Page 33 - Dainfern Precinct Living June 2022

Nature
ollowing the fabulous success of
the inaugural Marine Protected
Areas (MPA) Day, held on 1 August
F2021, this national event is now set
to go global from this year. Everyone
is welcome to celebrate these ‘game
reserves of the sea’ with a number of
exciting activities planned at home and
abroad on Monday, 1 August 2022.
WHY ARE MPAS IMPORTANT?
South Africa protects approximately
8% of its terrestrial wildlife through a
network of protected areas, such as the
Kruger National Park. These protected
areas are national treasures, where locals
and visitors can explore and experience
the wonders of nature. Similarly, the rich
diversity of coastal and ocean ecosystems
in South Africa is protected through a
network of MPAs.
South Africa has 41 Marine Protected
Areas which make up only 5.4% of 15 - Helderberg the ocean and ensure that the ocean
the ocean and coast. These MPAs play 16 - Betty’s Bay continues to support us.
a significant role in the protection of 17 - Walker Bay HOW CAN WE CELEBRATE MPA DAY 2022?
spawning and nursery areas that allow 18 - SE Atlantic Seamounts This year, marine scientists will join
for recovery of the ocean’s marine life, 19 - Browns Bank Corals youth groups onshore to explore South
which is threatened as a result of rampant 20 - Agulhas Mud Africa’s MPAs. There will be an MPA Day
overfishing. MPAs provide safe havens for 21 - De Hoop Essay and Art Competition for children
marine life to regenerate and thrive. 22 - Stilbaai run by the Youth4MPAs collective.
23 - Agulhas Bank Complex
In summary, the benefits of these 24 - SW Indian Seamounts There’s also the popular MPA Day Photo
valuable ocean areas include: 25 - Goukamma Competition with new categories for
• Providing a home to rare and 26 - Robberg amateur and professional photographers
endangered species thereby 27 - Tsitsikamma with even bigger prizes.
ensuring marine biodiversity. 28 - Agulhas Front
• Allowing fish stocks to increase in 29 - Port Elizabeth Corals At 7pm on Monday, 1 August 2022, the
size and abundance, supporting 30 - Sardinia Bay MPA Alliance will host a special webinar Image: Catherine Merlin
adjacent fisheries. 31 - Addo Elephant NP with five leading South African marine
• Protecting our cultural heritage 32 - Amathole scientists to share the latest research on
connected to the ocean. 33 - Amathole Offshore MPAs. This year will also see the launch
• Providing beautiful spaces for 34 - Dwesa-Cwebe of the Citizen Science initiative.
recreational activities, thereby 35 - Hluleka “We are very excited about this year’s
promoting tourism. 36 - Pondoland MPA Day which will be celebrated across
• Providing educational centres for 37 - Trafalgar the world,” says Dr Judy Mann, Executive
environmental learning. 38 - Protea Banks of Strategic Projects of the Two Oceans
• Providing a solid foundation for 39 - Aliwal Shoal Aquarium Education Foundation. “We
researching the natural world. 40 - Uthukela Banks have new partners who have joined
• Absorbing enormous amounts of 41 - Isimangaliso our incredible team, and we hope to
carbon dioxide, which helps to create a make MPA Day even more accessible
buffer against climate change. WHY A DAY TO CELEBRATE MARINE to its global supporters. A few other
• Creating a marine wildlife economy PROTECTED AREAS? countries will be joining us as we work
for sustainable job creation. Well, this helps us collectively appreciate towards our dream of making MPA Day
the value of MPAs and how they benefit a truly international celebration. We look
MARINE PROTECTED AREAS IN AND AROUND both us and the incredible marine forward to MPA Day 2022 and encourage
SOUTH AFRICA biodiversity they are designed to everyone to participate.”
1 - Orange Shelf Edge protect.
2 - Namaqua Fossil Forest It’s a day to share stories and information “Our fate is closely tied to the health of
3 - Namaqua National Park (NP) about why and how we need to our oceans, and MPAs are one of the best
4 - Childs Bank conserve our ocean and keep building ways to ensure the future well-being of
5 - Benguela Mud support for MPAs. We hope that MPA all who live on the planet.”
6 - Cape Canyon Day will help more South Africans
7 - Rocherpan recognise the important role MPAs play Join in the discussions around MPAs on
8 - Malgas Island in preserving the ocean for both people Instagram @marineprotectedareassa,
9 - Marcus Island and nature. Twitter @MPAsSA1 or Facebook Marine
10 - Jutten Island Protected Areas SA (@MPASouthAfrica).
11 - Langebaan Lagoon By joining with people all over South For more information about
12 - Sixteen-Mile Beach Africa in celebrating MPA Day we can South Africa’s MPAs, visit
13 - Robben Island make a clear statement that, no matter www.marineprotectedareas.org.za
14 - Table Mountain NP where we live, we can all help to protect
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