Across the globe, Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) will get the attention they deserve with the 4th MPA Day celebration taking place on Thursday, 1 August 2024. In the countdown to this day dedicated to protecting ‘nature reserves of the sea’, ocean enthusiasts worldwide share how they will be celebrating MPA Day in the biggest series of events yet.
“From the first event in 2021, we cannot believe how MPA Day has grown and this is all because of the concern and compassion of our global citizens for the health of our ocean,” said Dr Judy Mann, Founder of MPA Day, and the Executive of Strategic Projects at The Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation. “Protecting the biodiversity of our incredible marine life is impossible if it is done by just a few people. We need everyone coming together across the globe to celebrate, learn, and share our ocean for the sake of all life on Earth, the people of today and for our future generations.”
Join in the MPA Day celebrations
There are many planned in-person events and activities, as well as virtual MPA Day tours, webinars, and more to build awareness of these special places around the world. Here are some of the South African MPA Day Celebrations.
Adventure Mania in Sodwana Bay
Date: 1 August 2024
Time: Morning low tide
Place: Sodwana Bay beachfront rockpools
MPA Awareness Campaign
This is a Grade 6 outing which includes a beach clean-up, scavenger hunt, and snorkel in the rockpools. Adventure Mania ignites a passion for conservation in children, teaching them about the vital role of MPAs.
uThukela MPA Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife
Date: 1 August 2024
Place: Mangrove Forest, Umlalazi Nature Reserve, uThukela
Virtual Tour: Importance of Mangroves in the Ecosystem
Walking through the mangroves in the Umlalazi Nature Reserve adjacent to the uThukela MPA shows how species in the mangroves have adapted to survive in a dynamic environment of tides and floods. The connection of this mangrove forest in the Umlalazi Estuary is important to the survival of species in the MPA.
Addo Elephant MPA South Africa
Date: 3 August 2024
Time: 8.30am
Place: Boknes Rocky Shores
Rocky Shores Explore
This activity will take people on a walk from the ‘Big Fish’ to the local Rocky Shores, exploring and learning about the nearby MPA that many people don’t know.
Ocean Festival / Aliwal Shoal MPA & Hope Spot in South Africa
Date: 1 August 2024
Time: 5.30pm to 3.30pm
Place: Aliwal Shoal MPA – Mzimayi River to Illovo River
Ocean Festival Explore MPA Walk
A group will walk the entire length of the Aliwal Shoal MPA, collecting valuable data and conducting research into the condition of the MPA & Hope Spot. Research will be conducted inpartnership with ORI and SAAMBR. The walk is approximately 33km on the KZN South Coast beaches.
Two Oceans Aquarium in South Africa
Date: 3 August 2024
Time: 9.30am to 11.30am
Place: Dalebrook Tidal Pool | Table Mountain MPA
Rocky Shore Explore
The Two Oceans Aquarium will be exploring the beautiful, natural shoreline of Dalebrook Tidal Pool. This is an exciting opportunity for everyone to adventure through rockpools and discover the animals and plants that live in the Table Mountain National Park MPA.
Plett Shark Spotters in South Africa
Date: 3 August 2024
Time: 8.30am
Place: Robberg Nature Reserve
Guided Nature Hike
Join on a 5km hike guided by knowledgeable Plettenberg Bay conservationists who will explain the flora and fauna en route.
ORCA Foundation, Nature’s Valley Trust, Plett Shark Spotters (Plett Hope Spot) in South Africa
Place: Plettenberg Bay
How do MPAs give you hope for the future?
This collaboration will perform an educational outreach initiative for the local high schools of Plettenberg Bay for students interested in biology. This will be a presentation about MPAs and how they link to Hope Spot. They will also run a competition for students to submit artwork such as a painting, poem, short essay, or more answering the question ‘How do MPA’s give you hope for the future?’. Five winners from each school will be selected, receiving a complimentary whale-watching trip with Ocean Blue Adventures. Winners will be announced on 1 August.
Dyer Island Conservation Trust in South Africa
Date: 1 August 2024
Time: 3pm to 4.30pm
Place: Danger Point
Rocky Shore Exploration and Beach Clean-up
Dyer Island Conservation Trust, a conservation initiative of Marine Dynamics, collaborating with Cape Nature, Overstrand Municipality, Gansbaai Tourism, Grootbos Foundation, Gansbaai Academia, Masakhane Primary School and Gansbaai Primêr will embark on an exploration session of the diverse marine life, followed by a beach clean-up. This hands-on experience is perfect for anyone passionate about marine conservation and eager to make a positive impact.
Amathole MPA – Kleinemonde Beach in South Africa
Date: 4 August 2024
Time: 8.30am
Place: Kleinemonde Rocky Shores
Rocky Shores Explore
This activity will take people on a walk from the ‘Palms’ parking lot to the local Rocky Shores and along the way, we will explore and learn about the nearby MPA.
South African Webinar
Date: 1 August 2024
Time: 7pm to 8pm
Link: Register in advance for this meeting here.
LCA Unlocking Nature
Dr Bruce Mann, Dr Kendyl Wright & Kholofelo Ramokone will discuss the topic ‘Marine Protected Areas: How do we make them work?’
In a nutshell
Marine Protected Area MPA Day Celebrations
On Thursday, 1 August 2024
It’s a global event
All pictures courtesy of MPA Day
