wwf_fact-sheet_mpas_web_v3-329cfad73526cb36.pdf

This fact sheet from WWF South Africa describes the role, management, and challenges of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in South Africa. It details the legislative framework, the different types of protection zones, and the importance of these areas for biodiversity, climate resilience, and economic stability. The document also highlights specific major MPAs and South Africa's commitment to the global '30x30' biodiversity target.

• South Africa has legislated 42 marine protected areas (MPAs), which cover approximately 5% of the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ). These areas are categorized into three types: restricted zones where all extraction including fishing and mining is prohibited; controlled-use zones allowing certain activities under strict regulations; and multiple-use zones permitting sustainable fishing, recreation, and tourism.
• MPAs provide several ecological and socio-economic benefits, including the 'spillover effect' where sustainable fish populations in protected areas thrive in adjacent areas, supporting food security. They also enhance ecosystem resilience to climate change, protect cultural sites for spiritual practices, and serve as sites for scientific research and education.
• The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) holds the mandate for MPAs in South Africa, delegating management to national, provincial, and municipal agencies. These include South African National Parks (SANParks), Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, CapeNature, Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism, and municipalities such as the City of Cape Town and Nelson Mandela Bay Metro.
• South Africa's major MPAs include the Prince Edward Islands MPA, which is the country's largest at 180,000 km2 and is among the top 100 largest globally; the Tsitsikamma MPA, the oldest established in 1964 (294 km2); the iSimangaliso Wetland Park MPA, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; Betty’s Bay MPA, a critical breeding site for the endangered African penguin; and the Table Mountain National Park MPA.
• South Africa is committed to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) '30x30' target, which aims to protect 30% of the Earth by 2030. Current challenges to MPA effectiveness include limited resources for regulation compliance, the risk of areas becoming 'paper parks' due to lack of funding, and the difficulty of balancing stakeholder needs.

APA

WWF South Africa (n.d.). wwf_fact-sheet_mpas_web_v3-329cfad73526cb36.pdf. https://wwfafrica.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/wwf_fact-sheet_mpas_web_v3.pdf

Chicago

WWF South Africa. wwf_fact-sheet_mpas_web_v3-329cfad73526cb36.pdf. n.d. https://wwfafrica.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/wwf_fact-sheet_mpas_web_v3.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=WWF South Africa |title=wwf_fact-sheet_mpas_web_v3-329cfad73526cb36.pdf |url=https://wwfafrica.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/wwf_fact-sheet_mpas_web_v3.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wwfsouthafricandwwffactsheetmpaswebv3329cfad73526cb36pdf, author = {{WWF South Africa}}, title = {{wwf\_fact-sheet\_mpas\_web\_v3-329cfad73526cb36.pdf}}, institution = {WWF South Africa}, url = {https://wwfafrica.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/wwf_fact-sheet_mpas_web_v3.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }