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The Deputy Director General of Water and Environmental Affairs, Dr Monde Mayekiso says one of the main challenges that faces ocean work in South Africa is the need to build capacity.
Speaking at the launch of National Marine Week at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University on Monday morning, Mayekiso said South Africa has limited capacity compared with other countries.
"We have started now working with partnerships with various institutions, one of them is with Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and the intention is to improve the capacity of the country" he said.
The department is also in the process of developing an oceans policy for the country as well as awaiting the outcome of an extended shelf claim to be evaluated by the United Nations.
If successful it will more than double ocean space under South African jurisdiction.
NMMU, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Thokozile Mayekiso says the university has prioritised marine and maritime studies and research.
"Our partnership with the Department of oceans and coast will assist us in achieving our vision in relations to marine studies. It is very important the fact that 70% of the world is ocean and he fact that as an institution we are located along the coast" Mayekiso said.
