Why we need to look after South Africa's Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

South Africa has one of the most varied coastlines on Earth, where cold Atlantic waters meet the warm Indian Ocean and support marine life found nowhere else. These waters feed communities, drive tourism, and produce a large share of the oxygen we all depend on. That richness is under pressure. Plastic pollution, coastal development, and overexploitation threaten the habitats and species that keep the system working. Marine protected areas are one of the strongest tools we have to answer that threat. South Africa now has 41 MPAs protecting 5.4% of the country's mainland exclusive economic zone, safeguarding breeding grounds, spawning habitats, and vulnerable ecosystems along the coast. Well-managed MPAs give marine life space to recover, and that recovery spills over into the waters and livelihoods around them. The ocean sustains us. It is time we returned the favour. Produced by SUSCO, The Sustainability Communication Company. www.susco.co.za #WorldOceansDay #MarineProtectedAreas #OceanConservation #SouthAfrica #MPA #MarineConservation #SUSCO