1. INVITATION TO DEVELOP A NEW MARINE AND COASTAL RESEARCH PROGRAMME
Time frame: June 1993
During June 1993 the FRD Executive invited the SANCOR Leadership Group (now the SANCOR Steering Committee) to assist them in the formulation of a framework for a new marine and coastal research programme. The Department of Environment Affairs (now the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism) stated that they had a similar requirement.
2. STRATEGIC PLANNING WORKSHOP
Time frame: August 1993
A workshop took place on 23 and 24 August 1993 with the main objective to formulate an action plan for the development of a new structure and a first draft framework for a new research programme.
The workshop agreed that in the establishment of an action plan account would be taken of needs, opportunities, threats and critical factors necessary for success. This was done against the background of the political and economic realities of the country at that time. Thus a comprehensive SWOT analysis was undertaken at the workshop to enable the workshop to develop the first framework of a new research Programme.
3. FIRST BROAD DRAFT FRAMEWORK
Time frame: September 1993
A special edition of the SANCOR Newsletter was published in September 1993 (#134) which contained a report on the progress which had been made towards establishing the South African Network for Coastal and Oceanic Research (SANCOR).
The Special Edition also contained the ideas which had been formulated by the workshop to form the basis on a new Marine and Coastal Research Programme. The new Programme was envisaged to commence in 1995 and to run for a five year period initially. It was the intention that the Programme be designed in such a way to assist in addressing national needs by integrating the activities of organisations with ongoing research programmes of their own and in addition to identify priority issues not receiving adequate attention.
The following sub-programmes were identified by the workshop:
- managing the use of living marine resources
- managing the use of the coastal zone
- physical environment
- the coastal shelf zone.
Brief descriptions of the sub-programmes and some examples of projects which would be considered to fall in each sub-programme were published in this newsletter.
4. INFORMATION SESSIONS
Time frame : October 1993
A series of information sessions were arranged in the following centres where some of the ideas of the Network and new Programme were presented and discussed:
Cape Town 11 October 1993
Durban 11 October 1993
Grahamstown 11 October 1993
Port Elizabeth 24 September 1993.
5. CONTACT PERSONS IDENTIFIED TO TAKE THE LEAD IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF BROAD FRAMEWORKS FOR EACH SUB-PROGRAMME
Time frame : November and December 1993
At the Leadership Group meeting which took place on 19 November 1993, the following five persons were requested to act as contact persons to receive any suggestions and ideas and to further develop the broad framework of the proposed new sub-programmes.
- Living marine resources Dr KE Cochrane (SFRI)
- coastal management Dr DE Malan (DEA&T)
- marine environment Prof FA Shillington (UCT)
- mineral resources Prof IC Rust (UPE)
- general Mr OA van der Westhuysen (FRD)
A brief report to this effect was published in the December 1993 issue of the SANCOR Newsletter (#136). A report-back on the new research programme was also given at the first SANCOR Forum meeting which took place on 3 December 1993.
6. ACTIONS REQUIRED TO FURTHER DEVELOP THE NEW RESEARCH PROGRAMME
Time-frame: January 1994
The SANCOR Leadership Group met on 26 January 1994 to discuss and agree on actions which were required to further develop the new research programme.
The following decisions were made at the meeting:
- Concern was expressed about a perception that, because of the sub-programmes suggested, the marine science community viewed the programme as 'business as usual'. The Leadership Group agreed that the marine science community must be informed that the programme presented a significant shift from the past and present SANCOR initiatives. A serious attempt was made by the Leadership Group to involve new players to assist in helping to build a programme which would ensure a foundation for future managers and entrepreneurs in the new South Africa.
- the Leadership Group would develop an announcement of opportunity and members of the marine and coastal science community would be invited through the SANCOR Newsletter to submit letters of intent to reach the FRD before the end of February 1994
- the letters of intent would be grouped and reviewed at the next SANCOR Leadership Group meeting to be held on 16 March 1994
- workshops would then be arranged to develop a final, cohesive programme structure. Potential participants would then be invited to submit comprehensive project proposal during May 1994.
7. ANNOUNCEMENT OF OPPORTUNITY
Time-frame: January 1994
A special edition of the SANCOR Newsletter (#137) contained an announcement of opportunity to invite members of the MSET community to, individually or collectively, submit brief statements of intent for participation in the new Progarmme.
