'Marine Protected Areas Are Good for Nature, But They're Also Good for People': SA Researcher
'Marine Protected Areas Are Good for Nature, But They're Also Good for People': SA Researcher
Fish found outside marine protected areas are much bigger and more abundant*, benefiting local fishermen, Judy Mann-Lang, founder of Marine Protected Areas Day, explained to Sputnik Africa.
* Protected zones act like nurseries—fish grow large inside, then spill over into surrounding waters.
More Than Just Conservation
Marine Protected Areas Day isn't just about celebrating nature—it's about bridging the gap between people and the ocean. Mann-Lang believes that conservation only works when people feel personally connected to it, and that's exactly what the day aims to achieve.
"From a climate change point of view, they're amazing classrooms, they're places for our spirits, they're incredibly important for ecotourism," she added.
Growing Movement Across Africa: The researcher noted that marine protected areas are expanding across the continent
Eastern and Southern Africa already have numerous protected areas, with countries like South Africa, Tanzania and Kenya leading the way—some of which are "managed by local communities."
West Africa is catching up, with some of the "newest marine protected areas" now emerging along its coast.
Coordination is being strengthened through various regional networks that help manage these areas collectively.
Looking ahead"I'm hoping that next year Africa will have a much stronger presence for Marine Protected Areas Day and we'll have activities on both the West Coast and the East Coast of our incredible continent," Mann-Lang concluded.
Watch the video to learn more about importance of local community involvement
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