Marine Protected Areas(MPAs);Case of Ezemvelo in South Africa
Samuel Umoh
University of kwa Zulu Natal Durban
Umoh Samuel Uwem a PhD Scholar, Department of Public International Relations and Public Affairs, University of Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa. He is a lecturer , Department of History, University of Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa . Prior to that position, he was a postgraduate Research Assistant cum Tutor in Cultural Heritage/Tourism . He is also a field researcher for Tourism Kwazulu-Natal.
ELIZABETH oyewo
University of kwa Zulu Natal Durban
Adetola is a Ph.D scholar, University of Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa.She is a Consultant and Research Assistant ,Brainstorm Trade and Travel Consult in South Africa. Her role involves enhancement of tourists experience , data collection and analysis on tourism in South Africa. She is involved in marketing South Africa as a tourist destination to international students as well as tourists. She volunteers for the South Africa Institute International Affairs (SAIIA).She is an alumni on Africa School on Internet Governance and TRINET.
Abstract
South Africa have twenty-four Marine Protected Areas(MPAs) and Act (1998) protecting these MPAs. The need for MPAs in South Africa emanated from the 2011 National Biodiversity Assessment .The assessment revealed that... [ view full abstract ]
South Africa have twenty-four Marine Protected Areas(MPAs) and Act (1998) protecting these MPAs. The need for MPAs in South Africa emanated from the 2011 National Biodiversity Assessment .The assessment revealed that fishing is the greatest threat to marine biodiversity with many of South Africa’s commercial line fish species over-exploited. This was at an alarmingly rate of 47% of marine and coastal habitat species threatened (Sink et al, 2012).Similarly, the Act (1998) also stipulates special regulations on fish conservation, fishery management, marine tourism and the roles of government in the management of MPAs. The MPAs were identified as part of 'Operation Phakisa', launched in October 2014 by President Zuma, to fast track South Africa’s ocean economy.
Ezemvelo, located in the Kwazulu-Natal of South Africa is no exemption to this trend. Ezemvelooffers game drives and guided walks through the uMkhuze section of iSimangaliso Wetland Park . With this background, the paper discuss the need for MPAs;the socio-economic importance of MPAs; operation of MPAs; and institutional and legal framework. The roles of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) was examined also.
The study was a qualitative research ,with interviews conducted with Ezemvelo manager and staff. The management effectiveness tracking tool (METT) scoring system was also utilized to assess extent of MPAs compliance.
The findings reveals that MPAs are hindered by issues such as MPAs non-compliance, lax MPAs enforcement , ignorance on the part of fishermen, and lacunae in MPAs management and monitoring .The paper recommended the need for training on MPAs compliance, education of users on importance of MPAs, properly policing and monitoring of the area.
Authors
-
Samuel Umoh
(University of kwa Zulu Natal Durban)
-
ELIZABETH oyewo
(University of kwa Zulu Natal Durban)
Topic Areas
Topics: Wildlife, Tourism, and Recreation , Topics: Community-Based Conservation , Topics: Public-Private Partnerships and Corporate Sustainability
Session
(01:00 - Thursday, 1st January)
Presentation Files
The presenter has not uploaded any presentation files.
