Wild Alliance Africa Celebrates MPA Day on KZN South Coast

The 5th annual Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Day on 1 August – founded by South Africa’s Dr Judy Mann - saw ocean-focused events celebrated across the globe, with local conservation group, Wild Alliance Africa, showing their commitment to ocean health on Friday.

Scientists, ocean advocates, residents, and conservation partners focused on Aliwal Shoal MPA, a Mission Blue Hope Spot® near Scottburgh on the KZN South Coast, with a 32km walk from Happy Wanderers Beach to Illovo River completed by Mark O’Connor, Hein Labuschagne, Steven Green, and Russel Symcox (Wild Alliance Africa founder). Joining the team along the way and providing much-needed support were Rune Van Zyl (Clansthal), Chris Brown (Kloof), Chris and Jenny Hatton (Clansthal), Claire Taylor (Scottburgh), and Jeff Maulin (Clansthal). During this time, they engaged beachgoers about MPAs and recorded wildlife sightings.

Offshore, surfski paddler, Barry Lewin (Ballito) mirrored the route, spotting dolphins, a turtle and whale; while Julian Taylor (Widenham) – the Ocean Warriors founder – swam around 5km from Scottburgh to Clansthal Conservancy under the Green Point Lighthouse. Dr Ryan Daly of the Oceanographic Research Institute in Durban, who assisted in the creation of the free digital MPA maps for South Africa, was part of the day’s team: “It’s a great day to highlight the diversity of MPAs in South Africa and connect to a global stage that recognises the value of MPAs worldwide.”

Commenting on the successful event, Wild Alliance Africa founder, Russel Symcox, said: “While the strong southerly winds and massive swells sadly hampered some of the activities planned, it’s important that we make every day MPA Day if we’re going to hit that 30x30 target of conserving at least 30% of the land and ocean areas by 2030. Thank you to everyone who came out to support, and we hope that the information shared will make an impact on protecting this and many other MPAs.”

For more information, visit www.wildallianceafrica.org | www.mpaday.org.

Follow on Instagram @marineprotectedareassa | Facebook @MPASouthAfrica | LinkedIn  (1) MPA DAY: Overview | LinkedIn to see photos.

Check out the MPA Day videos on YouTube.