BLOGGING THE VIEW: 5 reasons to celebrate marine protected areas this MPA Day

Friday, 1 August marks the 5th annual Marine Protected Area (MPA) Day – a day to honour our ‘nature reserves of the sea’. Started in South Africa, MPA Day has grown rapidly, now celebrated across the globe through clean-ups, seaside activities, workshops, and online events.

This year’s MPA Day theme, Making Connections, focuses on strengthening relationships between people and the ocean. It highlights how the health of the ocean directly impacts our lives, from the air we breathe and the seafood we eat, to livelihoods and emotional well-being.

5 reasons MPAs matter

1. Protection of marine biodiversity: South Africa boasts 42 MPAs covering 5.4% of its exclusive economic zone. These areas protect coral reefs, kelp forests, sandy and rocky shores, estuaries, and deep-sea canyons – all essential habitats for countless marine species.

2. Home to endemic species: Our waters are home to 2 000 fish species, including 261 endemic fish, and an impressive 10% of the world’s coral species. MPAs help preserve these unique lifeforms and the ecosystems they depend on.

3. Vital for climate resilience: Healthy marine ecosystems play a key role in carbon storage and climate change adaptation. MPAs act as buffers against climate shocks by preserving ecosystems that regulate temperature, carbon, and biodiversity.

4. Support for fisheries and food security: Older, larger female fish living undisturbed in MPAs produce more and healthier offspring, supporting sustainable fisheries and ensuring long-term food security.

5. Economic and emotional value: Beyond biodiversity, MPAs contribute to tourism, education, recreation, and even emotional well-being. They provide spaces for research and offer powerful experiences that deepen our connection to nature.

Celebrate MPA Day
Globally, only 8.2% of the ocean is protected, and less than 3% is under strict protection. In 2022, nearly 200 countries committed to the 30×30 global target – conserving 30% of the world’s ocean and land areas by 2030. This commitment is essential to ensuring a sustainable and resilient future.
Be part of the change by participating in MPA Day events this year, either at these local events or any of the online events that can be found at www.mpaday.org

Thonga Trails and Adventure Mania Marine Beach

Venue: Sodwana Bay, KZN
Date: 1 August 2025
Time: 6am to 6pm

Thonga Trails and Adventure Mania invites you to spend the day celebrating, learning, and giving back on the beaches of Sodwana Bay, one of South Africa’s most cherished marine zones. Starting with a Strava MPA run, the day includes a sea school, beach clean-up, Thonga Volley Cup Challenge, concluding with prize-giving and live music.

Discover the rocky shores of uThukela MPA

Venue: uThukela MPA, KwaZulu-Natal
Date: 1 August 2025

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife welcomes you to a unique virtual journey of the uThukela MPA. This tour will showcase the rocky shores of the uThukela MPA, comparing them with other regions that have been explored in past tours. By highlighting these contrasts, we celebrate the uniqueness of KZN’s marine life and geology.

Join all the MPA Day 2025 action by visiting www.mpaday.org for updated events and activities. Join in the discussions around MPAs on Instagram @marineprotectedareassa, Facebook @MPASouthAfrica or LinkedIn MPA DAY: Overview | LinkedIn. Check out the MPA Day videos YouTube.

Don’t have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here:

HAVE YOUR SAY