Highlighting the work of Cape Nature
Marine Protected Areas (MPA’s) are crucial for safeguarding species and maintaining ecosystem balance, contributing to the sustainability of fisheries, which in turn, supports livelihoods and boosts the economy.
In South Africa (SA), at least 3.6 million people depend on coastal food resources for subsistence. MPA’s are managed through the National Environmental Management Protected Areas Act (Act No. 57 of 2003) and associated regulations. CapeNature oversees six of the 13 MPA’s along the Western Cape coast, including the De Hoop MPA.
De Hoop MPA in SA – caring for threatened marine life
This marine reserve spans 288 square km and encompasses various habitats, home to a diverse range of species. It has proven especially effective in protecting endangered shark species, with underwater video footage revealing that 11 different shark species. The abundance of sharks inside the MPA is significantly higher than outside, with six of the 11 species classified as threatened such as the Critically Endangered Soupfin Shark and the Vulnerable Ragged Tooth Shark.
The De Hoop MPA also plays a vital role in conserving the Endangered African Penguin. Thanks to the concerted efforts of BirdLife South Africa, SANCCOB, and CapeNature, penguins have returned to the De Hoop Nature Reserve after an absence of over a decade. One of the biggest threats to African Penguins is the mismatch between their breeding colonies and the distribution of their main prey, anchovies and sardines. Fish stocks have shifted south and east, putting them beyond reach of the main breeding colonies in the Western Cape.
Since 2021, 185 hand-reared chicks have been released at a site fenced off from land-based predators on De Hoop Nature Reserve. In 2022, the first penguin pair hatched and successfully raised two chicks. The hope is that, with human-assisted access to fish on the Agulhas Bank, the colony will continue to grow over time.
Another successful CapeNature project
Establishing Sustainable School and Community Gardens
CapeNature has recently launched a new project as part of its Plant One Million Tree Campaign. The Greening Initiatives project aims to help schools and communities become more environmentally friendly by providing assistance in planning, creating and maintaining indigenous gardens and garden areas.
The initiative is a long-term project encouraging schools to create food gardens using sustainable practices and to green their surrounding spaces with non-invasive edible or indigenous plants. By doing so, schools can provide hands-on learning opportunities for learners about nutrition, life skills and biodiversity. Additionally, these gardens offer habitat for wildlife, attracting more birds and other biodiversity.
Community gardens are also a great way to improve food security, encourage economic empowerment, protect the environment, improve health and well-being, promote education and skill development, and foster social cohesion, aiding in the fight against climate change. These gardens can be effective instruments for tackling the social, economic, environmental and health issues that SA communities face, as well as for fostering resilience and sustainable development.
The Western Cape (WC) has globally unique flora such as fynbos and CapeNature is continually urging and teaching residents of the bountiful province to grow indigenous plants or non-invasive fruit tree species during the winter’s wetter months, rather than during the summer. Water is normally in plentiful supply during the rainy season, which is crucial for plant growth. Because they have a reliable source of water, newly planted seeds and seedlings have a higher chance of germination and establishment, making the WC the ideal growth area during their wet winters.
By promoting sustainable practices through the Greening Initiatives project, CapeNature hopes to cultivate environmental concern and support overall growth in SA communities. Creating usable green spaces can provide an exceptional and beneficial educational experience for students while fostering sustainability and environmental awareness.
In conclusion, the Greening Initiatives project is an excellent opportunity for schools and communities to contribute to a more sustainable future by promoting environmentally friendly practices. By working together, we can create a greener and healthier world for generations to come.
