Marine Protected Areas: Our position statement
The Two Oceans Aquarium and Foundation are uniquely positioned to achieve impact through the significant number of people we reach, and this impact is further amplified by our location in the V&A Waterfront.
Our position statement on the Marine Protected Areas will guide our actions in response to the four major threats to the ocean and will support our efforts to galvanise individual, interpersonal, community, and organisational action or support for multistakeholder processes and policy change.
Why we are taking action
Problem statement
Overfishing, climate change, ocean acidification, coral reef degradation, biodiversity loss, pollution, and habitat destruction are threats that need to be addressed for a thriving ocean to support people and nature.
In 2022, the UN Biodiversity Conference adopted the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. One of the targets was “30 by 30” with the aim of protecting 30% of the Earth and ocean by 2030. South Africa is a signatory to this agreement.
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are one of the tools to protect key marine ecosystems and species, thereby supporting the people who rely on the associated ecosystem services.
When sensitively and properly managed, MPAs have the potential to do the following when people come together in collaborative and inclusive ways:
- Protect marine heritage - biodiversity
- Support sustainable fisheries
- Support sustainable livelihoods and create jobs
- Protect coastlines
- Restore ocean health
- Provide resilience against climate change
- Protect cultural and historical heritage
- Provide powerful learning opportunities
- Boost tourism and recreational activities
- Promote fair and inclusive ocean governance
- Contribute to our understanding of nature
- Nurture our spirit
MPAs for sustainable development
South Africa’s MPAs have the potential to contribute towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, in particular "Sustainable Development Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources". MPAs could contribute to poverty alleviation, increase economic growth, support food and job security, maintain ecosystem resilience, and help mitigate the impact of climate change.
South Africa currently has 41 MPAs, which represent just 5.4% of our mainland ocean territory (EEZ). However, despite their importance, MPAs remain relatively unknown to much of the public and even many decision-makers, particularly in South Africa.
Two Oceans Aquarium and Foundation position statement
MPAs are complex socio-ecological systems with multiple interacting components – human and biophysical.
We acknowledge the need for MPAs to conserve biodiversity and ensure there are sufficient fish stocks to support people into the future.
We acknowledge the complexity of MPAs in the South African context of historical exclusion, racial injustice, the loss of cultural heritage and the legacy of economic exploitation. We acknowledge that the creation of MPAs in the past and their management in this country have abused the rights of communities.
We acknowledge that, for coastal MPAs to be effective, they need the support of local communities in a manner that is equitable and inclusive. We support a multi-lens approach that includes good governance, community participation and co-management of MPAs and that, as far as possible, is implemented in a way that maximises benefits for local communities.
What we are doing
- We support and endorse MPAs through Marine Protected Areas Day on 1 August, in Aquarium exhibits, events and through communication and training. Our aim is to raise awareness among the general public and decision makers of the essential role of MPAs in ocean conservation and their potential contribution to sustainable development and community wellbeing.
- We have begun working in partnership to research and facilitate approaches for building models for leadership development and multi-stakeholder collaboration in MPAs, as well as working with partners to learn from and empower local fishing communities with the knowledge to participate effectively in decision-making processes that influence their future.
We are guided by peer-reviewed scientific evidence and community/indigenous ways of knowing. We undertake research to measure and assess the efficacy of our approaches.
