countries will be issued at the close of the Ministerial Conference. Members of the media are invited to attend the closing session at 3p.m. Please confirm your attendance with Zolile Nqayi (082 8986483) or Claire Attwood (083 290 7995).

Issued by the Benguela Current Commission
1 September 2010

For further information:

Dr Hashali Hamukuaya (Executive Secretary: Benguela Current Commission)
+264 81 1278295 (Mobile)

Claire Attwood (Media Consultant: BCC)
+ 021 788-3893 or 083 290 7995

Picture Source: Flickr