WHO ARE WE?
T The Saldanha Bay Water Quality Forum Trust (SBWQFT) is a registered non-government organisation (NGO) that is voluntarily funded by large, medium and small industries operating within the area. This NGO creates a platform for discussions and mutual consent on the limitation and remediation of impacts on water quality and the marine ecosystem.
The SBWQFT acquires, receives and evaluates monitoring information effluents, marine water quality and ecosystem health. For over a decade the trust has collated scientific data, from the Saldanha Bay and Langebaan Lagoon ecosystems. The monitoring includes avifauna, many forms of marine life and sediment sampling at various points within this unique ecosystem.
OUR VISION
The Saldanha Bay Catchment Area is a sustainable ecological system where the SBWQFT, industry, government and the community work together as a team.
MISSION
To promote water quality and ecological system health through:
- Scientific monitoring, evaluating and reporting
- Equitable sharing of cost
- Informing and the provision of related advice
- Communication with interested and affected parties
- Sound administrative and financial management
In order to meet legal, environmental and social responsibilities.
PRINCIPLES
- Scientific Approach – monitor, evaluate and report
- User Pays (sharing monitoring cost)
- Stakeholder Representation (relevant entities/bodies/organisations)
- Public Participation
- Legal Compliance
- Financial Viability
VALUES
- Accountability
- Openness and Transparency
- Integrity, Honesty, Fairness and Trust
- Cooperation, Synergy and Inclusivity
PRIMARY GOAL 1
To monitor marine water quality and eco system health
Concept: To identify and verify all the relevant and required marine ecosystem monitoring parameters, to determine monitoring frequency of the various parameters, establish a Long Term (10-year) Monitoring programme schedule, ensure monitoring program implementation, including data collecting, data processing and reporting by external service provider through a process of outsourcing.
GOAL 2
To share costs of monitoring programmes
Concept: To identify all the contributors, categorise and approach them and ensure that they honour their commitments.
GOAL 3
To inform all relevant authorities & stakeholders of the monitoring results and provide advice where applicable
Concept: Disseminate results for short term and long term monitoring – Monthly Report, Quarterly Report, Annual Open Day & EIA Responsibility
GOAL 4
To communicate the monitoring activities/findings to industry, Government and the community
Concept: The how of communication internally and externally (Website & Education)
GOAL 5
To ensure sound administrative and financial management
Concept: Bookkeeping (Service Provider); Financial Management (Trustees) & Admin (Secretariat) (Operational Manager’s role)
