Day: August 3, 2026

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) Day was observed on Saturday (1 August), marking a global initiative first introduced in 2021 to highlight the vital role MPAs play in protecting the world's oceans, while supporting the wellbeing of people and communities. The day encouraged greater appreciation of Marine Protected Areas and the many benefits they provided for both marine biodiversity and society.

The 2026 theme, "Ocean Protection Needs Human Connection," emphasised that safeguarding the oceans is a shared responsibility. Individuals, businesses, communities and governments are encouraged to reduce pollution, respect Protected Areas, support sustainable fisheries and make environmentally responsible decisions to help secure the future of marine ecosystems.

The message closely reflected the One Health approach, which recognises that the health of people, animals and ecosystems is interconnected. The concept gained renewed international attention during the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025, where it was promoted as a key framework for addressing biodiversity loss, climate change and other environmental challenges. Marine Protected Areas remain central to this approach because healthy oceans ultimately support healthy people.

MPAs protect marine and estuarine ecosystems, allowing species to thrive while preserving relatively undisturbed environments where harvesting is restricted or prohibited. These Protected Areas also serve as valuable reference sites for scientists studying long-term ecological changes and demonstrate how intact ecosystems are more resilient to climate change, pollution and extreme weather.

Healthy marine ecosystems also benefit surrounding communities. As fish and other marine species naturally move beyond MPA boundaries through a process known as "spillover", they help replenish nearby fisheries, strengthen marine ecosystems and support food security and local livelihoods.

One example is the Betty's Bay MPA, where a thriving marine environment and its African Penguin colony continue to attract thousands of visitors annually. Tourism generate valuable income for local businesses, including the community-run On the Edge restaurant, demonstrating how healthy oceans support both biodiversity conservation and economic development.

However, experts warned that these benefits could not be taken for granted. Rivers, estuaries and oceans remain closely connected, meaning pollution entering freshwater systems eventually reach coastal waters, threatening marine habitats, wildlife, tourism, public health and local economies.

The One Health approach had already proven its value in the Western Cape when authorities responded to rabies cases detected in Cape fur seals. Human and animal health experts worked together to monitor and manage the disease, highlighting the importance of coordinated action to protect both wildlife and people.

Marine Protected Areas Day ultimately reinforced that protecting the oceans extended far beyond conserving marine life. Healthy marine ecosystems continue to underpin food security, tourism, recreation, cultural heritage and human wellbeing.

The observance served as a reminder that safeguarding South Africa's Marine Protected Areas require collective action to ensure they continue benefiting both nature and future generations.