SA Agulhas II set to embark on the International Indian Ocean expedition
The Minister of Environmental Affairs, Dr Edna Molewa, will brief members of the media about the International Indian Ocean Expedition 11 (IIOE-2). The South Africa leg of this major global scientific programme in collaborative oceanographic and atmospheric research commences on Wednesday, 18 October from Durban, along the East coast of Africa.
The IIOE is a multi-national programme of the United Nations Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) which emphasises the need to research the Indian Ocean (its influence on the climate and its marine ecosystem). South Africa’s contribution to the expedition is an African research cruise along the East of Africa from the SA Agulhas II.
This will be the first African-led research cruise, that is multi-disciplinary and comprising scientists and students from South Africa, Mozambique, Kenya, Nigeria and Egypt. Other international scientists and students joining the research cruise are from India, Belgium and Italy. The data collection will cover physics, chemistry, plankton, biodiversity, biology such as whales, seals and seabirds as well as geology. All these areas provide important information in understanding the ocean environment and its links to developing a successful Ocean Economy.
The SA Agulhas II will depart from Cape Town on Saturday, 14th October and arrive in Durban on the on Monday, 16th October. The invited African delegates and other scientists will embark in Durban.
The media is invited to the briefing as follows:
Date: 13 October 2017
Venue: SA Agulhas II auditorium, East Pier Road, East Pier Quay; V & A Waterfront
Time: 10:30
Note: There will be a tour of the vessel after the briefing.
Please bring along your ID book/card.
For media enquiries contact :
Zolile Nqayi
Cell: 082 898 6483
E-mail: znqayi@environment.gov.za
