Marine Protected Areas With a Focus on the De Hoop Marine Protected Area
11 Jul 2023 by Marienne de Villiers, CapeNature Ecologist
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are crucial for safeguarding species and maintaining the balance of ecosystems. They also contribute to the sustainability of fisheries, which in turn supports livelihoods and boosts the economy. In South Africa, at least 3.6 million people depend on coastal food resources for subsistence. MPAs are managed through the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (Act No. 57 of 2003) and associated regulations. CapeNature oversees six of the 13 MPAs along the Western Cape coast, including the De Hoop MPA.
This no-take marine reserve spans 288 km2 and encompasses various habitats that host a diverse range of species. It has proven effective in protecting endangered shark species, with underwater video footage revealing that 11 different shark species utilise the MPA. Moreover, the abundance of sharks inside the MPA is significantly higher than outside, with six of the 11 species classified as threatened, such as the Critically Endangered Soupfin Shark and the Vulnerable Ragged Tooth Shark.
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Topic: Stony Point Penguin Colony Camera Stony Point Nature Reserve, South Africa (Read 58916 times)