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

STATE OF MANAGEMENT OF SOUTH AFRICA’S MARINE PROTECTED AREASSOCIO-ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS (83%)All identified stakeholders were engaged in the planning process. Notices informingstakeholders of the planning process were made available in national and local newspapersand SANParks staff held open days for the public and met with individual stakeholders.Local ideas were considered given that they did not compromise conservation objectives.PLAN CONTEXT (71%)Scientific data was consulted during the planning process but not explicitly cited. Theinformation base for resource use, social conditions and biophysical conditions wasadequate for planning purposes; however a full inventory of biological resources was notavailable.5.5.5 Management systemInputSTAFF NUMBER (68%)SANParks had been managing the MPA since 2004; however a marine team was onlyestablished in 2008. There were 10 staff members (seven marine rangers, two sectionrangers and a senior section ranger), based at Woody Cape, that were dedicated to themanagement of the MPA. Nine of the members were employed on a contract basis and onewas permanent. Staff members spent two weeks at a time on the island and thus built upmuch overtime. The agency compensated by giving the staff time off and as a result therewere often staff shortages. All members of the team were involved in planning, assistingresearchers, maintenance and law enforcement; however the team’s core function was toreduce abalone poaching.STAFF SKILLS (69%)The team was established through a rigorous three-day interview process where allmembers were required to have, at the least, swimming skills and experience on boats.There were four skippers, nine FCOs (one new member still to be designated as a FCO) andseven radio operators. All team members were Peace Officers. At the time of theassessment, four members were undergoing commercial diver training, two were busycompleting the MPA Management Course and six were in skippers training.The staff had sufficient skills and training to carry out their current compliance function;however in future, it is expected that the staff will have to become involved in monitoring andcommunity liaison. It was indicated that few of the staff members had adequate knowledge ofthe marine resources and only half had a sufficient understanding of the role and function ofMPAs. Skills development areas that were needed included marine science (ecology and fishPg 68