On 1 August South Africa celebrates Marine Protected Area Day - the first country in the world to do so.
Why a day to celebrate Marine Protected Areas?
Well, this helps us collectively appreciate the value of MPAs and how they benefit both us and the incredible marine biodiversity they designed to protect.
It’s a day to share stories and information about why and how we need to conserve our oceans and keep building support for MPAs. We hope that MPA Day will help more South Africans recognise the important role MPAs in preserving our oceans for both people and nature.
By joining with people all over South Africa in celebrating MPA Day we can make a clear statement that no matter where we live, we can all help to protect the ocean and ensure that the ocean continues to support us. Our fate is closely tied to the health of our ocean, and MPAs are one of the best ways to ensure ocean health.
MPA Day ACTIVITIES INCLUDE
PHOTO COMPETITION
Two categories: Under the Water in an MPA
Above the Water in an MPA
For amateur and professional photographers respectively.
The competition will run from 1 July to 30 August.WEBINAR - Do Marine Protected Areas work?
Tune into the MPA Day Webinar to discover the answer to this,and many other questions about MPAs
7pm South Africa - 1 August. REGISTER FOR WEBINAR.TWITTER CHAT on MPA Day featuring MPA Alliance partners. Anyone can join in! #MPADay #LetsTalkMPAs.
6 - 7pm South Africa - 1 August.CELEBRATIONS ON THE SHORE IN MPAs.
Our MPA authorities and local community groups will lead visits to the following MPAs:
- Aliwal Shoal MPA - SAAMBR & Olivia Jones Communications
- Amathole MPA - East London Aquarium
- Betty’s Bay MPA - Cape Nature Conservation
- Goukamma MPA - Strandloper Project
- iSimangaliso Wetland Park MPA - WILDTRUST, Youth4MPAs, uFudu Turtle Tours, Adventure Mania
- Robben Island Heritage Trust - Two Oceans Aquarium
- Table Mountain MPA - Two Oceans Aquarium, I Am Water, Ocean Hub Africa
- uThukela MPA - Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife
Download full activity list for MPA Day 2022A BIOBLITZ in MPAs with iNaturalist.
These big, tiny and deep creatures live in our MPAs!
FOLLOW US
Instagram @marineprotectedareassa
Twitter @MPAsSA1
Facebook Marine Protected Areas SA (@MPASouthAfrica)