The announcement of opportunity had to be developed to include the broad aim of the new programme vizpromoting the wise use of marine and coastal resources through appropriate marine science, engineering and technology. In addition, characteristics which had to be sought in considering projects in the programme were also covered in the newsletter.
8. SUBMISSION OF LETTERS OF INTENT
Time frame: February 1994
Brief letters of intent (maximum of two A4 pages) giving a clear indication of the scope of the project (aims, objectives and rationale), its costing and time frame and the participating organisations were submitted. In addition to the level of funding, the letters of intent also indicated all anticipated sources of funding.
The deadline date for the letters of intent, to be submitted to the FRD, was 11 March 1994.
9. REVIEW AND GROUPING RESPONSES RECEIVED TO THE INVITATION FOR LETTERS OF INTENT.
Time frame: March 1994
A meeting of the SANCOR Leadership Group was held on 15 March 1994 to review and group the letters of intent and to agree on further actions.
A summary document was compiled for the meeting, by the FRD, which showed the time-frame, costs and geographical regions of the proposals, as well as brief summaries of the objectives of the proposed projects.
As a first attempt the proposals were grouped into the following categories:
- coastal (artisinal) communities and living resources
- mariculture sensu lato
- dunes and the coast per se
- tourism/cultural
- linefish
- variability, weather and climate
- pollution
- lobster resource
- sharks
- demersal resources
- Natal offshore
- offshore fish
- supporting technologies
- geoscience
The following issues were identified by the Leadership Group as real challenges in developing a new research Programme - accepting that expertise development, capacity building and social upliftment would be addressed by most of the proposed projects.
- sensible management of the living marine living resources with respect to coastal communities, the general public and industry
- managing the use of the coast wisely
- to properly address the health aspects of marine pollution rather than impacts on flora and fauna
- to provide basic oceanographic information as inputs into all management activities (viz weather, and climate, fisheries, coastal developments and maritime operations)
- the promotion of mariculture as a means of increasing the sustainable production of utilisable plant and animals through research partnerships
- to provide a basis for the utilisation of the mineral resources of the seabed and of the coast.
10. IDENTIFICATION OF DIFFERENT THRUSTS
Time frame: March 1994
After working through the documentation for that meeting, the SANCOR Leadership Group agreed that the new Programme be grouped into the following thrusts:
Thrust A Communities and living marine resources
Thrust B The coast as a resource
Thrust C Offshore living resources and society
Thrust D Ocean weather and climate
Thrust E Impacts of mineral exploitation (networking initially)
Thrust F Mariculture (networking initially)
It was stressed that while the above divisions were suggested as points of departure, they would only be meaningful if there was adequate cross-linking. The Leadership Group agreed that SANCOR must play a key role, specifically to act as a networking platform and also to demonstrate that a real need existed for a body such as SANCOR.
11. APPOINTMENT OF PLANNING GROUPS
Time frame: mid-March to mid-April 1994
Planning groups were appointed with the specific brief to plan and design workshops for each thrust. Specifically the convenors were requested that the workshops must be developed against the overall objectives of the SANCOR Programme and that specific briefs included the following:
- identification of social scientists and approach of these individuals to attend the workshops
- identification of possible foci to develop the thrust
- consideration of regional or community foci serving as integrating mechanisms within the thrust and with other thrusts
- in the early planning of the workshop, the planning group must identify which letters of intent should be considered in preparing the thrust
- identification of potential gaps in capacity, as input to the FRD and the participating organisations, to allow them to initiate action
- on the basis of all considerations, including the available letters of intent, perceived gaps and potential links and alliances, and expected rough funding level of the thrust, a possible project portfolio (or sets of project portfolios if there were to be more than one sub-focus)
- identification of potential panel members to assist with peer review of the proposals
- both planning groups and workshops should report-back to the Leadership Group on the above issues, to allow them to consolidate all workshops reports and to indicate to researchers the nature of the expected final proposal.
