Why are MPA's important?
The focus for each MPA will be different, but will usually include a combination of elements of each of these purposes. For example a specific role for the Dwesa/Cwebe MPA would be to provide an important breeding sanctuary for the White Steenbras – this responds specifically to the first two purposes.
It is probably fair to say that for many MPAs the main purpose and driving factor behind their establishment has been the conservation of fish stocks. In many cases this may still be their primary role. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that MPAs can, and should do more than this (although this is a vital function), and MPAs are now more often seen as being multi-purpose and their management geared for multiple objectives.
One issue concerning benefits is that while any restrictions are generally immediate, the benefits themselves may only be felt after some time. Fortunately, in marine systems, recovery and improvement is often very rapid, and the benefits can flow quite quickly. Within a few years of proclamation of the De Hoop MPA, stocks of galjoen, which had dwindled alarmingly as a result of overfishing when gill-netting was allowed (until 1974), soon built up and started to spill over into adjacent areas. According to the Coastcare Factsheet 3C on galjoen, 10-20 tonnes of galjoen now leave the De Hoop MPA every year. Management of MPAs is increasingly focussed on maximising the benefits to all stakeholders, and, of course, to marine biodiversity itself.
As part of the National Spatial Diversity Assessment Programme, Lombard and Strauss have very recently compiled a definitive report. The report includes a spatial assessment of the conservation status of selected marine biodiversity patterns in South Africa’s marine environment. Five Inshore Bioregions were identified along the South African coastline and they are: Namaqua Bioregion, South-Western Cape Bioregion, Agulhas Bioregion, Natal Bioregion and the Delagoa Bioregion.
It is probably fair to say that for many MPAs the main purpose and driving factor behind their establishment has been the conservation of fish stocks. In many cases this may still be their primary role. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that MPAs can, and should do more than this (although this is a vital function), and MPAs are now more often seen as being multi-purpose and their management geared for multiple objectives.
One issue concerning benefits is that while any restrictions are generally immediate, the benefits themselves may only be felt after some time. Fortunately, in marine systems, recovery and improvement is often very rapid, and the benefits can flow quite quickly. Within a few years of proclamation of the De Hoop MPA, stocks of galjoen, which had dwindled alarmingly as a result of overfishing when gill-netting was allowed (until 1974), soon built up and started to spill over into adjacent areas. According to the Coastcare Factsheet 3C on galjoen, 10-20 tonnes of galjoen now leave the De Hoop MPA every year. Management of MPAs is increasingly focussed on maximising the benefits to all stakeholders, and, of course, to marine biodiversity itself.
As part of the National Spatial Diversity Assessment Programme, Lombard and Strauss have very recently compiled a definitive report. The report includes a spatial assessment of the conservation status of selected marine biodiversity patterns in South Africa’s marine environment. Five Inshore Bioregions were identified along the South African coastline and they are: Namaqua Bioregion, South-Western Cape Bioregion, Agulhas Bioregion, Natal Bioregion and the Delagoa Bioregion.
MPA Bio-regions
South Africa´s network of MPA is not representative of all the bioregions as currently all 21 MPA´s in the country are found in only three of the regions, as follows:
Sixteen Mile Beach MPA
Malgas Island MPA
Jutten Island MPA
Marcus Island MPA
Table Mountain MPA
Betty’s Bay MPA
De Hoop MPA
Stilbaai MPA
Goukamma MPA
Robberg MPA
Tsitsikamma MPA
Sardinia Bay MPA
Bird Island MPA
Hluleka MPA
Pondoland MPA
Trafalgar MPA
Aliwal Shoal MPA
iSimangaliso MPA
South-Western Cape Bioregion:
Langebaan Lagoon MPASixteen Mile Beach MPA
Malgas Island MPA
Jutten Island MPA
Marcus Island MPA
Table Mountain MPA
Agulhas Bioregion:
Helderberg MPABetty’s Bay MPA
De Hoop MPA
Stilbaai MPA
Goukamma MPA
Robberg MPA
Tsitsikamma MPA
Sardinia Bay MPA
Bird Island MPA
Natal Bioregion:
Dwesa- Cwebe MPA*Hluleka MPA
Pondoland MPA
Trafalgar MPA
Aliwal Shoal MPA
iSimangaliso MPA
