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

STATE OF MANAGEMENT OF SOUTH AFRICA’S MARINE PROTECTED AREASOrganisational SupportAll the MPA managers indicated that there was adequate information exchange andcommunication with the agency, and that the agency considered the management of MPAs ahigh priority and that procedures implemented for dealing with MPA issues were adequate. Amonthly reporting system in EKZNW has facilitated good communication and informationexchange.4.3 MUNICIPAL4.3.1 City of Cape TownAn agreement on the management of the Helderberg MPA was entered into by the City ofCape Town Municipality (‘City’) and MCM during the course of this assessment. The Cityagreed to conduct the management, monitoring, compliance and awareness in the MPAs inaccordance with MLRA and applicable regulations and to submit and present quarterly andannual progress reports to MCM. MCM consented to contribute funds to the City for themanagement of the Helderberg MPA.Prior to this agreement, Helderberg MPA was not actively managed. A full assessment of themanagement of this MPA was not included in this report due to the previous lack ofmanagement and the recent signing of the agreement with the City. However, DarrylColenbrander from the Environmental Resources Management Department (ERM) of theCity was consulted regarding the state of affairs at the time of the assessment and futureactions.City of Cape Town Municipality – Environmental Resource Management DepartmentThe ERM is mandated to implement the City’s Integrated Metropolitan Environmental Policywhich is a framework of strategies namely: Biodiversity, Energy and Climate Change,Coastal Zone Management, Cultural Heritage and Environmental Education and Training. Acoastal coordinator has been employed to manage environmental resources in the coastalzone. This coastal coordinator has taken on the role of the Helderberg MPA manager. Thereare no designated field rangers at this point, however it was indicated that a ranger would beemployed on a contractual basis. A management plan is to be developed and will follow thestructure of the recently drafted Betty’s Bay MPA management plan. Start up fundingprovided by MCM is to be used to purchase basic enforcement and monitoring equipment.Helderberg MPAThe Helderberg MPA was declared under the MLRA in 2000 and is situated on the northeastern shore of False Bay in the Western Cape. The MPA is adjacent to land owned by theCity and managed as a nature conservancy under the NEM:PAA. It is a small MPA thatconsists of 4km of sandy shoreline between the Eerste River mouth and the Lourens Rivermouth, and extends 500m offshore from the high water mark. The MPA is a no take zone.Currently the boundaries on the beach are fenced and no signs or beacons have beenerected. There are no public access roads to the land adjacent to the MPA. The shorelinePg 42