South Africa’s Addo Elephant National Park Marine Protected Area (MPA) is receiving increased recognition for its role in protecting an extraordinary array of biodiversity and enhancing the tourism offerings available in the Eastern Cape province.

Situated close to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) the MPA was proclaimed in 2019 as a marine component of the Addo Elephant National Park – with the unique selling point of allowing tourists to experience the ‘Big 7’ (Africa’s traditional Big Five in addition to the Great White shark and whales).

In recognition of World Environment Day on June 5, the Wilderness Foundation Africa and the Oak Foundation donated R1.3 million (€65 000) for the purchase of a new patrol boat to aid South African National Parks rangers’ work in conserving and protecting the vital biodiversity of the region.

The MPA is home to all five major South African coastal types that require protection, including sandy beaches, rocky shores, reefs, an estuary and islands. It also protects important feeding areas for the 3 000 pairs of endangered African penguins breeding in Algoa Bay and the 90 000 pairs of endangered Cape gannets breeding at Bird Island. 

A small yet dedicated team of Marine Rangers are tasked with the MPA’s safety, security and conservation, providing an ever-vigilant presence in the area as they alternate between Bird Island and boats in and around the MPA. Since their establishment, the rangers have made a number of arrests, confiscated numerous vessels and fishing equipment and issued various fines for marine-related crimes.

Doné Louw, Head of Destination Marketing at the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Agriculture, said private-sector stakeholders, along with volunteer groups, had played a crucial role in supplementing the work of rangers protecting Algoa Bay.

“There are many stakeholders that contribute to the safekeeping and protection of our biggest tourism asset – Algoa Bay. Some prime examples are Raggy Charters, which implements many sustainable practices, as well as SANCCOB, who cares for and rehabilitates our African penguins and other seabirds. Many of our nature reserves and parks also have volunteer groups who contribute to the upkeep and improvement of our assets.”

In 2016, Algoa Bay was declared one of five Hope Spots in South Africa. An initiative between marine protection organisations the Sustainable Seas Trust and Mission Blue, the Hope Spots seeks to bolster the conservation of marine areas that are critical to the health of the ocean.