In response to the lack of knowledge about the status of invasions in MPAs,
baseline surveys of the intertidal and shallow sub-tidal zones were undertaken for
19 of the 23 MPAs by Brooker (2016). In total, 22 alien species from eight phyla were
recorded across the MPA network. The highest number of alien species was noted in
Langebaan Lagoon, with the next most invaded MPAs being Betty’s Bay and
Amathole, each supporting seven species (Fig. 9.5). Notably, only two MPAs
remained uninvaded (Sixteen Mile Beach and Helderberg). This absence of alien
Fig. 9.5 The number of alien species recorded in each of the surveyed MPAs along the
South African coast
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baseline surveys of the intertidal and shallow sub-tidal zones were undertaken for
19 of the 23 MPAs by Brooker (2016). In total, 22 alien species from eight phyla were
recorded across the MPA network. The highest number of alien species was noted in
Langebaan Lagoon, with the next most invaded MPAs being Betty’s Bay and
Amathole, each supporting seven species (Fig. 9.5). Notably, only two MPAs
remained uninvaded (Sixteen Mile Beach and Helderberg). This absence of alien
Fig. 9.5 The number of alien species recorded in each of the surveyed MPAs along the
South African coast
9 Coastal Invasions: The South African Context
239