GARDEN ROUTE - Today 8 June, marks World Ocean Day 2022 and is dedicated to raising awareness of our oceans and the need for international cooperation to conserve them.
The ocean covers over 70% of our planet and life without it is essentially impossible.
A healthy ocean not only regulates climate and reduces climate change impacts, but also generates most of the oxygen we breathe. Therefore, the preservation of this huge natural resource remains more important than ever.
The theme for this year, “Revitalisation, collective action for the ocean”, highlights the importance of getting involved in protecting and conserving our marine resources.
There is so much more that we could be doing within our local community including brainstorming ideas and solutions that will work together to protect and revitalize the ocean and everything it sustains.
Currently, only 5% of South African marine and coastal areas are part of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and there is a global drive to protect at least 30% of land and ocean by 2030.
From a conservation perspective, CapeNature manages a number of coastal nature reserves, of which many are directly adjacent to the ocean.
The entity also manages six MPAs on behalf of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment: Oceans and Coasts including Robberg, Goukamma, Stillbaai, De Hoop, Betty's Bay and Rocherpan. MPAs aim to conserve marine life and promote the conservation and effective management of biodiverse marine areas.
According to CapeNature’s CEO, Dr Razeena Omar it is critical to respect and preserve our oceans and all water sources for future generations. “Our teams actively monitor these water sources as well as water quality in estuaries adjacent to the ocean.
"We currently have trained estuary monitoring teams supported by partners and volunteers, who monitor estuaries on a monthly basis as well as to conduct regular patrols along the coast. I would like to encourage people to get involved in beach clean-ups and so do their bit for our blue planet.”
In addition to beach clean-up events, this year CapeNature has partnered with the Dyer Island Conservation Trust, Whale Coast Conservation and the Overstrand Municipality to educate learners about the source to sea concept as well as the sustainable use of water resources.
The exhibition takes place today, World Ocean Day 2022, at Masakhane Primary School in Gansbaai. Learners that are in grades 5 to 7 are engaging with exhibitors.
Education and information create a better understanding of the ocean, which leads to positive environmental behaviour change in the long term.
For more information on CapeNature’s Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) read here.
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