(Norse 1993; Hockey and Branch 1997). With the continuous proliferation of marine
invasions, the ability of MPAs to meet these conservation objectives is likely to be
challenged (for example see Robinson et al. 2007a).
South Africa has a network of 23 coastal MPAs with an additional 20 offshore
MPAs that are expected to be proclaimed in 2019. The coastal network (Table 9.2)
accounts for 23% of the South African coastline (Sink et al. 2012), although only
about 10% is fully protected. Despite the conservation imperative for MPAs and the
recognition of the potential threat posed by marine alien species, by 2010 only three
of the coastal MPAs had been surveyed for alien species. In 2003, three alien species
were recorded in Langebaan Lagoon and Marcus Island on the west coast (Robinson
et al. 2004). The Mediterranean Mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis was the most
widespread and abundant species, supporting an estimated biomass of 117 tonnes
on Marcus Island and just less than 1 tonne in Langebaan Lagoon (Robinson et al.
2004), but it has since disappeared from the lagoon. An additional two species were
noted within the lagoon, the anemone Sagartia ornata and the intertidal periwinkle
Littorina saxatilis. The distribution and abundance of S. ornata was reassessed in
2013 when it was found to alter the community structure of invaded sandy shores
(Robinson and Swart 2015). Betty’s Bay MPA was surveyed for the first time in
2010, and the only alien species recorded was the bryozoan Watersipora
subtorquata (Malherbe and Samways 2014).
Table 9.2 A list of all
South African Marine
Protected Areas and the years
in which they were surveyed
for marine alien species
MPA
Years in which surveys
have been conducted
Langebaan Lagoon
2003, 2013
Marcus Island
2003, 2013
Malgas Island
2013
Jutten Island
2013
Sixteen Mile Beach
2013
Table Mountain National Park
2013
Helderberg
2013
Betty’s Bay
2010, 2013
De Hoop
2014
Still Bay
2014
Goukamma
2014
Robberg
2014
Tsitsikamma
2014
Sardinia Bay
2014
Bird Island
2014
Amathole
2014
Trafalgar
2014
Dwesa-Cwebe
Unsurveyed
Hluleka
Unsurveyed
Pondoland
Unsurveyed
Aliwal Shoal
2014
St Lucia
2014
238
T. B. Robinson et al.
invasions, the ability of MPAs to meet these conservation objectives is likely to be
challenged (for example see Robinson et al. 2007a).
South Africa has a network of 23 coastal MPAs with an additional 20 offshore
MPAs that are expected to be proclaimed in 2019. The coastal network (Table 9.2)
accounts for 23% of the South African coastline (Sink et al. 2012), although only
about 10% is fully protected. Despite the conservation imperative for MPAs and the
recognition of the potential threat posed by marine alien species, by 2010 only three
of the coastal MPAs had been surveyed for alien species. In 2003, three alien species
were recorded in Langebaan Lagoon and Marcus Island on the west coast (Robinson
et al. 2004). The Mediterranean Mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis was the most
widespread and abundant species, supporting an estimated biomass of 117 tonnes
on Marcus Island and just less than 1 tonne in Langebaan Lagoon (Robinson et al.
2004), but it has since disappeared from the lagoon. An additional two species were
noted within the lagoon, the anemone Sagartia ornata and the intertidal periwinkle
Littorina saxatilis. The distribution and abundance of S. ornata was reassessed in
2013 when it was found to alter the community structure of invaded sandy shores
(Robinson and Swart 2015). Betty’s Bay MPA was surveyed for the first time in
2010, and the only alien species recorded was the bryozoan Watersipora
subtorquata (Malherbe and Samways 2014).
Table 9.2 A list of all
South African Marine
Protected Areas and the years
in which they were surveyed
for marine alien species
MPA
Years in which surveys
have been conducted
Langebaan Lagoon
2003, 2013
Marcus Island
2003, 2013
Malgas Island
2013
Jutten Island
2013
Sixteen Mile Beach
2013
Table Mountain National Park
2013
Helderberg
2013
Betty’s Bay
2010, 2013
De Hoop
2014
Still Bay
2014
Goukamma
2014
Robberg
2014
Tsitsikamma
2014
Sardinia Bay
2014
Bird Island
2014
Amathole
2014
Trafalgar
2014
Dwesa-Cwebe
Unsurveyed
Hluleka
Unsurveyed
Pondoland
Unsurveyed
Aliwal Shoal
2014
St Lucia
2014
238
T. B. Robinson et al.