Strengthening Marine Conservation: Bilateral Discussions Between West Coast National Park MPA and Bassin d’Arcachon Marine Nature Park
As part of the South Africa-France partnership, SANParks hosted a bilateral exchange from March 10th to 14th at West Coast National Park (WCNP). This collaboration, supported by the French Biodiversity Agency (OFB) and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), brought together six French delegates and SANParks representatives to share knowledge on the management and monitoring of WCNP Marine Protected Area (MPA) and Bassin d’Arcachon Marine Nature Park (French MPA).
While WCNP MPA and Bassin d’Arcachon operate under different legal frameworks, their shared ecological features created a strong foundation for meaningful technical exchanges.
Part of the South African and French delegation at the Seeberg Viewpoint, Weste Coast National Park, overlooking Langebaan lagoon.
Both WCNP MPA and Bassin d’Arcachon are home to diverse marine and coastal habitats, including tidal flats, salt marshes, and lagoons. These ecosystems serve as critical breeding and feeding grounds for fish, shellfish, and migratory bird species. The objective of this exchange was to foster knowledge sharing, identify research opportunities, and explore the potential for a staff exchange program between SANParks and OFB park managers.
Maps of A) Bassin d’Arcachon Marine Nature Park (French MPA) and, B) West Coast National Park.
The French delegation included, from the back and left to right) Thomas Fauvel, Rushdi Ariefdien, Clement Arendse, Cloverley Lawrence, Kévin Leleu, Alice Lureau, Xolani Ngwenya, Nomsa Cossa, Audrey Delhomme, Pierre Nel, Hervé Caroff, Kyle Smith, Aseeqah Davids, Romuald Chaigneau and Sinothando Shibe. Delegates not in the image were Sabelo Roman, Kuhle Vayise and Fortunate Mabuza.
Discussions focused on seagrass restoration, the protection of vulnerable species such as the white Stumpnose fish, Zostera seagrass, and the migratory Sandpiper bird, stakeholder engagement, and innovative tools for monitoring habitats and human activity. The workshop included a field mission to explore WCNP MPA firsthand, where the SANParks science team deployed a Baited Remote Underwater System (BRUVs) in the lagoon, visited bird hides to observe bird diversity and examined the park’s land and seascapes and conservation strategies. These field activities provided valuable insights into contractual agreements with landowners, lagoon zonation, human-wildlife conflict, and conservation challenges posed by tourism and other activities. Experiencing the similarities and differences between the two parks allowed for deeper discussions on best practices.
Pierre Nel, Senior Section Ranger, showing delegates the land and seascapes of Weste Coast National Park while on a field mission.
The next in-person workshop is scheduled for June 2025, following the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3). SANParks colleagues will travel to France, where the focus will be on monitoring strategies, conservation indicators, and stakeholder engagement processes.
To learn more about the previous workshop, visit the SANParks Our Stories blog.
Written by Sinothando Shibe and Audrey Delhomme.
