Programme Director,
Good evening ladies and gentlemen.
It is indeed an honour to receive this Gift of the Earth Award from WWF on behalf of the South African government, in recognition of the proclamation of the Prince Edward Islands Marine Protected Area.
WWF South Africa have long been a committed partner to the Department of Environmental Affairs and the South African government and this evening’s event is a testament to this collaborative relationship, with both working towards this historic event for over 9 years.
In proclaiming the new Prince Edward Islands Marine Protected Area (MPA), we are confirming our commitment to a future in which our children will know and benefit from the beauty of the planet as we have known it.
Despite the increasing recognition of the importance of resilient ecosystems in securing a habitable planet, humankind’s impact on our natural ecosystems continues to grow. It is now estimated that we are using our natural resources 50% faster than the Earth can replenish them.
Our oceans, which surround us on the Southern tip of Africa, are perhaps one of our most neglected natural assets. These oceans that provide are livelihoods for hundreds of thousands of South Africans and provide food to millions more, remain vulnerable against increasing global pressures. The South African government remains convinced that Marine Protected Areas, when used in conjunction with other measures, play a vital role in securing our marine natural assets both now and into the future.
The Prince Edward Islands MPA is not only South Africa’s first offshore Marine Protected Area, but is also the seventh largest Marine Protected Area in the world. This is a major step towards realising the global commitments the South Africa government made under the banner of the World Summit on Sustainable Development as well as the World Parks Congress, to improve the proportion of our oceans under protection.
The Prince Edward Islands MPA will bolster the protection of the unique and fragile marine biodiversity of the islands, including more than 5 million seabirds, seals and whales that frequent the islands to breed. Many of these species are threatened.
Notably, the Prince Edwards Islands are home to the largest breeding population of Wandering Albatross in the world, with approximately 40% of the global breeding population found on these islands. Yet, sadly, populations of the Wandering Albatross and other albatross species have been declining as a result of unregulated fishing practices.
It is hoped that the creation of the Prince Edward Island MPA will assist in halting this decline and provide a safe haven for these iconic species that are recognised by centuries of mariners as birds of “good omen.” Perhaps, in recognition of our efforts, the wandering albatross will become a good omen for South Africa’s marine conservation efforts!
The MPA will also help in recovery of the commercially valuable Patagonian Tooth fish fishery, a stock that was plundered by international poachers in the late 1990s.We are pleased to note that due to international efforts lead by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources this threat has diminished and that South Africa continues to operate a viable commercial fishery around the Prince Edward Islands today. These fishers are an integral partner in our plans to manage this Marine Protected Area, as they are vital eyes and ears on these distant waters.
Some may be wondering about South Africa’s ability to ensure that this Marine Protected Are is adequately protected. As part of the process leading to this declaration we have developed a comprehensive compliance plan that includes components relating to: remote vessel monitoring; the use of technology such as satellite and radar; communications and co-management with our commercial fisheries partners; and physical air and sea patrols. We are also seeking to further enhance cooperation with the Australian and French governments, who regularly patrol their sovereign territories of Heard Island and the Crozet Islands, located to the East of the Prince Edward Islands.
This co-operation will ensure that we are able to jointly and most effectively, protect these important areas. I am also very aware of the fact that South Africa’s offshore environmental protection vessels are currently under repair. I am working closely with Minister Joemat-Pietersen to ensure that these vessels are operational and back on the water as soon as possible to be able to conduct patrols to the Prince Edward Islands. In addition our new research vessel, the “Miriam Makeba” known as Agulhas II is down there as we speak and this provides additional monitoring of the area.
It is also hoped that the proclamation of the Prince Edward Islands Marine Protected Area, will inspire the international community to create additional Marine Protected Areas within the Southern Ocean as proposed by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR).
The Prince Edward Islands MPA represents a major step forward in the development of a comprehensive network of Marine Protected Areas across the Southern Ocean, and follows similar Marine Protected Areas proclamations around the neighbouring Crozet Islands, sovereign territory of France, and Heard Island, territory of Australia.
And in this regard, I am particularly pleased to tell you that South African and French scientists are already co-operating to understand how marine ecosystems around our Prince Edward Islands are connected to the ecosystems of the neighbouring Crozet Islands, with a view to testing the feasibility of linking our protection efforts within our respective national Economic Exclusive Zones (EEZs) by means of a high seas Marine Protected Area.
I strongly support this ongoing collaboration, and look forward to stronger cooperation with the French scientists and government in this regard.
But our efforts will not only be focused on the Southern Ocean. My department is committed to continue working with partners such as WWF, to identify further priority marine ecosystems that can contribute strategically towards a more representative and comprehensive network of Marine Protected Areas within South Africa’s continental.
This process has already identified the proposed Namaqualand inshore Marine Protected Area, of which this department has already committed funds to manage this MPA through SANParks. Negotiations are on-going with the communities, the mining industry as well as other affected partners in ensuring that we will have an MPA in the Northern Cape.
The Northern Cape is currently the only Coastal Province without a formal MPA in South Africa. We will be focusing our energy on these priorities over the coming months and years and I hope that within the near future I will be able to report on successful progress of this work.
Thank you!
