marine protected areaslatest news & developments
Environment minister Dion George says oceans could provide a R166 billion boost and 600 000 jobs. (Photo: Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

South Africa’s oceans: “Blue gold” for jobs and growth by 2035

Environment minister Dion George says oceans could provide a R166 billion boost and 600 000 jobs

  • Sheree Bega
2 min read
Mad dash: Most of the sudden influx of prospecting applications are for lithium, but include dozens of other critical minerals. Pictured here is the SA Lithium Mine near Umzumbe. Photo: Supplied

Mining red flags along KwaZulu-Natal’s South Coast

Thirteen prospecting applications have been submitted to the department of minerals and petroleum resources by seven companies since 2023

  • Eyaaz
11 min read
The government has rolled out a five-year roadmap to safeguard South Africa’s 3 592km coastline while unlocking its potential for equitable prosperity, climate resilience and ecological health.

State unveils five-year plan to protect 3 592km of coastline

The focus of the new coastal plan is on climate resilience, ecosystem restoration and equitable prosperity

  • Sheree Bega
5 min read
Gentle giants: Manta rays, which can reach a span of seven to eight metres, are found in warm waters. Reef mantas are found along coastlines and oceanic mantas in open waters

Scientists reveal the mysteries of South Africa’s ‘wings of the sea’

The graceful manta rays gliding along the coastline are little known and humans have caused a significant a decline in their numbers

  • Sheree Bega
8 min read
African penguins, endemic to Southern Africa, are one of the most threatened seabird species globally and they face the risk of extinction in the wild by 2035. Populations have shrunk by 90% in the past 70 years, dwindling to about 8 500 breeding pairs today.

Africa’s only penguin moves closer to extinction

The seabirds were recently moved to critically endangered status, meaning drastic action has to be taken to save them from being wiped out

  • Sheree Bega
6 min read