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

STATE OF MANAGEMENT OF SOUTH AFRICA’S MARINE PROTECTED AREASThe MPA is significant for fish conservation in South Africa as it is an important nursery areafor many reef fish species; it is central in the distribution range of several endemic species;protects large populations of commercially exploited species; and it supports a rich diversityof fish (202 species from 84 families), some species of which are Red Data species.Furthermore, there is evidence that several species have a high degree of residency, whichcombined with slow growth rates, makes them vulnerable to over-exploitation. In addition tothis, the MPA protects approximately 11% of the Warm Temperate South Coast rockyshoreline. The offshore marine living resources in the MPA are in near pristine conditionwhile the inshore resources are exposed to illegal extraction.The MPA is an important eco-tourism attraction drawing approximately 170 000 local andinternational visitors annually. Recreational activities in the MPA include boat rides,snorkelling and diving, and the renowned Otter Trail and Dolphin Trail which run adjacent tothe MPA. Cultural and heritage resources in and related to the MPA include a wreck, an oldharbour and strandloper shell middens in caves along the shore. Furthermore, there hasbeen a significant amount of research and several educational programmes in the MPA.There is a long history of resource use in the area. In 2001 the whole MPA was declared ano take area under the MLRA. A number of communities, dependant on access to marineliving resources for their livelihoods, actively campaigned to retain access to the area butwere denied in 2007. This has come to be a major source of conflict and tension in the areaand has resulted in some locals resorting to illegal fishing in the MPA. SANParks staff allegethat there are approximately 30 persistent illegal fishers in the area.The threats to the MPA include: Illegal fishing; Continued political pressure to allow local communities access to the Park for fishing; The development of a golf course, estate and hotel in close proximity to the MPA; Minor abalone poaching on the borders of the MPA, and Fertilizer run off from dairy farms in close proximity to the MPA.5.4.2 Legal frameworkPart of the marine section of the Tsitsikamma National Park was proclaimed as TsitsikammaMPA under the MLRA in 2000. Both the MLRA and the NEM:PAA are applicable to theTsitsikamma MPA. SANParks staff indicated that there was great value in the dualdesignation as the NEM:PAA provided greater scope to manage activities unrelated tomarine living resources.SANParks managers at Tsitsikamma MPA suggested that: the admission of guilt fines beincreased so to deter illegal fishing; the MPA be extended so to include the boundaries of theDe Vasselot marine section and to create a 0.5 nautical mile buffer zone around the MPA;diving be banned throughout the National Park and that a transit through the MPA be bannedfor enforcement purposes.Pg 61