The following convenors were appointed for each thrust:
Thrust |
Covenor |
Thrust A : Coastal communities and living marine resources |
Prof GM Branch (UCT) |
Thrust B : The coast as a resource |
Dr DE Malan (DEA&T) |
Thrust C : Offshore living resources and society |
Dr L Hutchings (SFRI) |
Thrust D : Ocean weather and climate |
Prof GB Brundrit (UCT) |
Thrust E : Impacts of mineral exploitation |
Dr Swart (Ematek, CSIR) |
Thrust F : Mariculture |
Prof T Hecht (RU) |
12. MEETINGS OF WORKSHOP PLANNING COMMITTEES
Time frame: mid-March to April 1994
Meetings for each Workshop planning committee were arranged. Each Thrust Planning Committee met to:
- discuss all the letters of intent and identify those which fitted into the specific thrust and also to identify possible interactions with other thrusts
- identify gaps and capacity building
- compile a list of invited key people to participate in the workshops
- decide on further sequence of events in the process of planning and designing the workshops
- draw up a preliminary Thrust proposal to be taken to the next round of workshops for open debate.
13. REPORT-BACK OF WORKSHOP PLANNING COMMITTEES TO LEADERSHIP GROUP
Time frame: mid-April 1994
A meeting of the Leadership Group and the convenors of the Workshop Planning Committees took place on 19 April 1994 to:
- review progress of the various thrusts
- discuss how best to develop the interlinking between these thrusts
- discuss the schedule for the rest of the year for the re-structure and coordinating of the different thrusts.
14. SCOPING OF WORKSHOPS FOR PROGRAMME THRUSTS
Time frame: May 1994
A special edition of the SANCOR Newsletter (April 1994 #138) contained the new scope of the Programme and a brief summary of the objectives of each thrust, as outlined by the workshop planning committees.
The Newsletter invited any interested persons and affected parties who wished to make an input into the development of the various thrusts, to attend the workshops at their own expense.
The workshops were arranged to take place in Cape Town on the following dates:
- 16 May 1994 Mariculture
- 17 May 1994 The coast as a resource
- 18 May 1994 The coast as a resource (closed workshop)
- 19 May 1994 Communities and living marine resources
- 20 May 1994 Communities and living marine resources (closed workshop)
- 23 May 1994 Ocean impacts
- 24 May 1994 Offshore living resources and society
- 30 May 1994 Impacts and mineral exploitation
15. WORKSHOPS
Time frame: mid May to June 1994
The workshops enabled the broader marine science community, as well as the users of their products and key environmental sociologists and environmental economists to participate in the further development of the Thrusts. The Thrust proposals were then modified in the light of this input.
16. PROGRAMME FRAMEWORK FOR THE SEA AND THE COAST
Time frame: June 1994
The modified Thrust descriptions were included in a special edition of the SANCOR Newsletter (#139 June 1994). Certain statements were duplicated in the various thrusts but this had been done to ensure that each thrust was reasonably complete in itself.
The Newsletter contained an executive summary and the framework of each Thrust and included the following sections:
- preamble
- rationale
- aim
- objectives
- guiding principles in the research approach
- problems to be addressed in each thrust
- possible techniques and strategies
17. SUBMISSION OF RESEARCH PROPOSALS FOR THE SEA AND THE COAST PROGRAMME FOR 1995
Time frame: June to mid-August 1994
The Special Edition (#139 June 1994) also contained an invitation to research communities to submit research proposals to the FRD before 15 August 1994. An indication of preliminary annual guideline amounts for each thrust (which were at that stage still being negotiated) was also given.
The format specifications of the project proposals (maximum 7 A4 pages, appendices included) were given such that the scope of the project would be clearly indicated. The following headings were included:
- Thrust
- project title
- project leader(s) and participating organisation(s)
- duration of project
- summary of finding for duration of project
- objectives
- aims
- rationale
- workplan
- students and their institutions
- end products
- costing (manpower, running expenses and capital equipment)
- funds from other sources
- abbreviated CV of project leader(s)
Institutions were encouraged to collaborate and submit joint proposals, but was requested to make it clear in the proposal on how the funding would be split.
The project-leaders were also requested to indicate at least two potential foreign and four local evaluators for each project as all proposals would be thoroughly evaluated in the period August to October 1994.
18. PROMOTION OF THE SEA AND THE COAST PROGRAMME
Time frame: end August to September 1994
A presentation of the thinking behind, and the broad framework of, the Programme was made to the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, The Foundation for Research Development and the Human Sciences Research Council on 29 and 30 August 1994 by some of the people who had been intimately involved in the development of the different thrusts namely Prof Branch, Prof Brundrit, Dr Cochrane and Prof Hecht.
Similar presentations were also given to the Southern African Development Bank, USAID and the South African Navy.
