Latest news with #MPADay
See - Sada Elbalad
03-08-2025
- Politics
- See - Sada Elbalad
Global Events Mark Marine Protected Areas Day 2025
Ahmed Emam Countries worldwide observed "Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Day" on August 1, 2025, with a coordinated series of events aimed at highlighting the importance of marine conservation, according to TV BRICS. Now in its fifth year, the initiative is supported by more than 90 partner organisations, with over 80 activities scheduled across 25 countries. South Africa, where MPA Day originated, is hosting a significant share of the events. Activities range from beach clean-ups, guided coastal walks, and marine biodiversity tours to research and monitoring projects, art exhibitions, documentary screenings, and virtual sessions. Many events are designed to give participants direct interaction with marine environments while promoting awareness of ocean health. Youth engagement is a key focus for 2025, with hands-on workshops and educational programs aimed at fostering a deeper connection between young people and the ocean. Scientists and conservationists are also taking part, conducting field research and encouraging public involvement in citizen science projects. Organisers say the day not only celebrates the biodiversity of marine protected areas but also calls attention to the urgent need for their preservation amid global environmental challenges. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Arts & Culture Lebanese Media: Fayrouz Collapses after Death of Ziad Rahbani Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results
The Citizen
01-08-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Free digital maps for ocean lovers
South Africans will celebrate the fifth annual Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Day with an innovative and free new tool digital MPA maps this this Friday. These easy-to-read maps have been released to help anglers and the public navigate MPAs. On the mid-South Coast in particular, Aliwal Shoal is particularly well-known. Dr Bruce Mann and Dr Ryan Daly, both of whom work at the Oceanographic Research Institute in Durban, breathed life into this concept. 'Despite recent interest in our MPAs, particularly as we build up to the celebration of MPA Day, many anglers, divers, skippers and the general public are still unsure of the MPAs exact locations and the permitted activities within them,' said Mann. Daly explained that although MPA boundaries and regulations are published in the government gazette, these documents are often hard to access and comprehend. 'In our effort to improve understanding, we created simple maps of all South Africa's coastal MPAs, which are free for anyone to access online,' said Daly. The maps also show the boundaries and zoning of each MPA using a colour-coded 'traffic light' system. Red means no-fishing restricted zones, orange means pelagic game fishing zones (no bottom fishing), yellow means catch-and-release zones and green means control zones allowing most recreational activities. Dr Judy Mann, founder of MPA Day and the executive of Strategic Projects at The Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, said that these maps will not only serve to increase awareness about the location and zonation of MPAs, but also to help people understand the regulations, proving beneficial for both anglers and conservation authorities. 'After all, the first step to compliance is knowledge, and these maps will help both resource users and conservation staff.' To access and download these maps, visit or The MPA Day team encourages one and all to celebrate this day on August 1 through shared stories, talks, online and ocean-based activities. MPA Day initially began in South Africa and is now celebrated worldwide, showcasing its benefits not just for ocean health and marine life, but humans too. This includes protecting breeding and nursery areas to ensure fishery sustainability, increased climate resilience, job creation and tourism and vital research and education. To find out more about MPA Day events and activities near you, visit @MPASouthAfrica on Facebook. HAVE YOUR SAY Like the South Coast Herald's Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
The Citizen
01-08-2025
- General
- The Citizen
BLOGGING THE VIEW: 5 reasons to celebrate marine protected areas this MPA Day
