SADSTIA communications consultant, Claire Attwood, was among seven South African marine scientists, technicians and science communicators to win recognition at the three-yearly South African Marine Science Symposium that was held in Port Elizabeth in July.
Attwood won one of two Marine and Coastal Communicator awards. These awards are made to individuals or groups of individuals in recognition of their outstanding contributions towards communication of information about the marine and coastal environment to the public via various media at various levels. The awards serves as acknowledgement of, and a symbol of appreciation for, the dedication, enthusiasm and diligence of the such communicators.
The second recipient of the Marine and Coastal Communicator award was Jone Porter, director of education at uShaka Sea World.
Attwood has worked as communications consultant to SADSTIA since 2016. She also works for a number of other companies and organisations, all of which are active in the field of fisheries or marine environmental management. (See citation below.)
“We are proud of Claire’s achievements and happy to be working with a professional of her calibre,” said SADSTIA secretary, Johann Augustyn. “The deep-sea trawling industry is sustainable and internationally competitive and Claire is helping us to communicate some of our successes through a range of local and international media.”
Others who were honoured by the South African Network of Coastal and Oceanic Research (SANCOR) at SAMS were:
SANCOR Young Researchers Award
Acknowledges a new generation of scientists and encourages research excellence in science in the marine and coastal environment
- Dr Sarah Fawcett
- Dr Romina Henriques
Derek Krige Medal
Awarded in recognition of outstanding achievements in the field of technical support to marine science in South Africa
In memory of the late Mr Barrie Rose
Gilchrist Medal
Awarded to distinguished marine scientists. The medal serves as recognition of the recipient’s contributions to marine science, to further stimulate excellence in marine science and to focus on South Africa’s marine and coastal environments
- Prof Peter Ryan
- Prof John J. Bolton
Recipient of the
MARINE AND COASTAL COMMUNICATOR AWARD 2017
Professional Category
Claire Attwood
In recognition of outstanding contributions towards communication of information about the marine and coastal environment to the public. This award serves as an acknowledgement of, and a symbol of appreciation for, the dedication, enthusiasm and diligence of the persons performing such communication.
As an environmental writer/journalist, editor and communications consultant, Claire writes articles on an array of fisheries, aquaculture and fisheries-related issues and produces reviews, reports and copy for various print outlets and programmes. She is also an avid photographer and consults with organizations on their media strategies, within the fisheries and marine conservation sector. In South Africa science communication and pubic engagement is a very small niche with marine communicators being few and far between. Despite this Claire has managed to leave an indelible mark in the area of science communication and public engagement. She has many years of experience as an observer, writer, editor, photographer and journalist in SA fisheries and environmental organizations here and abroad. She has done work in and for countries like Angola, Namibia, Ghana, Tanzania, Mozambique, Bengal and Mauritius to name a few through the various Large Marine Ecosystem programmes. Her expertise is sought after because she has an in-depth understanding of the marine environment coupled with keen insights into the fishing industry, government departments involved with fisheries and policy, fishing companies and their operations and how best to translate complex marine issues to the greater public. Hence her writing, editing, photographing, and graphic designing skills, as well as the ability to develop effective multi-media strategies are impeccable. Additionally, Claire possesses wonderful inter-personal skills and has an extremely good understanding and approach to the human aspects related to fisheries and conservation. She writes well-researched, balanced, high quality, in-depth, perceptive and sometimes passionate pieces. Claire’s writings have extended beyond fisheries related matters into the realm of marine conservation, education resources, training manuals, aquaculture and her outputs are valued and widely utilised by the South African marine science community. She has covered topical and sometime controversial issues through various platforms. She is an extremely professional, committed and talented journalist and science communicator who has played an important role, mostly in the background, by giving an effective voice to those who need to share their messages and viewpoints, be these heads of government departments, CEOs of companies, fisher folk, scientists or fisheries managers. Her writing has helped government departments, fishing industries and other programmes/organisations develop more friendly and open public profiles which has often resulted in communication channels/collaborations being unlocked. She fully deserves to be recognized for the important role she has played as a marine science communicator and for being a great example of quality and professionalism in this field.
