It’s Marine Protected Area Day in SA – here’s how to celebrate…

Betty's Bay and its tuxedo-clad residents is one such MPA. Photo: Gilbert Sopakuwa / flickr

With last year’s Marine Protected Area (MPA) Day being such a hit, this 1 August, MPA celebrations are set to go global.

Betty’s Bay and its tuxedo-clad residents is one such MPA. Photo: Gilbert Sopakuwa / flickr

What is Marine Protected Area Day?

Celebrated today, 1 August, Marine Protected Area Day is a day to collectively appreciate the value of marine protected areas and how they benefit both us and the incredible marine biodiversity they designed to protect. It’s a day to share stories and information about why and how we need to conserve our oceans and keep building support for MPAs, says the organisation’s website.

South Africa currently has 41 of these MPAs, but they only make up 41% of the country’s ocean and coast. Dr Judy Mann, who is the executive of Strategic Projects of the Two Oceans Aquarium Education Foundation, says that they are very excited about this year’s MPA Day which will be celebrated across the world.

“We have new partners to join our incredible team, and we hope to make MPA Day even more accessible to its global supporters. A few other countries will be joining us as we work towards our dream of making MPA Day a truly international celebration.” said Dr Mann.

How to celebrate MPA Day this year…

There will be a variety of fantastic activities and competitions this MPA Day, including a Photo Competition that will run from 1 July to 31 August.

There will also be a special webinar with five leading South African marine scientists to share the latest research on MPAs at 19:00 on Monday, 1 August, hosted by the MPA Alliance. Visit MPA Day — Marine Protected Areas South Africa for more information about MPAs and MPA Day.

ALSO READ: SA’s newest Penguin colony thrives in the Cape

Sundeeka Mungroo

Sundeeka Mungroo is a content writer, foodie and all-round adventure-seeker. She's a graduate of the University of South Africa with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature, and has worked as a copywriter and editor in the digital marketing industry. Sundeeka currently writes for I Love South Africa and The South African. She lives in the beautiful Mother City and loves exploring all that South Africa has to offer.