Previous Co-ordinating Groups
   

Co-ordinating Groups

  • consist of scientists/educators and other interested persons sharing a common interest and actively involved in a defined topic of research (irrespective of whether or not they are directly funded by The SEAChange Programme)
  • promote interaction among people with a joint interest in a defined topic
  • communicate, discuss and develop findings of scientists/educators involved in research on that topic
  • provide a forum for networking with groups, including those which may be active outside The SEAChange Programme
  • assist with the identification of research/education needs
  • invite additional persons with relevant expertise to participate
  • report to the SANCOR Forum and/or the SANCOR Steering Committee

"Whenever a critical need for research/education effort is identified a motivation for the establishment of a co-ordinating group will be considered.
 
The following Co-ordinating Groups are currently in existence:
  1. Biotelemetry Research Group (BRG)
  2. Consortium for Estuarine Research and Management (CERM)
  3. Eastern Cape Research Association for Marine Researchers (ECRAM)
  4. KwaZulu-Natal Marine and Coastal Management Research Group (KZN-MRG)
  5. Marine and Coastal Educators Network (MCEN)
  6. Marine Linefish Research Group (MLRG)

Chairperson: Dr Paul Cowley - p.cowley@ru.ac.za
 
The Biotelemetry Research Group (BRG) was established in 2006. In the light of an opportunity to collaborate on an international project called The Ocean Tracking Network (OTN), it was decided that there was a need to coordinate, prioritize and promote telemetry research within the SA marine science community. A partnership with the Canadian-based global OTN programme has been formalized and a Memorandum of Understanding and a letter of financial commitment between BRG and Dalhousie University (institutional home of the OTN) were signed in September 2006. 
Chairperson: Prof Guy Bate - bateg@netfocus.co.za
 
CERM aims to provide a platform for affiliated organisations and individuals with diverse expertise to collaborate in promoting the wise management of estuarine systems. This is achieved through joint participation in directed research, training, and information and technology sharing.
 
 Chairperson: Dr Ronel Nel - ronel.nel@nmmu.ac.za
ECRAM aims:
  • To promote the sustainable utilization of the living marine and estuarine resources of the Eastern Cape Province
  • To provide scientific information for the sustainable management, species and habitat conservation, and optimal use of these resources
  • To engage in collective research programmes to achieve the above 
The role of the KZN-MRG is to identify, evaluate, prioritise and promote management-related research needs relating to marine, coastal and estuarine resources in KwaZulu-Natal. The KZN-MRG also aims to facilitate communication and networking amongst scientists engaged in management-related research, and to evaluate the usefulness of research products. In doing so, the research capacity vested in the province of KwaZulu-Natal can be maintained and developed in accordance with regional needs.
Chairperson: Dr Colin Attwood- colin.attwood@uct.ac.za
MLRG aims
  • To focus and co-ordinate linefish research efforts and direction
  • To formulate and prioritise linefish research projects
  • To solicit funding for linefish research projects
  • To facilitate the transfer of linefish research results to managers and users
  • To organise periodic workshops and conferences


TASK TEAMS

Task Teams are set up by the SANCOR Steering Committee, as and when necessary, to carry out specific tasks, which are usually of limited duration.
Task Groups that existed in the past were:
  1. Communication Task Group
  2. Regional Seas Task Group
  3. Marine Reserves Task Group
  4. Promotions and Education Task Group (Final Report)
  5. Membership Task Group
  6. Stakeholders Task Group (Final Report)
  7. Corrective Action Task Group (Final Report)
  8. Socio-Economics Task Team
  9. Capacity Building Task Team (SANCOR Occasional Report Number 6)
The following Task team is in existence at present:
 
Dive Task Team
 
Chairperson: Mr Michael Farquhar - mfarquhar@aquarium.co.za
This task team was formed to keep the SANCOR community informed about developments in the field of Scientific Diving, especially with regard to the Dive Council