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

STATE OF MANAGEMENT OF SOUTH AFRICA’S MARINE PROTECTED AREASProcessesBOUNDARY DEMARCATION (67%)Figure 8.1: Aliwal Shoal MPA sign at the entrance to the Ethekwini launch site in UmkomaasThere were no beacons or buoys demarcating the restricted offshore areas. There was anew sign at one of the launching sites with maps, GPS coordinates, indications of legallaunch sites and regulations for the different zones. The sign was bold and easy to interpret(refer to figure 8.1). There were plans to erect a sign at the Park Rynie slipway. These signsshould be placed at all launch sites in the MPA and those near to the MPA.PATROL AND ENFORCEMENT (67%)The main compliance issues in the MPA were fishing without permits, harvesting ofinvertebrates, beach driving, exceeding bag limits and the possession of undersized fish. Thediver permit system was not enforced due to practicality issues with the paper permits. Thestaff were all designated FCOs, had sufficient resources to enforce the MLRA and effectiveenforcement mechanisms existed. There were however, some deficiencies in staff skills,particularly offshore skills, which were limiting the implementation of some enforcementmechanisms. The enforcement activities consisted of daily foot and vehicle patrols along a40km stretch of the coastal district in which the MPA was included, daily inspections at boththe legal launch sites in the MPA and at known hotpots for illegal activity, responses toreports of illegal activity and six boat patrols per month depending on sea conditions.Pg 129