19. EVALUATION PROCESS
Time frame: mid-August to mid-November 1994
SANCOR Evaluation Management Group
A SANCOR Evaluation Management Group (SEMG) consisting of Dr Cochrane (convenor), Dr Beckley, Prof Brundrit, Prof Hecht, Dr Malan and Mr Krohn was appointed in consultation between the DEA&T and FRD. This group met for the first time on 8 September 1994 with the main aim to screen the project proposals in order
- to identify duplication and overlap of the different project proposals and the potential for collaboration and linkage of these proposals
- to consider the degree to which project proposals complied with the overall objectives of the Programme.
In many instances project proposals directly addressed a number of key aims of the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) and these proposals, because of their direct relevance to the RDP, were submitted, on the advice of the SEMG, to the Director General of DEA&T for consideration for direct RDP funding. A number of proposals also addressed research with regard to various aspects of coastal tourism in South Africa and these proposals were submitted to the Tourism section of DEA&T for consideration for direct funding.
The SEMG met again on 3 and 4 November 1994 to compile, analyse and synthesize all the evaluations results which had been received. The SEMG worked through all the evaluation results in order to collate the scores and comments into a single score. The single scores were then ranked in order of priority. The SEMG did not attempt to prioritise the proposals across the various thrusts, but ranked the proposals into the following categories:
- category A highly desirable
- category B desirable
- category C funded if funds were available
- category X outside the aims of the Programme
Anonymous peer review
All project proposals were sent to at least two South Africans for anonymous evaluations.
International Evaluation Panel
Three international foreign scientists were invited to assist with the evaluation of project proposals which had been submitted to Thrusts A, B and C. They were
- Dr Tony Pitcher, Director, Fisheries Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver
- Dr Daniel Pauly, Director, Life Sciences, International Centre for Living Aquatic Resource Management (ICLARM), Manila, Philippines
- Dr Bill Peterson, Manager, GLOBEC, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Washington DC. USA
The Panel met from 26 to 30 September 1994 in Cape Town to consider the proposals from their (global) perspective and in terms of 22 criteria developed by them from the information contained in the call for proposals and a series of questions provided to them (as in the anonymous peer review). Their report, including the criteria, but excluding the rating of and comments on specific proposals were published in a special edition of the SANCOR Newsletter (# 140 September 1994).
Mr Carlos FW Wurmann Gotfirt, Director of Marine Resources from the Chilean Foundation attended, as an invited quest, the Aquaculture Society conference from 21 to 23 September 1994 in South Africa. He assisted with the evaluation of the project proposals which had been submitted to the Mariculture Thrust.
Project proposals submitted to Thrusts D on Ocean Impacts were evaluated by Dr John Klick of the Centre for Coastal Physical Oceanography, Old Dominion University, Norfolk Virginia, USA.
Social, economic and community development panel
The panel consisted of local people with social, economic and community development expertise to consider all proposals in terms of their relevance and priority in South Africa at that time. A document which contained their general comments was produced.
20. MEETING OF MAIN STAKEHOLDERS AND THE SANCOR LEADERSHIP GROUP
Time frame: November 1994
A meeting between the SANCOR Leadership Group and main stakeholders took place on 17 November 1994. The main function of the meeting was to
- consider support of the project proposals which had been received to participate in the new The Sea and the Coast Programme
- decide on a structure for the management of The Sea and the Coast Programme
- nominate the stakeholder representatives to the Leadership Group.
Stakeholders who attended the meeting were representatives of DEA&T, FRD, SA Navy and Human Sciences Research Council.
21. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SEA AND THE COAST PROGRAMME
Time frame: 1995 to 2000
The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism and the Foundation for Research Development formally agreed that the four thrusts namely
- Coastal communities and living marine resources
- The coast as a resource
- Offshore living resources
- Mariculture
become a separate Joint Venture Programme identified as The Sea and the Coast Programme. The life-span of the Prograrmme would be to the end of the year 2000.
Note: The suite of project proposals which had been submitted to Thrust D on Ocean impacts were found not appropriate for The Sea and the Coast Programme. The FRD undertook to support existing concerned grant-holder bursaries with deep water oceanography as an interim measurement during 1995 until the new suite of FRD programmes would become available for implementation in 1996.
A Schnetler, FRD
Checked and verified by
Dr LV Shannon, chairman of the Leadership Group,
and Prof Hecht, chairman of the SANCOR Forum
for the period of the development of The Sea and the Coast Programme.
19990318
