Along the South African coastline, there are 42 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) which provide crucial safe havens for animals and plants in the ocean, and also support human communities.
A consortium of South African organisations will, on Sunday, August 1, be the first, globally, to celebrate a day dedicated to the conservation of critical ocean areas which allow marine life to thrive, reproduce and grow.
Divers come from all over the world to experience the magnificent diving in Sodwana Bay in the Isimangaliso MPA. This boosts the local economy. Photo: Eve Marshall
“While many people are aware of the importance of terrestrial protected areas, such as nature reserves and game parks, few understand that the same level of protection can – and must – be afforded our ocean life as well,” explained Dr Judy Mann, Conservation Strategist at SAAMBR (South African Association for Marine Biological Research). “These are effectively the Kruger National Parks of the oceans and an investment in our own future well-being.”
Here’s a look at some of the reasons to celebrate MPA Day on August 1.
The magnificent Mkambathi Falls are one of the few waterfalls in the world that drop directly into the ocean. This spectacular natural wonder is found in the Pondoland MPA. Photo: Judy Mann
1. Ensure biodiversity They protect a range of marine ecosystems which are home to rare or endangered species, as well as uniquely South African animals and plants that live nowhere else in the world. They protect critical nursery habitats for marine creatures and provide a space for resident fish species to increase in number and size, securing a vital food source for humans.
2. Support adjacent fisheries MPAs enable fish stocks to increase in size and abundance and, over time, these spill over into adjacent fished areas to improve catches for fisheries.
3. Ensure healthy marine animals Through the establishment of MPAs, marine animals are genetically stronger, which means they can better adapt to changes in the ocean.
4. Protect cultural heritage The ocean is a revered space for cleansing, worship, inspiration and rejuvenation, and by protecting these spaces, traditional practices can continue, connecting present generations with cultural roots.
5. Promote tourism These areas are invaluable spaces for recreational activities, including snorkelling, scuba diving, whale watching and turtle nesting, among others. Some of the country’s MPAs are internationally-renowned dive sites, attracting tourists to the region.
6. Outdoor classrooms From pupils in foundation phase through to students at tertiary level, MPAs act as educational centres for learning in the environment, providing a direct connection to the natural world.
7. Contribute to research The pristine quality of these conservation areas gives an idea of what nature looks like when not impacted by humans. This forms a solid foundation for research into the natural world and necessary conservation techniques.
Sodwana Bay is a popular site for divers in the iSimangaliso MPA. Photo: Judy Mann
8. Provide resilience to climate change Healthy oceans absorb enormous amounts of carbon dioxide and are home to plant life that produces oxygen, helping to buffer humans from the effects of climate change. They also protect coastal communities from the devastating effects of rising sea levels.
9. Help with job creation The marine wildlife economy paves the way for sustainable job creation. The recreational benefits of MPAs – snorkelling, scuba diving and the like – provides employment in the tourism industry. The conservation side also creates jobs in the form of field rangers, park managers, hospitality and maintenance staff.
10. Medically useful Marine-based animals use complex compounds to defend themselves, some of which can be extracted and used in the creation of drugs that may fight off viruses, bacteria and cancer cells.
How can you celebrate MPA Day?
MPAs provide important areas for learning about nature, in nature. Photo: Judy Mann
Start a conversation about MPAs using the hashtags #MPAday #Conservation #Marine #MPA #MarineProtectedArea and share what you know with others.
Visit one of the country’s incredible MPA areas and discover the wonders for yourself.
If you are a fisherman, respect the boundaries of MPAs and teach fellow anglers about the importance of MPAs.
Visit www.marineprotectedareas.org.za, www.saambr.org.za, Two Oceans Aquarium, Cape Town South Africa, Dyer Island Conservation Trust | Protecting Marine Biodiversity, South Africa (dict.org.za) and Wildoceans (a programme of the Wildtrust).
Follow Instagram: @marineprotectedareassa, Twitter: @MPAsSA1 or Facebook: Marine Protected Areas SA (@MPASouthAfrica).
For more photos see online article.
