Eco Minute 13:30

BULLETIN 29 October 1:30 pm

Good afternoon, here is your Eco Minute:

# The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment has determined the total allowable catch for the South African abalone fishery for the 2025/26 season at 12.01 tons. This drastic cut comes as abalone stocks have continued to decline severely across most zones, with near-zero densities recorded along much of the coast. Minister Dion George says there is an urgent need to combat the scourge of abalone poaching, with illegal catches in 2023 exceeding 13.85 million:

# University of Johannesburg graduate, Ntitiseng Moloi, has written and published an educational children’s book that introduces young readers to renewable energy in a fun and accessible way. Titled “Winnie Catches the Sun,” uses a relatable South African story to teach children about solar energy and how it works. Moloi says through this book, she hopes to inspire young readers to imagine how innovation and clean energy can power a brighter, more sustainable future for all. She adds that she wants to ignite children’s curiosity about science and sustainability.

# And finally: Hurricane Melissa is heading towards eastern Cuba after crossing Jamaica as the strongest storm ever to hit the Caribbean nation in modern history. The storm has weakened to a category three but is expected to remain powerful with wind speeds of 125 kilometres per hour. Melissa is responsible for seven deaths, three in Jamaica during storm preparations, three in Haiti and one in the Dominican Republic. Jamaica’s prime minister, Andrew Holness, told CNN the island has been declared a disaster area:

Stay tuned for more news………….