MPA Forum Secretariat Projects

The MPA Forum Secretariat implements and completes projects that are identified at the annual MPA Forum each year.
Projects identified at the 2015 MPA Forum for implementation in 2016 was to;

    1. Improve communication between MPAs
      To complete this project WWF identified that a website featuring SA MPAs with a quarterly newsletter would be the ideal platform through which all MPAs can communicate and view news and relevant marine information, thereby improving communication in the MPA sector by providing access to the MPA Forum website. Seed funding for this project was provided by Department of Environmental Affairs Oceans and Coast (DEA O&C).
    2. Provide MPA Management Training to SA MPA Staff
      WWF SA developed the MPA managers training course. Each year the training for the one week Introductory Course in MPA Management funded by DEA O&C, accredited by NMMU as a short learning course and organized by the MPA secretariat, is presented to about 20 persons from the MPA sector. The course was presented in August 2016 at Silaka Nature Reserve in the Eastern Cape and 22 students attended the training.
    3. Presenting a Human Dimension workshop to the MPA Sector
      The MPA Forum Secretariat planned and, with UCT EEU, presented a very well received workshop on the implementation of the Human Dimensions aspect into protected areas management to a cross section of MPA sector representatives from SANParks, City of Cape Town, SANBI, WWF, Government and CapeNature in January 2016.
    4. Presenting the Annual MPA Forum Event
      Planning and presenting the annual MPA Forum Event, including all logistics and securing of presenters to ensure a successful event. This process is on-going and the Forum event will take place on the 25th, 26th and 27th October 2016.
    5. Identifying SA MPA objectives and establishing indicators for all SA MPAs
      WWF SA made a successful submission to the Charl van der Merwe Trust to fund a project that the MPA Forum Secretariat will manage to identify and establish the objectives for all SA’s coastal MPA’s and work towards identifying the indicators that can assist MPA’s in reaching these stated objectives. A Terms of Reference will be compiled and the option of partnering with DEA will be investigated to ensure the project’s successful implementation.