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

STATE OF MANAGEMENT OF SOUTH AFRICA’S MARINE PROTECTED AREASThe major shortcomings identified were: Lack of a national MPA programme No formalised management arrangement with provincial agencies Inadequate legislation in terms of implementing the user-pays principle, zoning plans,standardised management plans, community consultation and a permit system foractivities other than fishing Lack of specific MPA management training available in South Africa Insufficient staff and equipment for compliance Inadequate MPA signage Poorly designed MPA monitoringThis report resulted in several positive developments. These include: the preparation and signing of formal management agreements with conservationauthorities, the allocation of funds for MPA management, the establishment of a MPA manager’s forum, the preparation of management plans for MPAs, the design and delivery of a MPA management training courseA reassessment of management was conducted by Bewana and completed in early 2009.This assessment was less exhaustive than the previous assessment and results werereported at an institutional level. The report indicated that there was much variation in themanagement efficiency between management agencies and it highlighted progress in thefollowing areas: central coordination of MPAs improved structuring of conservation agencies in dealing with MPAs increased level of resources allocated to MPAsThe identified weaknesses included: lack of stakeholder participation insufficient staff outcomes of research not reported back or incorporated into management MPAs still have a rather narrow focus towards conservation of marine resources andbiodiversity and ecotourism lack of multiple use MPAs inadequate zoning and management plans permit issuing proceduresThis current assessment is a more exhaustive, site-level evaluation of the state ofmanagement of MPAs in South Africa and in addition to this, a scoring system approach wasused. It aims to report on and acknowledge the progress made through the actions ofnational and provincial agencies involved in MPA management and the NGOs supportingPg 11