Friday, 1 August marks the 5th annual Marine Protected Area (MPA) Day – a day to honour our 'nature reserves of the sea'. Started in South Africa, MPA Day has grown rapidly, now celebrated across the globe through clean-ups, seaside activities, workshops, and online events. This year's MPA Day theme, Making Connections, focuses on strengthening relationships between people and the ocean. It highlights how the health of the ocean directly impacts our lives, from the air we breathe and the seafood we eat, to livelihoods and emotional well-being. 5 reasons MPAs matter 1. Protection of marine biodiversity: South Africa boasts 42 MPAs covering 5.4% of its exclusive economic zone. These areas protect coral reefs, kelp forests, sandy and rocky shores, estuaries, and deep-sea canyons – all essential habitats for countless marine species. 2. Home to endemic species: Our waters are home to 2 000 fish species, including 261 endemic fish, and an impressive 10% of the world's coral species. MPAs help preserve these unique lifeforms and the ecosystems they depend on. 3. Vital for climate resilience: Healthy marine ecosystems play a key role in carbon storage and climate change adaptation. MPAs act as buffers against climate shocks by preserving ecosystems that regulate temperature, carbon, and biodiversity. 4. Support for fisheries and food security: Older, larger female fish living undisturbed in MPAs produce more and healthier offspring, supporting sustainable fisheries and ensuring long-term food security. 5. Economic and emotional value: Beyond biodiversity, MPAs contribute to tourism, education, recreation, and even emotional well-being. They provide spaces for research and offer powerful experiences that deepen our connection to nature. Celebrate MPA Day Globally, only 8.2% of the ocean is protected, and less than 3% is under strict protection. In 2022, nearly 200 countries committed to the 30×30 global target – conserving 30% of the world's ocean and land areas by 2030. This commitment is essential to ensuring a sustainable and resilient future. Be part of the change by participating in MPA Day events this year, either at these local events or any of the online events that can be found at Thonga Trails and Adventure Mania Marine Beach Venue: Sodwana Bay, KZN Date: 1 August 2025 Time: 6am to 6pm Thonga Trails and Adventure Mania invites you to spend the day celebrating, learning, and giving back on the beaches of Sodwana Bay, one of South Africa's most cherished marine zones. Starting with a Strava MPA run, the day includes a sea school, beach clean-up, Thonga Volley Cup Challenge, concluding with prize-giving and live music. Discover the rocky shores of uThukela MPA Venue: uThukela MPA, KwaZulu-Natal Date: 1 August 2025 Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife welcomes you to a unique virtual journey of the uThukela MPA. This tour will showcase the rocky shores of the uThukela MPA, comparing them with other regions that have been explored in past tours. By highlighting these contrasts, we celebrate the uniqueness of KZN's marine life and geology. Join all the MPA Day 2025 action by visiting for updated events and activities. Join in the discussions around MPAs on Instagram @marineprotectedareassa, Facebook @MPASouthAfrica or LinkedIn MPA DAY: Overview | LinkedIn. Check out the MPA Day videos YouTube. Don't have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here: HAVE YOUR SAY Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. For news straight to your phone invite us: WhatsApp – 060 784 2695 Instagram – zululand_observer
The Citizen
21-06-2025
- Science
- The Citizen
Catch and release helps conserve fish, 20-year study finds
Marine life is rapidly declining, and urgent action is needed to protect it – one such action being the establishment of marine protected areas (MPAs). According to the Zululand Observer, in the build-up to MPA Day on August 1, South African scientist Dr Bruce Mann highlights the value of these 'nature reserves of the sea'. 'MPAs provide many benefits for both ocean health and human activities,' said Mann, a research associate at the Oceanographic Research Institute in Durban. 'One benefit is that they enable fish stocks to increase in abundance and biomass and, over time, these spill over into adjacent fished areas, improving catches and ensuring fisheries' sustainability.' One thing that stands out to Mann is that these conservation areas give a clear view of what nature looks like without human impact. 'This forms a useful 'control', which provides a solid foundation for our research into the natural world and the conservation techniques needed. By looking after these special places, we can make a real difference.' He shared three examples of MPAs: A Scotsman tagged in the Pondoland Marine Protected Area (Eastern Cape); a giant kingfish tracked from southern Mozambique to the Eastern Cape; and catch and release angling at iSimangaliso Wetland Park in KZN. A 20-year study in the iSimangaliso MPA tested whether catch and release can help conserve shore angling species. The study tagged fish caught by volunteer anglers in zoned areas within the MPA. The findings showed that when best-practice handling was used, catch and release angling had minimal impact on most species, though more sensitive species still showed higher post-release mortality, especially under increased angling pressure. The study concluded that while catch and release is not suitable in strict no-take zones, it offers real conservation value as a buffer around MPAs or in specially zoned areas. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
