Dwesa Cwebe

Spanning coastal forests, rivers, open grassland and a diverse coastline the Dwesa Nature Reserve comprises 3500ha of protected areas. Situated in the central Wild Coast, Dwesa Nature Reserve is bordered by the Mbashe River and Indian Ocean on one side, and grasslands of the former Transkei on the other. The primary purpose of the Dwesa Nature Reserve is to conserve the unique biodiversity of the coastal forests, the southern sourveld grassland type and the Marine Protected Area. It provides a critical habitat for the survival of a number of collapsed fish stocks. The Dwesa Cwebe MPA has Control Zones (No take) and open areas that have recently been opened to allow local fisherman access to fish, provided they have valid legal permits.

This MPA provides protection for marine ecosystems and close inshore fish species that would otherwise be exploited.

Managed by:
ECPTA

MPA established date:
1991

Length of coastline protected:
14 km

Area of ocean protected:
193 km²

Objectives:

To contribute to a national and global representative system of marine protected areas, by providing protection for species, habitats and ecosystem processes in a biodiversity hotspot;
To facilitate fisheries management by protecting spawning stock, allowing stock recovery, enhancing stock abundance in adjacent areas, in particular line fish and abalone stocks ;
To protect the nursery function of the Mbashe estuary and the recruitment of estuarine dependent fish into marine fisheries;
For the protection of fauna and flora or a particular species of fauna or flora and the physical features on which they depend; and
Control other activities in the Marine Protected Area to reduce the risks of habitat degradation.

Managed by:
ECPTA

Contact details for MPA office:
Manager : Mr Mbuyiselo Gxashi
Phone: 087 286 6534/ 0734967954
Email: Mbuyiselo.Gxashi@ecpta.co.za

Nature Conservator: Mr. L.M. Ngewu MPA
Phone: 0769744750
Email: Lwazi. Ngewu@ecpta.co.za

Address:
PO.BOX 172, Willowvale , 5040
Phone no: 087 286 6537
Fax: 047 499 7901087 286 6537

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