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

STATE OF MANAGEMENT OF SOUTH AFRICA’S MARINE PROTECTED AREASmonitoring had been planned but not yet implemented at the time of the assessment. Therewas no monitoring of social conditions or MPA management effectiveness.PUBLIC EDUCATION AND AWARENESS (42%)There was no planned education programme for the MPA. Four community liaison officershad been appointed for the region to interact with communities and raise awareness forconservation in general. None of the local communities around Hluleka had been adequatelyengaged in awareness programmes; however two members of the community were takingpart in the MPA Management Training Course during the time of the assessment. Awarenessabout the designation of the MPA was raised by field rangers on patrols; however theirknowledge regarding the MPA was limited. There were no available brochures specific to theMPA. The DEA Marine Recreational Activity Information brochure was available in thereserve but it was only produced in English and thus did not adequately facilitate the raisingof local awareness. There was one sign that provided information in English about the MPAand its role and benefits and there were several signs in English indicating that the area wasa MPA and signs in Xhosa indicating that the MPA was a no-take area.INTERACTION WITH STAKEHOLDERS AND COMMUNITIES (47%)The management authority did recognise that positive relations with local communities wereimportant; however actions taken up until the assessment had been ineffective for the mostpart. A local liaison committee did exist, however, the community representatives did notadequately represent the community and did not pass on enough information to thecommunities. There was a land claim that still needed to be settled and the general outlookexpressed by the community was that the authority had ‘taken their (marine) resources’.There was mixed support in the local community for the MPA and staff. Local chiefs hadworked out an enforcement arrangement with the staff at the MPA while some communitymembers were opposed to the MPA and did not support the staff. There is no comanagementof the MPA.Local stakeholders (Chiefs, South African Police Service and municipality) interacted withEastern Cape Parks Board through a stakeholder forum. The forum met monthly howevernot all the stakeholders consistently attended meetings and information exchange andcommunication was hindered as a result.ImprovementsA budget had been allocated for the management of the MPA.There was sufficient basic equipment available to conduct management functions.One staff member was in the process of completing the MPA Management TrainingCourse.WeaknessesThere was no MPA management plan being implemented.Pg 112