The Coordinator of the Unit, Prof. Osmund Mwandemele, was appointed Pro-Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Research of the University of Namibia in Windhoek, Namibia, effective 01 January 2007. He will continue to be the overall in-charge of the Sam Nujoma Marine and Coastal Resources Research Centre at Henties Bay even though another scientist will be appointed at the Centre to look after the day to day activities of the Centre.
The Vice-Chancellor, following consultations held within UNAM, has appointed Dr. Eino Mvula as the Acting Director of the Sam Nujoma Marine and Coastal Resources Research Centre with effect from 01 February 2007.
Dr. Mvula is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry who has demonstrated great scientific excellence within the short period since completing his PhD in 2003 at the Max Planck Institut für Strahlenchemie in Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany, on a thesis entitled "Reaction of Ozone with Compounds Related to Drinking Water Processing: Phenol and its Derivatives".
Dr Mvula has also been able to attract research funds both locally and internationally. Because of his training background in 2003 he was appointed by stakeholders to be a lead scientist in the Centre's Novel Sources Water Research Programme while at the same time he will be able to assist in chemical analysis and quality control covering the various research programmes (mariculture, seaweeds, mushrooms, etc.). Dr. Mvula will work directly under the supervision of Prof. Mwandemele for the next one or two years before being confirmed as substantive Director. Prof. Mwandemele will also be the Chairman of the Centre's Board in his capacity as Pro-Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Research.
The Board held its first meeting for 2007 on 30 March 2007, which approved the Centre's 2007 work plan and budget. Since then a number of activities have been going on as reported hereunder.
Mariculture
The refurbishment of the re-circulation mariculture system has been completed as planned. A stock of 300 abalone have been received from Luderitz which will be used for several planned experiments, in addition to other indigenous fishes to be used as broodstock. The longstanding problem of how to extract seawater for the new mariculture research facility has eventually been solved. The construction of the huge mariculture system at the Centre is thus to start soon, with funding provided by the Government of the Republic of Namibia.
Seaweed Research
Research on the sustainable utilization of seaweed has progressed well. Some work done with students from the department of Natural Resources has revealed valuable information on the recovery rate of Laminaria following harvesting. This information is very important as this seaweed is very much preferred as a feed for abalone. Utilization of seaweeds as organic fertilizer and as a substrate for use in mushroom farming has continued to yield very exciting results. This has prompted one private company, Kuiseb Fishing Enterprises to become a partner in this research and has agreed to contribute resources to this effect following the signing of an MOU.
Mushroom Research
In addition to research, the Centre has continued to provide training on mushroom farming technologies to communities all over the country, and demands for such training continue to grow. Funding of these activities has been possible using the UNU ZERI Chair funds as well as other sources. The Centre has trained groups of people from Swakopmund, Otjimbingwe, Usakos, and Okambahe. The Centre also trained 25 youths from the National Youth Service of the Ministry of Youth, National Service, Sport and Culture, which paid for the training of the youth. The ZERI Management Unit has also done a very wonderful job with funding provided by NEDBANK. This year the Bank for the third time gave N$150 000 (US$20 000) in support for community training in mushroom farming. The latest training was carried out at Gobabis Municipality, which witnessed its first output of mushroom production two week ago. It was such a big success that the Bank has promised to extend the funding for another 3 years beginning 2008.
Coastal Agriculture and Biodiversity
With funding provided by the University, the Centre's Herbarium has now been filled with desert plants specimen, while the surroundings of the Centre have been planted with a number of various desert plant species, thus beautifying the environment. Also with research grants from the University's Research and Publication Committee awarded to staff members, projects on olive tree production, and screening of salinity tolerant plants are now being implemented by the Centre. The Centre also organised a very successful workshop on Olive tree production along the coast which was facilitated by experts from South Africa, and attended by several stakeholders and potential farmers. The Centre is now the focal point for olive tree distribution to farmers.
Coastal Environment
The University's Research and Publications Committee also awarded a research grant to two senior researchers to do research on corrosion along the coast since this is a very serious problem along the coast.
Novel Water Sources
The Research and Publication Committee has also awarded a research grant to a female Ph D student to do research on Fog Harvesting to yield fresh water for drinking and for other uses
Planning Retreat to Develop Work Plan for 2008
The Centre will hold its annual retreat during the last week of November to prepare the Work Plan and Budget for 2008.
Partnerships
The Centre has continued to establish partnership with both local and international institutions, both private and public. The Centre's Mariculture Advisor is now the Chairperson of the Namibian Aquaculture Society. The Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations has provided N$100 000-00 to support mariculture research while Hangana Fishing Company has agreed to support Ph D studies of one of our staff members doing a project on the farming of an indigenous fish species.
