Construction until the 5th Annual Marine Corps Reserve (MPA) day on August 1st released an easy-to-read map of the South African MPA, which helped anglers and the public navigate these precious “sea nature reserves.” This innovative idea was energised by Dr. Bruce Mann and Dr. Ryan Daly.
“Despite recent interest in the MPA, many anglers, divers, skippers and public interest members are still unsure of the exact location and the permitted activities within them, especially when celebrating MPA Day,” Dr. Mann said.
Dr. Daly said that MPA boundaries and regulations are published in the government's official gazette, but these documents are accessible in complex legal language and are often difficult to write.
The map shows the South African MPA within 40 nautical miles from the coast. Accessed from Google Earth, these maps use a color-coded “traffic light” system to show the boundaries and zoning of each MPA.
•Red = Restricted zone without fishing
•Orange = Peragic Game Fishing Zone (no bottom fishing)
Yellow = Catch and Release Zone
• Green = Control Zone allows for most recreational activities
Each MPA has its own specific regulations, so teams summarise key rules in easy-to-read bullet points for each zone, accessible in just a single click. Additionally, these maps can be downloaded to your mobile phone or laptop. When the device's location service is turned on, users can see exactly where each MPA zone is associated with it and what activities are allowed.
“We've seen you get a lot of money,” said Dr. Judy Mann, founder of MPA Day, and Dr. Judy Mann, executive of the Strategic Projects for the Two Marine Aquarium Foundations.
“These not only help raise awareness about MPA locations and zoning, but also help people understand regulations and prove that they are beneficial to both anglers and conservation authorities. After all, the first step in compliance is knowledge, and these maps are useful for both resource users and protection staff.”
All stakeholders are encouraged to download these handy free resources and share them with friends and colleagues.
Download MPA Map
To access and download these maps, please visit one of the following links: These include simple steps on how to get MPA maps on your device.
•https://saambr.org.za/zonation-of-the-new-mpas-for-anglers/
•https://mpaday.org/boundaries-and-zone
please note:
• These maps are free to use and there is no cost to download KML files.
•These maps are for information purposes only and provide a simplified overview of official Gazette regulations.
•Every effort is made to ensure accuracy, but it is not legally binding or defensible.
MPA Day Activities
Based on the foundations and momentum of World Ocean Day, MPA Day is celebrated on August 1st and encourages the adoption of the values and benefits of MPA through shared stories, talks, online and marine-based activities.
Benefits of MPA
Starting in South Africa and now celebrated around the world, MPA Day outlines the benefits of these protected marine lands for human, marine animals and marine health. These include:
・Breeding and protecting nursery schools to ensure sustainability in the fisheries
・Improved climate resilience
・Job creation and tourism
・Important research and education
By participating in the MPA Day celebration on August 1, 2025, we will now participate in global movements and protect the ocean. This year's activities aim to connect people to the ocean and bring a sense of protection to even more people around the world.
Visit MPA Day for updated events and activities and take part in all MPA Day 2025 actions. Instagram @MarineProtectedAreassa, Facebook @Mpasouthafrica, or LinkedIn(1) MPA Date: MPA Date: Overview|Overview|LinkedIn. Watch MPA day videos on YouTube.
For more information about many MPA day partners, please visit www.mpaday.org.
For industry-related news, click here.
