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State of the Environment

 About the CMA
Biota  
ISSUE:  Alteration of marine and coastal habitats and the increased exploitation of resources
Issue statement
Whilst the CMA contains many kilometers of coastline, very little is protected in its natural state. The value of the remaining area for tourism and economic growth is being rapidly diminished by inappropriate development and over-exploitation.

 
What pressures are causing changes in the environment?
The coastal zone of the CMA is subject to a number of cumulative pressures and impacts. These include:
  • Over-exploitation of marine resources.
  • Pressure for coastal development, including tourism, recreational and residential development.
  • Inadequate enforcement of existing conservation and management strategies for the marine environment by local and provincial government.

 
What is the state of the environment?
Only 2% (about 4 km) of the CMA’s 300km coastline is completely conserved by proclaimed Marine Protected Area (MPA). This consists entirely of inter-tidal rocky coastline within False Bay and is too small to effectively protect mobile marine species of fish for example.

No sandy coastline areas enjoy complete protection within MPAs.

No complete protection MPAs exist on the western (Atlantic) seaboard of the CMA. In False Bay only two MPAs have complete protection for marine biota, namely Miller’s Point and Kalk Bay Marine Reserves.

A number of single species MPAs exist, for example for the protection of the rock lobster (Jasus lalandii) in Table Bay. These are relatively ineffective because of their narrow focus.

The status of at least four species or groups of marine species have been rated as "critical" within MPAs in the CMA: Abalone (Haliotis spadicea), African Black Oystercatcher (Haemotopus moquini), all species of linefish, including the endemic Sparidae and dune vegetation (Attwood et al, 1997).

Many valuable cultural, historical and educational coastal sites are not protected. These include historical wrecks, such as that of the Antipolis near Oudekraal dive sites and the Coral Gardens below Hottentotshuisie on the Atlantic coast.

 
Year One Indicators
No indicators of disturbance or the loss of coastal resources in the CMA currently exist.

The extent of the CMA coastline that is completely protected within a MPA can be measured using the following indicators:

  • Area of coastline conserved (% of total).

See a summary of all Indicators on this website

 
What responses are we giving to the problem?
The following responses are underway:
  • The establishment of the Cape Peninsula National Park will allow the incorporation of MPAs into terrestrial conservation areas, thus creating a single conservation management entity from mountain peak to the ocean floor.
  • DEAT have initiated the preparation of a national Coastal Management Policy. The policy formulation process has included extensive public, authority and interest group participation, grouped into a number of demarcated areas of the coast. The CMA is one of these areas and CMC has participated in the process.
  • PAWC is currently developing a provincial coastal policy.

 
What can you do about it?
  • Familiarise yourself with the new Living Marine Resources Act and the permit requirements relevant to each species. Obtain a permit for fishing activities and report those who are poaching.
  • Do not drive on sand dunes and the beach.
  • Get involved in civic bodies or committees that participate in planning and development activities in coastal areas.
  • Establish partnerships with authorities to co-manage marine and coastal resources.
  • Report any unusual events in the coastal and marine habitat to the relevant authority, e.g. red tide, crayfish walkouts, large-scale deaths of marine animals and unpleasant odours.