Robben Island Marine Protected Area

Robben Island Marine Protected Area is a Marine Protected Area (MPA) located in South Africa. It was established in 2019 to protect the marine ecosystem surrounding Robben Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The MPA covers an area of 507 square kilometers and is managed by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE).

History

The Robben Island Marine Protected Area was declared by the South African government in 2019 as part of an initiative to increase the protection of South Africa's marine resources. The MPA is one of 20 new MPAs declared at the same time, which together increased the proportion of South Africa's marine and coastal areas under protection from 0.4% to 5%.

Geography

The MPA surrounds Robben Island, which is located in Table Bay, off the coast of Cape Town. The island is approximately 6.9 kilometers west of the mainland. The MPA extends from the high-water mark on the island to a distance of around 9.7 kilometers offshore, covering an area of 507 square kilometers.

Biodiversity

The MPA is home to a diverse range of marine life, including several species of seabirds, penguins, seals, and dolphins. It also protects important fish breeding and nursery areas, and includes habitats such as kelp forests, sandy beaches, and rocky shores.

Conservation

The primary aim of the MPA is to protect the marine ecosystem and biodiversity of the area surrounding Robben Island. This includes the protection of species that are endemic to the area, as well as those that are threatened or endangered. The MPA also aims to protect the cultural heritage of Robben Island, which has a history dating back thousands of years and includes significant archaeological sites.

See also

• Marine Protected Areas of South Africa
• Robben Island
• Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment