State of Management of South Africa’s ... - WWF South Africa

STATE OF MANAGEMENT OF SOUTH AFRICA’S MARINE PROTECTED AREAS6.6.2 Legal and organisational frameworkRobberg MPA was declared under the MLRA in 2000. No specific regulations were providedfor the MPA in the proclamation. It was indicated that regulations for non-consumptive usesand competitions (such as kayak races, regattas, swimming, and fishing) were needed.6.6.3 MPA designMPA DESIGN (67%)Reef fish nursery areas were included within the boundary of the MPA. The size and shapeof the MPA was not constraining the achievement of objectives however it could be improvedby incorporating more of the Bay. The entire coast was open to fishing. Discussions hadbeen held to close the southern coast of the MPA to fishing. The northern side was the morepopular fishing area so it is predicted that there shouldn’t be too much opposition. Therewere no user conflicts and thus no need to create user zones.6.6.4 MPA Management PlanEXISTENCE OF PLAN, OBJECTIVES AND REGULATIONS (67%)There was an approved management plan being implemented at Robberg MPA. Broadobjectives are provided in the plan that are not specific to Robberg but are compatible withthe issues faced. Restricted and allowable activities are provided in the plan, but not all ofthese were legally enforceable.PLAN IMPLEMENTATION AND ADEQUACY (42%)Priorities were not clearly indicated and could be perceived differently. There were nospecific management actions prescribed in the plan and it did not facilitate resourceallocation adequately. The usefulness of this plan was dependant on the experience of theMPA manager and the involvement of the manager in the planning process. In this case, themanager had found many of the aspects useful for management but acknowledged that theplan was in need of revision and required improvement with regard to defining long-termvisions and adaptive management.SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS (67%)During the planning process, the plan was made available in the public library and to thereserve liaison committee and the Plettenberg Bay angling and ski clubs. Stakeholders andinterested parties were invited to comment and were made aware of the process throughadvertisements in the local newspapers. One meeting was held and there were nocomments made and no resistance to the plan. There were no cultural practices and heritagePg 97