DURBAN, South Africa (11 Sep 2003) -- The governments of South Africa and Mozambique announced several new commitments to protect their marine environments at a World Parks Congress marine event hosted by WWF last night. The four new marine protected areas (MPAs) announced total more than 8,000km2 and include mangroves, coral reefs, estuaries, and important areas for hundreds of fish species. South Africa will proclaim three new MPAs later this year, including the Cape Peninsula MPA, which will include several no-take zones on both sides of the biologically rich Cape Peninsula, and a 900km2 MPA along the Pondoland coastline. In addition, the Aliwal Shoal, which has long been a popular site for scuba divers, will be protected to rebuild its reef fish populations and to regulate the diving industry. The government also announced its intention to declare two additional MPAs currently in early stages of development. The government of Mozambique announced its immediate intention to protect the important Zambezi Delta, a 6,700km2 zone that includes the second-most important mangrove system on the East African coast. Minister of Tourism Dr.Fernando Sumbana Junior also announced Mozambique's commitment to establishing new MPAs in the northern coastal provinces of Nampula and Cabo Delgado, as well as the southern coastal province of Maputo. Both countries also pledged their support to establishing a trans-frontier marine protected area from the Maputo Special Reserve in Mozambique over the borders of South Africa down to the Greater St. Lucia Wetlands Park. | | "These announcements demonstrate the tremendous commitment both South Africa and Mozambique have made to protecting their rich marine resources," said Dr Yaa Ntiamoa-Baidu, Director of WWF's Africa and Madagascar Programme. "Together with Kenya and Tanzania, these countries are establishing a regional network of marine protected areas that will protect coastal biodiversity and help alleviate pressure on the declining fish stocks of Eastern Africa." The announcements came during an event to celebrate the success and global leadership of the countries of East Africa in protecting its marine resources. In the past four years alone, WWF has worked together with the governments of Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, and South Africa to more than double the protected areas coverage along the coast. "Less than 1 per cent of the world's oceans are protected, compared to nearly 12 per cent of land areas," said Dr Simon Cripps, Director of WWF's Endangered Seas Programme. "At a time when marine resources are under greater threat than ever, East Africa is setting an example for the rest of the world of what can be done to protect its marine and coastal environments." SOURCE - WWF |
