15 incredibly unique and vitally important ocean ambassadors living along the coast.
Meeting residents of the sea in celebration of MPA Day.
While many visitors to South Africa are familiar with ‘The Big 5’ of the African bush, few are aware of the many important undersea ambassadors that inhabit the coastal waters.
In celebration of MPA Day on Monday, August 1, it’s time to meet these interesting and ecologically significant residents of South Africa’s Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
Executive of Strategic Projects at the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, Judy Mann, said: “Marine Protected Areas are our ‘game reserves of the sea’, and just like our game reserves, there are many interesting and exciting animals to look out for. This MPA Day, we want to introduce people to The Big 5, The Tiny 5, and The Deep 5 – 15 incredibly unique and vitally important ocean ambassadors living along our coast.”
Mann added that just like their game reserve counterparts, The Big 5 are some of the most captivating animals to view in real life, saying that it’s certainly an experience to remember.
“African penguins, these iconic birds are loved for their comical waddle and the bonds that they form with a partner for life. They are also sentinels for the environment – and today African penguins are telling us that something is very wrong in our oceans. African penguin numbers are decreasing at a rapid rate because their food sources are running out. Our MPAs can protect penguins, but they really need more fish in the sea to survive,” said Mann.
She added that Sunfish are graceful, charismatic fish, their strange shape and enormous size make them perfect ocean ambassadors, igniting interest and intrigue, saying that they are wide-ranging and visit many of their MPAs, especially those around the Western Cape.
“Leatherback turtles, these enormous ocean wanderers nest on the beaches of the iSimangaliso MPA. Lugging their huge bodies up the beach, the females carefully dig a nest in which they lay their precious eggs. After 2-3 months the tiny turtle hatchlings emerge from the nests, and scurry down the beach to start their slow and dangerous journey to adulthood.”
Mann said the Big 5 also includes the humpback whales and whale sharks.
She added that the MPA tiny 5 includes the Knysna seahorse, anemones, bluebottle, sea urchins, and the cleaner Shrimp.
Mann said the MPA deep 5 includes the coelacanth, volcano sponge (Pheronema), kingklip, ORI spider crab, and the John Dory.
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