SOUTH AFRICA

© Callum Evans / WWF South Africa

CONSERVING MARINE LIFE IN SOUTH AFRICAN SEAS

MARINE PROTECTED AREAS

DID YOU KNOW?
South Africa’s marine areas are among the most biodiverse on the planet. Our
beautiful coastline of over 3 000 km is teeming with some 13 000 species of
marine organisms, and our marine endemism (species found in one area only)
is third, after New Zealand and Antarctica only. Just as on land, conservation
efforts are crucial to protect these marine creatures and their habitats. That
is why marine protected areas (MPAs) are established, in the same way that
terrestrial nature reserves are.

WHAT EXACTLY IS AN MPA?

MPAs are designated regions in the ocean and along our shores where human
activities are regulated to protect marine ecosystems and biodiversity.

DOES SOUTH AFRICA HAVE MPAs?

South Africa boasts a rich and diverse marine environment, which is why
we have put 42 marine protected areas into legislation. These areas cover
approximately 5% of the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), © Thomas P. Peschak / WWF South Africa
contributing to global conservation targets.

OVER
13 000
species of marine organisms
ESTIMATED
26-33%
of marine endemism
42
marine protected areas (MPAs)
are recorded on South African is third highest in the world, after are legislated in South Africa
coastline New Zealand and Antarctica

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 © Andrey Necrasoc / WWF South Africa

IMPORTANCE OF MPAs
TYPES OF MPAs
Ecosystem protection:
IN SOUTH AFRICA
MPAs aid in protecting coastlines and habitats. 1. Restricted zones:
Keeping these healthy is crucial for completing
These are areas where all
essential life stages of fish populations, making
forms of extraction, including
them sustainable.
fishing and mining, are
prohibited.
Spillover effect:
When fish populations become sustainable - thanks 2. Controlled-use zones:
to being in protected areas - they are also able These are areas that allow
to thrive in adjacent areas. This is known as the for certain activities under
spillover effect, and it helps maintain healthy fish strict regulations to ensure
stocks as well as support food security. sustainability.

Economic benefits: 3. Multiple-use zones:

MPAs can boost local economies through These are areas that permit a
sustainable tourism and fisheries. range of activities, including
sustainable fishing, recreation
and tourism.
Climate resilience:
Protecting marine habitats enhances the resilience
of ecosystems to adapt to climate change impacts.

Cultural protection:
It is important to protect and preserve areas
used for spiritual practices and gatherings, for
future generations.

A mechanism for accountability:

Declaring an area as an MPA flags the importance
of the area as a habitat for certain species and
stimulates collaboration among policymakers,
scientists, practitioners and communities.
This creates a strong accountability mechanism
for governance.

Research and education:

MPAs also serve as important sites for scientific
research and environmental education.

© Gunnar Oberhosel / WWF South Africa

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 © Eric Miller / WWF South Africa

SOME OF SOUTH AFRICA’S MAJOR MPAs

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Tsitsikamma MPA:
Established in 1964, this is South
Africa’s oldest MPA and is 294 km2.
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It is part of the larger Garden Route

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National Park, and its clear waters

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offer great opportunities for diving

and snorkelling.

Table Mountain iSimangaliso

National Park MPA: Wetland Park MPA:
Encompassing the waters around the Known for its diverse ecosystems,
beautiful Cape Peninsula, this MPA this was declared a UNESCO World
includes Table Mountain, which is the Heritage Site in 1999 and contains four
7th Wonder of the World. Ramsar sites. 1

Betty’s Bay MPA: The Prince Edward Islands MPA:

This is known as one of the most important This is South Africa’s largest MPA
mainland breeding sites for the African and is 180 000 km2. To put this in
penguin, which is currently listed as perspective, the Kruger National Park
endangered and likely to be listed as is less than 20 000 km2. It is among
critically endangered in the near future. If the top 100 largest MPAs globally and
the continued downward trend continues is located offshore, in the Southern
this species will become extinct in the wild Ocean where it protects sub-Antarctic
by 2035. marine ecosystems.

MANAGEMENT OF MPAS
In South Africa, MPAs are the mandate of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries WWF AND MPAs
and the Environment (DFFE). This government department oversees the
WWF aids marine protection
establishment of MPAs, then delegates the authority to national, provincial and
initiatives by collaborating
municipal agencies who then manage the MPA to ensure that marine biodiversity
with NGOs and supporting
is conserved and that resources are used sustainably.
government towards achieving
These organisations often collaborate with academic institutions, NGOs and local the “30x30” target.
communities to ensure effective management and conservation of the MPAs, and
We also capacitate MPA
that all interests are balanced.
management agencies with
The DFFE works in collaboration with the following MPAs management various skills and knowledge
authorities: through training, while also
acting as a bridge that brings
1. South African National Parks (SANParks) communities and MPAs
2. Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife closer together.
3. CapeNature
4. Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism 1
A Ramsar site is a wetland area designated as being of
5. Local municipalities such as the City of Cape Town and international importance under the Ramsar Convention,
aimed at conserving wetlands and their resources.
Nelson Mandela Bay Metro

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 © Thomas P. Peschak / WWF South Africa

CHALLENGES MPA DAY

▪ Ensuring compliance with MPA regulations remains a challenge, due to limited
MPA Day is celebrated on
resources and vast marine areas.
1 August to raise awareness
▪ It is challenging to balance the needs of different stakeholders, including local about the importance of
communities, fishers and conservationists. marine protected areas and
their role in preserving marine
▪ MPAs run the risk of becoming ‘paper parks’ where funding and capacity for biodiversity. The day is marked
effective management are limited. with various activities and

▪ MPAs that are closer together have a higher degree of connectivity and this
events aimed at educating
the public about the benefits
increases the benefits of the spillover effect and protects the movement of fish.
of MPAs and encouraging
Connectivity is thus important to reduce and mitigate impacts of climate change.
conservation efforts.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS On MPA Day, activities

include photo competitions,
South Africa is one of many countries that signed a commitment known as the
discussions on social media,
Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) at the 15th Conference of
webinars, and community-led
Parties (COP15) of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity. Target 3 of the GBF
visits to MPAs. These events
strives to protect 30% of the Earth by 2030 to prevent further biodiversity loss and
stimulate discussions about the
to make the planet more resilient to climate change. This target is more commonly
significance of MPAs and how
referred to as “ GBF 30x30”. By aligning with “30x30”, South Africa aims to expand
they can contribute to ocean
marine protection through MPAs and other conservation measures. Efforts are
conservation. Participants are
also underway to improve management effectiveness of MPAs and to enhance
encouraged to share stories
compliance and promote equitable benefits for local communities.
and information (using the
hashtag #MPADay), promoting
CONCLUSION a collective effort to protect
Marine protected areas are vital for the conservation of South Africa’s marine marine environments for
biodiversity and the sustainable use of marine resources. These areas play a crucial future generations.
role in safeguarding fragile ecosystems and protecting endangered species, and thus
help maintain the health of the ocean. They also support sustainable fisheries and
tourism, and ensure the well-being of future generations who may may depend on
these resources for food, livelihoods and cultural heritage.

© Gunnar Oberhosel / WWF South Africa

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