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Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Mohammed Valli Moosa, today, Monday, 16 February 2004, announced his intention to designate five new marine protected areas (MPAs) to complement and consolidate South Africa's existing marine and coastal conservation areas.

Addressing a press briefing at the Johannesburg International Airport upon his departure for Malaysia to attend the Seventh Meeting of the Conference of Parties (COP 7) to the Convention on Biological Diversity, Minister Moosa said the proposed MPAs aim to conserve a diversity of marine and coastal habitats and will ensure further conservation of biodiversity as is required by the current Biodiversity Bill. The MPAs are also designed to boost South Africa's fisheries through protecting important steps in the lifecycle of major fisheries.

They will encompass the Aliwal Shoal (adjacent to Umkomaas, KwaZulu-Natal), the coastal and marine environment adjacent to the Pondoland (Eastern Cape), Bird Island (Algoa Bay), Cape Peninsula (Western Cape) and Namaqualand (Northern Cape).

Considered with South Africa's current MPAs, the five proposed MPAs will result in 19% of South Africa's coastline falling within protected areas. The international target as pronounced in the World Parks Congress recommendations is 20%.

Minister Moosa said the five intended marine protected areas will further complement the management of South Africa's fisheries. "In addition, the proposed MPA along the Pondoland coast, for example, has been specifically designed to ensure that traditional fishing will continue in a regulated manner to ensure the sustainability of these resources," he said.

As far as tourism operators such as sport diving operations are concerned, the proposed MPAs do not intend to prohibit such activities but rather aim to regulate it. This will ensure that vulnerable ecosystems such as the Aliwal Shoal are protected for the enjoyment of current and future generations and that users can expect world-class experiences.

Management authority for three of the proposed MPA's (Namaqualand, Bird Island and Cape Peninsula) is intended to be vested with the South African National Parks Authority.

Five draft sets of regulations that are intended to regulate the proposed MPAs will be published in the Government Gazette tomorrow, 17 February 2004. Members of the public are invited to comment within ninety days on each of these proposed regulations. The draft regulations will be accessible on the Department's website, www.deat.gov.za, alternatively, hard copies will be made available from the Department's Pretoria and Cape Town (Foreshore) offices.

Written comments may be addressed to the Deputy Director-General: Marine and Coastal Management, Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Private Bag X2 Roggebaai, 8012.

Enquiries: Phindile Makwakwa
Spokesperson: Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
Cell: 082 850 9559
Tel: (012) 310 3401 or (021) 465 7240

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NOTES ON DESIGNATED SITES

ALIWAL SHOAL

Aliwal Shoal is sub-tidal reef situated 5 km off the KwaZulu-Natal south coast near Umkomaas. The reef supports a spectacular coral community, including 15 species of hard corals and 4 species of soft corals. The diverse fish fauna is a popular attraction for SCUBA divers, fishermen and spear-fishermen. Many endangered species of endemic reef fish are found on the shoal, as well as ragged-tooth and tiger sharks.

Aliwal Shoal has been the site of great conflict in the past between user groups. Agreements have now been reached with respect to partitioning of use between fishing, SCUBA and spear-fishing, and these have been formalised in a management plan. The MPA will serve many functions, including the conservation of the unique reef fauna, control of user-conflict and the development of a world-renowned diving site. Aliwal Shoal can be added to other great tourist attractions of KwaZulu-Natal.

PONDOLAND

The coastline between Port St Johns and the Mtamvuna River and the adjacent offshore area has a unique mix of tropical and temperate ecosystems. Here there is a high rate of species turnover within similar habitat, and a high proportion of species are endemic to the region. This area needs to be protected to fill an important gap in South Africa's protected area network. The area also includes a range of marine and coastal habitats, with two substantial estuaries being fully protected for the first time in South Africa.

From a fishery perspective, the area needs protection as many over-exploited linefish species spawn here. The inter-tidal shellfishery also needs to be brought under control, as many areas have been stripped of the larger molluscs. A zoned MPA, in which exploitation is permitted in some areas, will provide the necessary protection while allowing fishing to continue elsewhere.

The Pondoland Marine Protected Area will be one of South Africa's largest, and arguably its most spectacular. Including 90 km of coastline and extending approximately 15 km out to sea (to the 1000 m isobath), it will cover 1300 km2. The extremely narrow continental shelf off Pondoland marks the start of the annual sardine, which National Geographic has rated as the most exciting diving opportunity in the world. The development of tourism in this impoverished region is a priority, and the MPA is the first step in realising the potential of this scenic coastline.

BIRD ISLAND

The protection of the Bird Island Group (Bird, Seal and Stag Islands) in Algoa Bay is the first step in the seaward extension of the Greater Addo Elephant National Park. Bird Island is home to several species of red-data listed seabirds (Cape gannett, roseatte tern, African penguin), while the reefs around the islands are important for abalone and linefish, many of which are threatened. Bird Island unfortunately has been the target of abalone poachers, and the immediate protection of the islands is regarded as a priority.

CAPE PENINSULA

The Cape Peninsula MPA includes all of the coastal waters around the Cape Peninsula from Mouille Point in the west to Muizenberg in the east. It is situated in the transition zone between two biogeographic provinces - the cool temperate Namaqua province lies to the west and the warm temperate south coast province to the east. This is one of the most diverse and productive stretches of coastline in South Africa. The Cape Peninsula is also rich in marine species endemic to southern Africa some of which are even endemic to this change-over region. It is also the area that has the longest history of commercial fishing in South Africa.

The proximity of a large metropolitan area provides great challenges and opportunities for marine conservation. The exploitation of natural resources along the Cape Peninsula coastline is an important source of recreation, employment and food. Unfortunately, the intensity of harvesting on the peninsula has exceeded the capacity of many of the fish species to replace themselves, and many are severely overexploited. It is clear that the marine and coastal ecosystems surrounding the Cape Peninsula need to be protected from further degradation, and given the chance to recover. The exploitation of over-fished species must be reduced.

The shores of the Cape Peninsula are one of the great tourist attractions of Cape Town. To swim among penguins at Boulders is a world-class attraction while Coral Gardens offers some of the most spectacular temperate-water SCUBA diving.

The MPA will be an extension of the Cape Peninsula National Park and will include six areas that are closed to fishing, whereas the majority of the MPA will still be open to fishing. The closed areas have been located for the protection of abalone, rock lobster, linefish, penguins and SCUBA diving sites.

NAMAQUALAND

The marine habitats of the west coast of South Africa are poorly represented in protected areas. (The existing West Coast National Park protects primarily the Langebaan Lagoon, which is atypical of the West Coast). We have selected a biologically rich and representative area of the little known and understated west coast. The MPA will extend from the inter-tidal area between the Groen and Spoeg River, and extending out to sea to include Child's Bank and the 1000-m isobath. It will be SA's largest MPA at 9700 km2. Although most of this area is too deep to dive (and too cold), the habitat supports economically important species such as hake (shallow and deep water species), kingklip, monkfish, rock lobster and tuna. Namaqualand MPA will include habitat that may be threatened by trawling and mining activities, and will therefore provide valuable reference sites for research.

Issued by: Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
16 February 2004