Find your way around South Africa’s MPAs with the launch of the MPA maps!

In the build-up to the 5th annual Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) Day on 1 August, easy-to-read maps of South Africa’s MPAs have been released to help anglers and the public navigate these precious ‘nature reserves of the sea’. This innovative idea was brought to life by Dr Bruce Mann and Dr Ryan Daly, both of whom work at the Oceanographic Research Institute in Durban.

"Despite recent interest in our MPAs – particularly as we build up to the celebration of MPA Day - many anglers, divers, skippers, and interested members of the public are still unsure of their exact locations and the permitted activities within them," said Dr Mann.

Dr Daly explained that, although MPA boundaries and regulations are published in the Government Gazette, these documents are often hard to access and written in complex, legal language: "In our effort to improve understanding, we created simple maps of all South Africa’s coastal MPAs, which are free for anyone to access online."

The maps indicate South Africa’s MPAs within 40 nautical miles of the coast. These maps, which are accessible via Google Earth, show the boundaries and zoning of each MPA using a colour-coded "traffic light" system:

• Red = No-fishing restricted zones
• Orange = Pelagic game fishing zones (no bottom fishing)
• Yellow = Catch-and-release zones
• Green = Control zones allowing most recreational activities

Since each MPA has its own specific regulations, the team has summarised the key rules in easy-to-read bullet points for each zone, accessible with a single click. Additionally, these maps can be downloaded onto a cell phone or laptop. When the device’s location services are on, users can see exactly where they are in relation to each MPA zone and what activities are permitted.

"We’re incredibly excited about the creation and launch of these maps in time for our annual MPA Day celebration,” commented Dr Judy Mann, Founder of MPA Day, and the Executive of Strategic Projects at The Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation. “These will not only serve to increase awareness about the location and zonation of our MPAs, but also to help people understand the regulations, proving beneficial for both anglers and conservation authorities. After all, the first step to compliance is knowledge, and these maps will help both resource users and conservation staff."

All interested parties are encouraged to download these useful, free resources and share them with friends and colleagues.

MPA Day Activities

Building on the foundation and momentum of World Ocean Day, MPA Day is celebrated on 1 August, encouraging everyone to appreciate the value and benefits of MPAs – Marine Protected Areas - through shared stories, talks, online, and ocean-based activities.

MPA Benefits

Started in South Africa and now celebrated across the globe, MPA Day outlines the benefits of these protected ocean spaces for humans, marine animals, and ocean health. These include:

• Protecting breeding and nursery areas to ensure fishery sustainability
• Increased climate resilience
• Job creation and tourism
• Vital research and education

Join the global movement to protect oceans now by participating in the MPA Day celebrations on 1 August 2025, themed Making Connections. This year’s activities seek to connect people to the ocean and bring conservation awareness to even more people around the world.

Join in on all the MPA Day 2025 action by visiting MPA Day for updated events and activities. Join in the discussions around MPAs on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn. Check out the MPA Day videos on YouTube.

For more information on the many MPA Day partners, visit www.mpaday.org