Browns Bank Corals Marine Protected Area

Browns Bank Corals Marine Protected Area
Browns Bank Corals MPA location
Location	Western slopes of the Agulhas Bank, South Africa
Coordinates	36°00′S 19°40′E
Area	399 km^2 (154 sq mi)
Established	2019
Browns Bank Corals Marine Protected Area (Africa)

The Browns Bank Corals Marine Protected Area is an offshore conservation region in the exclusive economic zone of South Africa.^[1]

History

The Browns Bank Corals Marine Protected Area was established in 2019.

Purpose

See also: Marine protected areas of South Africa and Marine protected area

A marine protected area is defined by the IUCN as "A clearly defined geographical space, recognised, dedicated and managed, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long-term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values".^[2]

The Browns Bank Corals Marine Protected Area is specifically intended to protect cold-water corals and their ecosystems, along with the biodiversity and ecological processes associated with these ecosystems.^[3] It is a known spawning ground for hake fishery.^[4] Cold-water corals provide habitat for hake and other fish to reproduce.^[5]

Extent

An offshore marine protected area (MPA) on the western edge of the Agulhas Bank, about 70 nautical miles south of Cape Agulhas in the 250 m to 400 m depth range. The MPA includes the water column, sea bed, and subsoil within the boundaries. The total sea area protected is about 300 km² (120 sq mi).^[4][3] The entire MPA is a controlled area.^[6]

Boundaries

The MPA comprises three separate areas:^[3]

Browns Bank Corals 1 (north):

• Northern boundary: 35°33′S 19°11′E to 35°38.460′S 19°20′E
• Eastern boundary: 35°38.460′S 19°20′E to 35°42.780′S 19°20′E
• Southern boundary: 35°42.780′S 19°20′E to 35°38′S 19°11′E
• Western boundary: 35°38′S 19°11′E to 35°33′S 19°11′E

Browns Bank Corals 2 (central):

• Eastern boundary: 35°58′S 19°35′E to 35°58′S 19°41′E
• Southern boundary: 35°58′S 19°41′E to 36°8′S 19°53′E
• Western boundary: 36°8′S 19°53′E to 36°8′S 19°46.50′E
• Northern boundary: 36°8′S 19°46.50′E to 35°58′S 19°35′E

Browns Bank Corals 3 (south):

• Northern boundary: 36°22′S 20°0′E to 36° 22′S 20°2′E
• Northeastern boundary: 36°22′S 20°2′E to 36°32′S 20°13′E
• Southern boundary: 36°32′S 20°13′E to 36°32′S 20°10′E
• Southwestern boundary: 36°32′S 20°10′E to 36°24′S 20°0′E
• Western boundary: 36°24′S 20°0′E to 36°22′S 20°0′E

Management

The management authorities manage the South African MPAs with funding from the South African government through the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA).^[2] The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is responsible for issuing permits, quotas and law enforcement.^[7]

Ecology

Marine bioregions of South Africa's exclusive economic zone (2004–2011): Browns Bank Corals Marine Protected Area is in the Atlantic offshore bioregion.

The MPA is in the cool temperate Atlantic offshore bioregion to the west of the continental shelf.^[8]

Three major habitats exist in the sea in this region, two of which are distinguished by the nature of the substrate. The substrate provides a base to which an organism can anchor itself. Some of these may have kelp forests, which reduce the effect of waves and provide food and shelter for some organisms. Sedimentary bottoms are a relatively unstable substrate and cannot anchor many of the benthic organisms. Finally, there is open water above the substrate and clear of the kelp forest. Mixed habitats of these are also frequently found.^[9]

Rocky reefs

There are rocky reefs and mixed rocky and sandy bottoms. For many marine organisms, the substrate is another type of marine organism, and it is common for several layers to co-exist.^[9]: Ch.2

The type of rock on the reef influences the range of possibilities for the local topography. Sandstone and other sedimentary rocks erosion depends on the direction of dip and strike and the steepness of the dip; they may produce reefs which are relatively flat to very high-profile and full of small crevices. These features may be at varying angles to the shoreline and wave fronts. There are fewer large holes, tunnels and crevices in sandstone reefs.

Marine species

In the water between the surface and the top of the benthic zone, there are living organisms on the food chain, starting with phytoplankton. In temperate seas, there are distinct seasonal cycles of phytoplankton growth based on the available nutrients and sunlight. Phytoplankton tend to restrict light penetrating to greater depths, so the photosynthetic zone tends to be shallower in areas of high productivity.^[9]: Ch.6 Zooplankton feed on the phytoplankton and are eaten by larger animals.

Diversity

Threats

See also

Marine protected areas of South Africa^[10][11]

• List of protected areas of South Africa – Areas protected for conservation in South Africa
• Marine protected areas of South Africa – Protected areas of coastline or ocean in the EEZ of South Africa

References

1. "MPA Declarations" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 September 2021.
2. "Marine Protected Areas". World Wildlife Fund. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
3. "R115. Draft Notice Declaring the Browns Bank Corals Marine Protected Area under Section 22A of the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003 (Act No. 57 of 2003)" (PDF). Regulation Gazette No. 10553. 608 (39646). Pretoria: Government Printer. 3 February 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 February 2017. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
4. "Browns Bank Corals MPA". www.marineprotectedareas.org.za. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
5. "BROWNS BANK CORALS MPA". Retrieved 18 March 2023.
6. "R117. Draft Regulations for the management of the Browns Bank Marine Protected Area" (PDF). Regulation Gazette No. 10553. 608 (39646). Pretoria: Government Printer. 3 February 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 February 2017. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
7. "Marine Protected Area". Retrieved 26 May 2018.
8. Sink, K.; Harris, J.; Lombard, A. (October 2004). Appendix 1. South African marine bioregions (PDF). South African National Spatial Biodiversity Assessment 2004: Technical Report Vol. 4 Marine Component DRAFT (Report). pp. 97–109.
9. Branch, G.M.; Branch, M.L. (1985). The Living Shores of Southern Africa (3rd impression ed.). Cape Town: C. Struik. ISBN 0-86977-115-9.
10. "MPA Declarations" (PDF). Regulation Gazette No. 42478. 647 (10177). Pretoria: Government Printer. 23 May 2019.
11. "Protected Areas Register". dffeportal.environment.gov.za. Retrieved 10 July 2022.