The new Amathole Marine Protected Area is South Africa's 21st marine protected area

The three separate marine areas Gxulu, Gonubie and Kei, which are located around East London in South Africa's Eastern Cape province, are forming the new Amathole Marine Protected Area (MPA), which got declared as such last week by Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs Mrs B.E.E. Molewa. The MPA is the 21st marine protected area along South Africa's coastline.


View Amathole Marine Protected Area in a larger map

According to the governmental gazette, the purpose for declaring the Marine Protected Area is:

• to protect and conserve the marine environment and marine biodiversity in the Amathole region
• to provide a sanctuary for species impacted by boat-based exploitation
• to provide benchmark areas for scientific research and monitoring aimed at the protection and conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems
• to control activities in the Marine Protected Area to reduce the risks of habitat degradation.

Shore-based angling, spearfishing and bait collecting activities will still be allowed although this will be more strictly controlled as the shore-line up to the high water mark falls within the MPA.