Eco Minute 13:30

BULLETIN 4 April 1:30 pm

Good afternoon, here is your Eco Minute:

# The City of Cape Town says its Invested in Hope Budget 2025/2026 prioritises improving the water quality of vleis, and strengthening the resilience of the coastline against the impact of climate change. The metro’s Spatial Planning and Environment Directorate is responsible for a coastline covering 307-kilometres; to preserve the unique and world-renowned biodiversity, among which are 21 nature reserves and wetlands. Deputy mayor, Eddie Andrews, says the Invested in Hope Budget considers the implications of climate change and population growth:

# The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment has been commended for its efficient response to the recent Pretoria High Court order, by issuing permit conditions enforcing revised closed fishing areas to protect penguins. The court issued an order stipulating areas around African Penguin breeding colonies, that would be closed to fishing for sardine, anchovy and redeye round herring for the next ten years. BirdLife South Africa says the department acted with speed to implement the changes to the fishing permits to reflect the revised closures.

# And finally: The European Union says the Nature Restoration Regulation is the first continent-wide, comprehensive law of its kind. The regulation aims to restore ecosystems, habitats, and species across the EU’s land and sea areas. These measures should cover at least 20-percent of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030, and ultimately all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050. Europe’s nature is declining, with more than 80-percent of habitats in poor condition. The EU says it is committed to achieving its climate mitigation and climate adaptation objectives.

Stay tuned for more news………….