Safari Notes

There is no doubt, that the World's waters are being over fished; be it in rivers or lakes or oceans. In many parts of the world, there is already very little fish to catch. But the ICCAT , which states that ' Science underpins the management decisions made by ICCAT ', has brushed aside recommendations by its own scientists to opt for catching more fish. From the WWF : The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), meeting in Marrakech, Morocco, for the past week, brushed aside its own review’s description of its management of the bluefin fishery as “an international disgrace” to endorse a total allowable catch (TAC) of 22,000 tonnes for next year. ICCAT’s own scientists had recommended a TAC ranging 8,500 to 15,000 tonnes per year, warning there were real risks of the fishery collapsing otherwise. The scientists also urged a seasonal closure during the fragile spawning months of May and June, while today’s outcome allows industrial fishing in

If you had been to Mauritius' capital several years ago, you might not recognise it today. Back then, Port Louis didn't offer very much for the visitor to do or see. But Port Louis has had a face lift, and these days there's plenty to keep you busy. The new Caudan Waterfront is considered by many to be the main tourist attraction in Port Louis. With trendy shops, cinemas, restaurants and a casino, it has become the hub of the city. However, there are other places of interest for people who want to explore the city's jumble of crumbling old edifices and shiny new buildings a little further. >>>>> read more: GoAfrica More on Port Louis: Google Map , Tropiscope , Time and Date , Yahoo Travel , World66 , Knol , Wikipedia , Travel Mauritius , Infoplease , Encyclopedia , African Trips , BBC Weather , MPA , Municipal , mysterra , Topix , News

Mauritius again leads! In a 'child friendly index', done by an independent advocacy agency, assessing the treatment of children in African countries , the island nation came top. In East Africa, only Kenya comes at the top. From the BBC : Amongst the top 10 were Namibia and Malawi, which did far better than richer countries like Sudan and Angola. Mauritius was top and Guinea-Bissau bottom in ratings based on factors such as spending on health and education. "Governments that have come out well have put in place laws to protect children from abuse and exploitation, and they've targeted resources at children through better health and education." "Countries that invest in children will have a more productive work-force and the foundation of a more peaceful and democratic country." Congratulations to Mauritius and their leaders! Can the other African countries do the needed and the same. In the long run, taking care of children, takes care of Africa. Map: B

From Australia comes this very good news to save the bush stone curlew from extinction. Go to ABC here and here : Two landholders in southern New South Wales may have helped to save a threatened species of bird from extinction. The bush stone curlew is a ground-dwelling bird endangered in NSW, Victoria and South Australia. It is estimated the bird's population has declined by two-thirds in the past 20 years, with foxes and cats being their main predators. Two landholders in southern New South Wales have fulfilled their dream of saving an endangered species from extinction. They are the first to successfully breed the ground-dwelling bird, the Bush Stone-curlew, and release it back into the wild. And they say they weren't driven by science but what they call an 'insane passion' to see the population survive. For more on the bird, read this and this .

Picture an island that has everything. A dream tropical island. Large, lush and green. With mountains and valleys; streams, rivers and lakes. With some of the most exotic, rarest and weirdest form of animals that exist nowhere else on this Planet. And inhabited by some of the friendliest and humblest of people. That is Madagascar . A Paradise. A paradise that has become so desperately poor, that it has to give half of its arable land to foreigners to earn some money. What went wrong? Why is Madagascar not that dream island? Lack of proper economic planning with a vision, and having had for a long time, incompetent governance and a flawed economic system that aimed at achieving a 'socialist paradise' but failed; it is desperately poor, is ranked near the bottom of the United Nations Development Program's Human Development Index; and most of its people live in poverty and live on less than a dollar a day. Much of its rain forests have disappeared and with time and no proper c

Millions of Somalis have fled there homeland and have taken refuge in neighboring countries and distant places; millions more, live within the country displaced from their homes and live in terror, and in very difficult circumstances and conditions; while thousands, each year, in great danger from pirates and the treacherous sea, try to cross the sea for the safety in the countries to their North. Pirates roam and rule the seas. And a few warlords continue to bicker and quarrel about their country. At what cost? In all this tragedy, Somalia's wildlife , especially fish and other wild animals, are paying a very high price. With a coastline of 2,000 miles, its coastal waters does not have any protection from its government; an armada of foreign owned vessels, using all kinds of means, mercilessly continue to plunder its waters and loot indiscriminately; and take what they want as they wish. As for other wild animals, there are very few now left; and those left, are being mercilessly

Its very simple and very much worth your time. To take action! Go to the campaigns section of the World Wildlife Fund ; or the Australian organization which is helping very much with the campaign on Climate Change: The Big Switch .