Knowledge exchange to support South Africa Marine Protected Area implementation and management

The purpose of the project is to collaborate with South African research organisations involved with the designation and management of marine protected areas as the government increases it Marine Protected Area (MPA) coverage in line with international commitments and support its voluntary commitment to introduce marine spatial planning in South African water. Recent engagements between South Africa and the UK has identified a desire to collaborate with world leading UK research organisations. This project will specifically focus on a priority identified by South African stakeholders, to further the capability in seabed mapping in support of marine management. This project will showcase UK expertise in data poor environments to produce spatial maps to inform local biodiversity management within South Africa’s growing network of MPAs. Understanding the spatial distribution of different benthic species and habitats is important for sustainable resource management, development of new economic opportunities, safeguarding ocean health and in the quantification of blue carbon and capital.