"With a coastline of about 3000 kilometres, South Africa is a prime destination for ocean and coastal tourism, a growing sector within the tourism market. Protecting our oceans and coast is an investment in future growth,” says Judy Mann-Lang, Conservation Strategist for the South African Association for Marine Biological Research.

Currently 0,4% of South Africa’s waters are protected in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). This is despite South Africa being a signatory of the Convention for Biological Diversity which commits countries to achieving 10% by 2020, to promote ocean health and human well-being, according to Wildoceans, a marine and coastal conservation programme, developed in response to the need to ensure ocean health and sustainability for all.  

The pressures currently facing South Africa’s oceans will have a direct impact on tourism opportunities, and, if not appropriately managed, these pressures will undermine the future of coastal tourism, according to Mann-Lang.

South Africa’s oceans were recently represented at the Society for Conservation Biology’s International Marine Conservation Congress (IMCC), which took place in Malaysia between June 24 and 29, with over 700 marine conservation professionals and students in attendance to develop new and powerful tools to further marine conservation science and policy, including South Africa’s Dr Jean Harris of Wildoceans (a programme of the Wildtrust), and #OnlyThisMuch, a campaign in collaboration with key marine conservation stakeholders and NGOs to advance the protection of South Africa’s oceans.  

Harris conducted a presentation on the process of identifying MPAs for conservation and, along with Pew Fellow, Ellen Pikitch,  convened a workshop organised by the Pew Fellows Programme (a marine conservation programme that awards fellowships annually to midcareer professionals) on the value and effectiveness of MPAs.

When asked about the IMCC experience, Harris said: “The need to increase protection of the oceans has been a key theme. Scientific evidence indicates that at least 30% protection of ocean space is needed if the benefits that MPAs bring are to be gained – such as improved fisheries, protection of natural heritage, climate impact reduction, better livelihoods and more jobs for coastal communities.”

Mann-Lang says tourism is worth many millions of rands to the country’s economy; it is also important in terms of job creation and provides SMMEs with an opportunity to develop. “Properly managed, our tourism sector could be a major player in the growth of the South African economy.”

Furthermore, Mann-Lang believes that marine tourism plays a major role in attracting international visitors to South Africa. “Internationally research shows that tourists are demanding more experiences, rather than just traditional beach holidays. South Africa is well placed to give these new tourists a wide range of experiences based on the varied marine ecosystems we are home to.”

However, she says South Africa should not try to follow examples from the Mediterranean and other developed countries. “What makes South Africa unique is the unspoilt beauty of our coast – this should be maintained through sensitive and thoughtful coastal development in support of tourism.”