Ocean Messengers

WE care about sea matters

Consulting, research and solutions for the environment and industry

The Film Ocean Messengers was the offical launch, on an international basis

Ocean Messengers what we do, and what our aims are:

The concept of Ocean Messengers, NGO section 21, is different from all other NGOs within South Africa.
Ocean Messengers is concentrating on one geographical area at first within SA.
Exactly the area between Cape St Francis and Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape.

The Coega deep water harbour is both the greatest industrial development opportunity and the biggest threat to the surrounding environment in the history of Port Elizabeth and Algoa Bay as well as to South Africa. Hence it becomes imperative to substantially increase the awareness of the threats in order to monitor and limit the negative impacts i.e. socially, economically and environmentally. Especially in the sea since this area fears the highest threat but is least protected.

The general public is unaware of the tremendous natural resource assets that are under serious threat. The area is rich in both terrestrial and marine biodiversity. In fact the area is listed in the top four richest areas in the world in terms of biodiversity. The convergence of terrestrial and marine biodiversity in one area makes the Algoa Bay extremely vulnerable to the impact of global warming and climate change.

The different species have complex inter-dependencies. If one species becomes extinct due to unsuitable conditions, it may also threaten the survival of other species. For instance, many plants spread and thrive through birds eating their fruit and scattering their seeds via their droppings. If the birds are forced to migrate to a cooler area, then the regional survival of the plant species is also threatened. Simplified, global warming will impact on oceans, warmer oceans will impact on climate, and climate will impact on terrestrial ecology. The ‘ocean is boss’.

Biological diversity – the source of enormous environmental, economic, and cultural value – will be threatened by rapid climate change. The composition and geographic distribution of ecosystems will change as individual species respond to new conditions created by climate change. At the same time, habitats may degrade and fragment in response to other human pressures. Species that cannot adapt quickly enough may become extinct – an irreversible loss. There is already evidence that marine life in Algoa Bay is decreasing at an alarming rate.

 

We believe the NGO “Ocean Messengers” and the film in particular will create an awareness second to none because it illustrates what the eye cannot see i.e. it takes the viewer underwater and introduces the uninformed to the incredible diversity of marine life that exists in Algoa Bay providing evidence as to why this ‘biodiversity hotspot’ is one the unique dive sites in the world. In this regard we believe our film “Ocean Messengers” will not only have a huge impact on those unaware and uninformed people who will be influenced and affected by the potential toxic waste polluting industries around Port Elizabeth, South Africa, but mainly the film will create an awareness within the industry itself!

The arguments are based on the predicted investments by different companies (Alcan, Aluminum Smelter, some Chemical Companies, and waste management), and their predicted turnover and employment, that we as Ocean Messengers can and will be able to prove the following:

  • That all eco tourism-related businesses will be negatively affected and may even have to close down, due to pollution and heavy metals, (if the politics of these companies doesn’t change)
  • That the environment as in land and sea, particularly around Port Elizabeth (PE) will be badly and irreversibly harmed and destroyed, and that the arguments of employment from the industries can be outnumbered by all affected tourist partners who will sign an affidavit stating that if these industries do not establish themselves, then each eco-tourism company will employ one additional staff (which will probably mean more than 1.000 new jobs, instantly!) and long term 2 new employees!

Ocean Messengers will show a comparison with facts and figures about the failures which have occurred in the past (1900 – 1930) e.g. Sundays River Valley which led to the initiation and founding of Addo Elephant National Park which has been subsidised by Government and international funding agents since the 30s and has cost South Africa several billion Rand already to make good - after destroying habitat and elephant population.