Project Partners
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SAM NUJOMA MARINE & COASTAL RESOURCES RESEARCH CENTRE, UNIVERSITY OF NAMIBIA (SANUMARC) (www.unam.na/centres/henties/about_sanumarc.html) |
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Represented by Prof Edosa Omoregie and
SANUMARC serves Namibia through promoting research and development activities in the field of marine and coastal resources, taking into consideration the unique comparative and competitive advantage of the Benguela cold current ecosystem. Research conducted at the Centre towards developing the fisheries and agriculture sectors complements what is done by the Ministries of Fisheries and Marine Resources as well as Agriculture, Water and Forestry. The Centre is part of the United Nations University, as an Operating Unit of its Institute for Natural Resources of Africa, based in Accra, Ghana. SANUMARC was established with a view to promote sustainable and responsible utilization of Namibia's coastal resources for the benefit of all Namibians; and to undertake appropriate research to beneficiate the resources and to share the benefit/experience with land-locked countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, and beyond.
SANUMARC aims to be a research facility, a teaching & training hub, a technology demonstration centre and to provide extension services. SANUMARC actively seeks out local, regional and international partnerships in order to benefit from the research and technologies needed to implement that already exist elsewhere in the world (i.e. alternative energy technologies, expertise in mariculture, coastal agriculture etc.). The Centre has seven research priorities, including mariculture research and development, marine algae R&D, mushroom R&D, coastal agriculture and plant biodiversity, renewable energy sources, water resources, and the coastal environment. It also aims to assist disadvantaged communities in the Coastal region by providing expertise and helping to source funds. Areas include the promotion of mushroom production, assisting with horticulture development projects, the promotion of the use of biogas as a low cost source of energy, and the promotion of uses for beach cast seaweed. SANUMARC also encourages school visits to stimulate interest in science among youngsters.
The Centre is located on a 98 hectare site, just to the north of the town of Henties Bay. It provides immediate access to several unique ecosystems, including the Benguela cold water current of the Atlantic Ocean, the Central Namib Desert, and the ephemeral Omaruru river catchment area, with its major groundwater aquifers. A little to the North of the Centre is the Cape Cross Seal Colony (the largest breeding colony in Namibia), Welwitschia Plains and the Skeleton Coast National Park. To the South is the busy fishing port of Walvis Bay, and the Namib Naukluft Park. Infrastructure includes an administration building, which houses offices, library, boardroom, herbarium & microbiological laboratories; a Mariculture Research Building; a general wet laboratory for practical teaching; accommodation for students and visiting scientists; a hall with lecture facilities; a mushroom house; a greenhouse; and a large workshop/shed for vehicles and storage.