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

STATE OF MANAGEMENT OF SOUTH AFRICA’S MARINE PROTECTED AREASIn addition to the quarterly reports, communication and information exchange takes place viaon-site meetings, the annual MPA managers’ forum and through emails and telephone calls.Personnel from ICM have visited several MPAs to facilitate interactive meetings withstakeholders or to gain a site-level perspective of management and management issues.Joint InitiativesMCM and WWF-SA have jointly funded the preparation and revision of management plansfor MPAs, as well as the attendance of MPA managers and personnel at the South AfricanMPA Management Training Course. MCM and WWF-SA also host the annual meeting of theMPA mangers forum.4.1.2 South African National ParksSouth African National Parks (SANParks) is a national body established under the NationalParks Act 57 of 1976. The NEM:PAA repealed this Act in 2003 and provided for thecontinued existence and functions of SANParks.MandateThe mandate of SANParks is to conserve South Africa’s biodiversity, landscapes andassociated heritage assets through the acquisition and management of a representativesystem of national parks. SANParks also promotes and manages nature-based tourism, fromwhich it generates part of its budget, and supports a people-centred approach toconservation.There are sections of national parks that have been declared as MPAs and there are alsoMPAs adjacent to national parks (Refer to table 3.1). Section 14 and section 38(4) ofNEM:PAA require that SANParks act as the management authority for these MPAs.Table 3.1: MPAs part of or adjacent to national parksMPALangebaan Lagoon MPASixteen mile beach MPAMalgas Island MPAMarcus Island MPAJutten Island MPATable Mountain National Park MPATsitsikamma National Park MPABird Island MPADUAL DESIGNATION(NEM:PAA and MLRA)XXMLRA ONLY(adjacent to national park)XXXXXXPg 33