As part of the National Marine Week 2010 awareness campaign, The Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi visited the Tsitsikamma Marine Protected Area (MPA) where she met with stakeholders. In the meeting she highlighted the importance of MPAs and the new mandate for the Department of Environmental Affairs with regard to the conservation of our coastal and marine resources, including its biodiversity, to carry out ecosystems research, marine pollution control and coastal management.
This being the International Year of Biodiversity, the theme for this year’s National Marine Week celebrations under the theme: “Oceans of life,” is focused on the biodiversity in the ocean. MPAs, such as Tsitsikamma, play an important role in the conservation and protection of marine diversity. The world over, there has been a recognition that measures such as the establishment and management of Marine Protected Areas plays a key role in assisting the global community to protect marine biodiversity,” said Mabudafhasi.
At a recent meeting in Paris most countries agreed that targets set in the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation will not be met. Mabudafhasi further stated that “Marine Protected Areas are not merely a fisheries management tool, their actual purpose is much broader and they, like terrestrial protected areas focus on the protection and conservation of marine biodiversity generally, specific species, control of pollution and minimising impacts of other activities.”
Our marine environment is home to many migratory and protected species, including whales, dolphins, turtles, seals, and seabirds which are subject to international agreements. The management of MPAs provides important socio-economic benefits such as tourism, and recreation. The Tsitsikamma Marine Protected Area is a leading tourism destination in the country and contributes significantly to the local gross domestic product (GDP). We as the Department of Environmental Affairs wishes to thank all stakeholders who have contributed to the management of this Protected Area and hence who have made their contributions to conservation.
Responding to the Deputy Minister’s speech the stakeholders raised their concerns regarding Rural Development and Land Reform, Corporative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and Water Affairs and the Deputy Minister committed to discuss with her colleagues. Issues raised include access to land, access to burial sites, Management of Working for Water, Coast Care projects, access to fishing and administrative justice.
The Deputy Minister will conclude the National Marine Week with a beach cleanup at Monwabisi beach in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, on Friday, 15 October 2010 at 09h30.
For media enquiries:
Peter Mbelengwa
Cell: 082 6118197
E-mail: mbelengwap@dwa.gov.za
