The coast of South Africa runs in a great arc of over 3000 kilometres from the Orange River on the west coast to Kosi Bay on the east coast. The west coast is influenced by the cold Benguela current and the east coast by the warm Agulhas current. These currents give rise to different communities of marine life along the west, south and east coast.

WEST COAST

This coast supports a rich fishing industry. Inshore there are large kelp forests and many limpets, mussels, perlemoen and rock lobsters. Large concentrations of seabirds breed on the offshore islands. Seals breed both on the islands and the mainland. Langebaan lagoon is the only national park and an important feeding ground for birds that migrate to the Northern Hemisphere to breed. Sanctuaries have been established to protect bird islands and rock lobsters.

SOUTH COAST

This section of the coast extends from the Cape Peninsula to East London, and experiences much pressure from land usage and tourism. The Cape Point nature reserve is of special interest for comparison of the west coast and south coast communities. Smaller protected areas occur in False Bay and at Betty's Bay where perlemoen are abundant. De Hoop nature reserve, north of Cape Agulhas, has a magnificent stretch of coastline with a combination of rocky shore and extensive dune fields. The Southern Right whales can be seen breeding in the sheltered bays. Trails go through the reserve which is also used as an education centre for school camps. Tsitsikamma coastal national park is a well-managed wild stretch of coast which boasts an underwater diving trail and the famous Otter Hiking Trail. Knysna lagoon is the only estuary given any protection.

EAST COAST

If one travels north from East London to Kosi Bay, the coast becomes more tropical and mangroves line the river banks. Dwesa, Hluleka and Mkambati nature reserves protect part of the beautiful and gentle coast of the Transkei. They provide a stark contrast to the heavily exploited neighbouring shores where the local population harvests the edible shellfish and also the seaweed Gelidium which is used commercially as a source of agar. In KwaZulu/Natal, a large area of northern Zululand from Lake St Lucia to Ponto da Ouro is set aside for conservation. This area contains the only coral reefs in the country. Access to these beaches is strictly controlled as they are the breeding grounds of the loggerhead and leatherback turtles which come ashore in early summer to lay their eggs.

Sharks are plentiful on the east coast of KwaZulu/Natal and bathing beaches are protected by shark nets. These have been so effective in catching sharks that there is now concern over the removal of so many of the top predators of the seas. Shark nets also catch dolphins, skates, rays and turtles and this is another source of concern.

WHY ARE MARINE RESERVES NECESSARY?

Marine reserves protect a selection of ecosystems from:

* Human pressure and urban development.

* Pollution which may be caused by sewage, industrial effluent, thermal effluent from power stations, oil pollution from ships, plastic and rubbish.

* Recreational activities, e.g. boating, fishing, bait collecting and harvesting for the pot.

* Commercial ventures, e.g. fishing and harvesting rock lobsters, perlemoen, kelp and other seaweeds - overfishing will disturb the delicate balance of nature.

* Mining ventures, especially diamond mining and the mining of sand dunes for heavy metals.

* The use of beach vehicles which damage sand dunes, compact the sand and destroy the sand-dwelling plants and animals.

FURTHER READING

THE COAST OF SOUTHERN AFRICA. J Kench. Struik, 1984.

THE NATIONAL PARKS OF SOUTH AFRICA. A. Bannister and R. Gordon. Struik, Cape Town, 1983.

LIVING SHORES OF SOUTHERN AFRICA. G. and M. Branch. Struik, 1984.

EXPLORE THE SEASHORE OF SOUTH AFRICA. M. Branch. Struik, Cape Town,1987.

A GUIDE TO THE COAST AND NATURE RESERVES OF THE TRANSKEI. Duncan Butchart. The Wildlife Society, Linden and Durban, 1989.

MARINE CONSERVATION: DO'S AND DON'TS. Department of Environment Affairs and Tourism; and the Dept. Environment and Cultural Affairs (previously Cape Nature Conservation).

PARADISE UNDER PRESSURE. A. Mountain. Southern Books, Johannesburg, 1990.

OCEANS OF LIFE OFF SOUTHERN AFRICA. A. Payne and R. Crawford (eds). Vlaeberg, Cape Town, 1989.

A FIELD GUIDE TO THE EASTERN CAPE COAST. R. Lubke, F. Gess and M. Bruton (eds). Wildlife Society, Grahamstown, 1988.

All books available from Russel Friedman Books, PO Box 73, Halfway House, 1685. Tel. 011-7022300/1.

USEFUL ADDRESSES

Natal Parks Board. PO Box 662, Pietermaritzburg 3200. Tel. 0331-471961.

National Parks Board. PO Box 787, Pretoria 0001. Tel. 012-3439770.

Dept. Environment and Cultural Affairs (previously Cape Nature Conservation). Private Bag X9086, Cape Town 8000. Tel. 021-483 4227.

KwaZulu Dept. Nature Conservation. Private Bag X98, Ulundi 3838. Tel. 0358-700552.