Media Release: Management of the Marine Protected Area

[MATTHYS]

Media Release: Management of the Marine Protected Area

10 October 2019

National Marine Week is celebrated every year during the second week of October, with the main purpose of creating awareness on the marine and coastal environment. This week we take into account the Marine Protected Areas (MPA) within the Table Mountain National Park (TMNP).

The seas around the Cape Peninsula are rich in marine biodiversity because it is where the cold Benguela and warm Atlantic currents mix. In 2004 the TMNP MPA was pronounced to help ensure that commercial and recreational use of the ocean is sustainable.

The MPA includes 1000km2 of the sea and coastline around the Cape Peninsula from Moullie Point in the North to Muizenberg in the south, and the recently gazetted Robben Island MPA which includes a further 618km2. While fishing is allowed in the majority of the MPA - subject to the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries’ (DEFF) permits, regulations and seasons, it also includes six restricted areas with five "no-take" zones within the Cape Peninsula MPA where no fishing or extractive activities are allowed. The Robben Island MPA consists of three (3) controlled zones and one (1) “no-take” zone within the Robben Island MPA.

These restricted or “no-take” zones are important breeding and nursery areas for marine life and through leaving these undisturbed there will ultimately be an increase in marine stock and threatened species are given a chance to regenerate.

The MPA is managed by TMNP in conjunction with the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF), where TMNP undertakes the administrative and inshore law enforcement and educational activities.

Success Story:
Ezekiel Kosa, Conservation Manager: MPA Table Mountain says, “In the 2018/19 financial year, the TMNP Marine Unit were very active in patrol and monitoring operations across the Cape Peninsula MPA. An amount of 31 vessel patrols, 198 vehicle patrols, 125-foot patrols, and 30 observation posts were conducted within the “no-take” and control zones. 1283 permits were checked and 13 joint operations were conducted. A total of 20 arrests were made by the TMNP marine unit which also included the issuing of 14 J534 fines under the marine living resources act. Joint operations occurred included a combination of day and day-night operations with law enforcement agencies such as DEFF, City of Cape Town Marine Law Enforcement, South African Police Service (SAPS) and SAPS border police. I’d like to thank my team for their continued effort in protecting our natural resources living in our seas.”

Poaching is the single biggest threat to our marine environment and has resulted in strict regulations and bans on some recreational activities. Members of the public are asked to report poaching on 021 783 0234.

Issued by:
South African National Parks (SANParks) – Cape Region Communications

Media enquiries:
Lauren Howard-Clayton
Regional Communications Manager
Email: [email protected]
Landline: 021 659 1700; mobile: 0711155843

[Grantmissy]

Matthys thank you for sharing this interesting information. Protection of the coastal and marine environment is vital and critical.