State of Management of South AfricaÃ¢â¬â¢s ... - WWF South Africa

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STATE OF MANAGEMENT OF SOUTH AFRICA’S MARINE PROTECTED AREASA comprehensive management effectiveness monitoring program has been designedand implemented.There are brochures and interpretive materials in the education centre specific to theMPA.WeaknessesEducation programs and workshops need to target the affected communities andresource users.Improved boundary markers and signs need to be erected.A planning process that involves adequate engagement with communities needs tobe initiated.There needs to be meaningful engagement with local stakeholders using variedmethods according to the community characteristics.A socio-economic assessment of the adjacent communities should be conducted andmade available to management.5.5 BIRD ISLAND MPA5.5.1 ContextThe Bird Island MPA was declared under the MLRA in 2004. The MPA surrounds the BirdIsland group (Bird Island, Stag Island, Seal Island and Black Rocks) which is situated inAlgoa Bay close to the Woody Cape Section of Addo Elephant National Park. The Bird IslandGroup and St Croix Island were declared as a part of Addo Elephant National Park in 2005.The islands are important areas for seabird conservation as they support keystone speciessuch as the Cape Gannet (largest gannet colony in the world), African Penguin, RoseateTern, Antarctic Tern and Kelp Gull. In addition, Bird Island is important for threatenedabalone stocks; Black Rocks support a seal breeding colony which in turn is an importantfood source for great white sharks; and the subtidal reefs around the islands support manyendemic species of fish, invertebrates and seaweeds.The objectives of the MPA as given in the proclamation are: to allow over-exploited species of fish a sanctuary in which to recover and breed; to protect seabird breeding colonies, and to promote and regulate eco-tourism activities and scientific research in a way thatdoes not adversely affect the marine environment and biodiversity of the Bird IslandGroup Marine Protected Area.Threats to the MPA include abalone poaching, small levels of illegal fishing, pollution(chemicals have been found in egg shells) and development of the Kouga Harbour and waterextraction around Algoa Bay.Pg 66
STATE OF MANAGEMENT OF SOUTH AFRICA’S MARINE PROTECTED AREAS5.5.2 Legal frameworkThe MPA includes the ‘water, seabed and airspace to 1000 meters above sea level’ but notthe islands. The Bird Island Group was declared in terms of the National Parks Act andcurrently falls under the NEM:PAA. SANParks staff indicated that there needed to be morecontrol over vessel access to the MPA as ski boats were observed to be disturbing the birdsand it suggested that the MPA be declared under the NEM:PAA. This will provide a widerrange of tools for resource protection that focuses on the utilization of the system as a wholeand is not dictated by marine living resources alone.5.5.3 MPA designMPA DESIGN (50%)The Alexandria Dune Field System provides an important source of freshwater and nutrientsto the Bay and many processes are dependant on this. The Bird Island MPA is notconnected to the headland and this dune field, and it was indicated that this design cut off animportant corridor between the headland and the MPA. The MPA is too small to sufficientlybuffer the interior from edge effects and many of the birds were observed feeding outside ofthe MPA. The entire MPA is a no-take zone which is viewed as adequate for theachievement of conservation objectives.There are plans to expand the MPA across Algoa Bay and create a multiple use MPA withdifferent restricted and controlled zones.5.5.4 MPA Management PlanEXISTENCE OF PLAN, OBJECTIVES AND REGULATIONS (92%)There was a management plan for the MPA, however the plan had not been approved andwas only partially implemented. The plan set out objectives that were an appropriateresponse to the issues at the MPA and consistent with legislation and it clearly defined theallowable and restricted activities.PLAN IMPLEMENTATION AND ADEQUACY (67%)Priorities were indicated in the plan and facilitated the allocation of resources; however, themanagement actions that needed to be taken were not always clearly indicated and it wasfelt that the plan was broad and generic and not specific enough to the MPA. It was indicatedthat most aspects of the plan were adequate but that it could be improved by setting specificgoals and targets with time allocations.Pg 67
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