New chair for estuary forum
A new chairperson has been elected for the Great Break Estuary Advisory Forum (GBEAF).
Mushfiqah Abrahams now chairs the forum.
"I was nominated for the role of chairperson of the GBEAF on the basis of my qualification in environmental and estuary management and six years of on-the-ground estuary management experience, and an abiding passion for estuarine sciences and all they entail," said Abrahams.
Her nomination was supported by the Great Brak Conservancy and the Southern Estuarine Rehabilitation Action Group (SERAG), a charity organisation focused on finding sustainable rehabilitative solutions for the Great Brak Estuary.
"I feel strongly that with my background, knowledge and skills, I can drive and prioritise both the short-term and long-term goals of the Estuary Advisory Forum (EAF) and I am deeply proud of the faith and trust placed in me. Hopefully by working together, and with constructive dialogue over what can sometimes be quite tricky topics, we can deliver value for all parties now and in the future."
The responsibility of the chairperson is to ensure the EAF functions properly, that there is full participation during meetings, that all relevant matters are discussed and that effective decisions are made and carried out.
The forum's purpose includes acting as an effective communication channel between stakeholders, ensuring the estuary is being managed in accordance with all applicable legislation and ensuring recreational activities are carried out and permitted within a framework that guarantees sustainability and the least amount of peripheral interference and negative impact on the environment.
The broader community is able to voice concerns and raise issues via the GBEAF. This includes ratepayers' associations, NGOs, community groups, conservancies and representatives from surrounding industries and agriculture.
Abrahams mentioned that if a member of the public wishes to become a member of the EAF for the Great Brak Estuary or any other estuary within Mossel Bay, they should complete the relevant membership forms provided by the responsible management authority (RMA), which is the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning: Biodiversity and Coastal Management. These details can be retrieved from the Environmental Management department at Mossel Bay Municipality.