Conservation of Marine Biodiversity in South Africa

Summary Marine Biodiversity Status Report for South Africa At the end of the 20th Century Edited by B.D. Durham & J.C. Pauw Published by: National Research Foundation Tel: +2712 481 4000 PO Box 2600 Fax: +2712 349 1179 Pretoria Email: [email protected] 0001 South Africa ISBN 1-86868-033-9 March 2000 Reference example: Griffiths, C.L., McQuaid, C.D., Harris, J.M. & Dye, A.H. (2000). Functional ecosystems: Rocky shores. In: Summary Marine Biodiversity Status Report for South Africa. Durham, B.D. & Pauw, J.C. (eds). National Research Foundation, Pretoria. Cover Page photographs: B.D.Durham, C.L. Griffiths, NRF Preface In striving to maintain research programmes in South Africa that are nationally topical and focused, the National Research Foundation (NRF) and one of its predecessors, the Foundation for Research Development (FRD), have developed this Summary Marine Biodiversity Status Report in collaboration with the South African Network for Coastal and Oceanic Research (SANCOR). The report, influenced by the principles of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the White Paper on Biological Diversity, has already guided the review of priorities in the Marine Biodiversity and Conservation Thrust. While it was principally designed to guide the development of the NRF's research agenda, this report gives a snapshot of the status of marine biodiversity in South Africa at the end of the 20th century, and will undoubtedly prove useful to national and provincial organisations that are responsible for and/or manage South Africa’s marine natural resources. This document will be also be available on the NRF Website (www.nrf.ac.za), and linked to the 1999 National State of the Environment Report. Khotso Mokhele President: National Research Foundation Marine Biodiversity Status Report i Introduction Biodiversity, the spectacular spectrum of life we observe on this earth, includes variability within species (genetic), between species, at the community and ecosystem levels, as well as the processes that underlie ecosystem functioning. Biodiversity thus refers to the environmental life-support systems and natural resources on which we, as humans, depend. A large portion of this biological diversity is found in the oceans. Reliance by growing human populations on the marine environment for primary needs (such as food) has resulted in threats to this marine biodiversity. These threats can be attributed primarily to the unsustainable use of many marine resources and habitat destruction. In South Africa, marine systems are showing signs of severe over- exploitation (e.g. the reef line-fishery is in crisis) and degradation (e.g. due to development on estuaries, pollution), and these are no doubt having significant impacts on biodiversity through removal of key species and disturbance of ecological processes. This in turn has social and economic impacts since it affects productivity and stability of fisheries, ecotourism opportunities and other industrial development. Global recognition of these problems and the fundamental link between biodiversity conservation and sustainable development is embodied in the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (1993) to which South Africa is a signatory. An essential step in ensuring marine biodiversity conservation in South Africa is the assessment of its current status, and regular updates thereafter so that problem areas are identified and addressed. This report provides an evaluation of the current knowledge on marine biodiversity in South Africa. It identifies the large data gaps that exist, and highlights future priority actions and research requirements. In doing so it also gives insight into the areas where human capacity and expertise need to be developed. It provides an important benchmark for future status assessments, but is in itself a valuable reference document since it covers the range of marine biodiversity levels (genetic, species, ecosystems) as well as examining current threats and issues. It is particularly timely and relevant given the implementation of the new Marine Living Resources Act (1998), which has set new ground rules for utilization of marine living resources in South Africa. Conservation of biodiversity must be a strong partner to equity and new access rights, if long-term sustainability and stability in the fisheries are to be attained. This report reflects the strong commitment of the marine science community of South Africa to contribute to marine biodiversity conservation. A large number of specialist scientists and managers were involved in preparing the various sections: the contents were derived by capturing expert inputs from teams of specialists who have direct knowledge of the different scientific fields and ecosystems. Therefore, this report contains a unique summary of the current marine biodiversity knowledge across the full range of ecosystems and disciplines in the South African marine environment. On behalf of SANCOR, I congratulate the NRF in initiating and steering this marine biodiversity assessment. I further wish to confirm the willingness of the marine science community to contribute to the acquisition of the information, and the development of the capacity, required for conservation of biodiversity, so that lasting benefits are realized from the sustainable use of the marine living resources of South Africa. Jean Harris Chair: SANCOR Steering Committee Marine Biodiversity Status Report ii Development of the Marine Biodiversity Status Report A review of priorities for marine biodiversity research in South Africa was first proposed at a Foundation for Research Development (FRD, now National Research Foundation) / the National Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism / SANCOR Programme Advisory Committee held in Port Elizabeth in December 1996. This committee assessed the annual progress of each of the marine Thrusts, and advised on strategic and budgetary matters. Given the budgetary constraints, it was considered that the Marine Biodiversity and Conservation Thrust’s objectives were too broad, allowing research to be funded that – despite having intrinsic merit – was not nationally important in terms of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the then Green Paper on Biological Diversity. The FRD therefore undertook to review the priorities of the Marine Biodiversity and Conservation Thrust, through the development of a ‘Summary Marine Biodiversity Status Report’. This report would summarize available information and not be an exhaustive review nor include new research. This was primarily because the principal purpose of the report was to broadly guide the FRD’s role as a national capacity-building agency. A planning meeting was arranged in Cape Town and included representatives from the coastal provincial conservation bodies, the Chief Directorate of Sea Fisheries (now Marine and Coastal Management), the National Parks Board (now South African National Parks), SANCOR, and various academics. Attendees were asked to present position papers indicating their organization’s view of and role in effecting the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Green Paper on Biological Diversity. It was immediately recognized that the biodiversity report would necessarily include far more than a taxon-based status list. The final plan included reviews of the various ecosystems, the conservation and use of resources, the implications of genetics and biochemical research, and the scope and efficacy of national policies. In addition, the above sections were subdivided to review the status of the knowledge, expertise, and capacity available – and the gaps therein - in South Africa. The structure, time-frames and roleplayers were identified, and the FRD then undertook to approach coordinators to develop the various sections of the draft report. Following the drafting of the report sections, a workshop was held - attended primarily by the coordinators of the various sections – to review and structure the final report. Thereafter independent referees reviewed each section, and following modification, the final editing was effected. Owing to various time constraints and the number of people involved, delays have inevitably crept into the final date. Nevertheless, and immediately following the review workshop (November 1997), the report has already influenced the Marine Biodiversity and Conservation Thrust description, which now reflect priorities that are aligned with the CBD and the White Paper on Biological Diversity. This final document was thus developed through multiple contributions in the forms of planning, drafting, reviewing, and general editorial assistance. All contributers are gratefully acknowledged, and are listed on the following page. Marine Biodiversity Status Report iii Acknowledgements Planning meeting (27 May 1997): M. Du Plessis (University of Cape Town) - chairman C. Attwood (Sea Fisheries Research Institute) L. Johnstone (Foundation for Research Development) J. Bolton (University of Cape Town) D. Keats (University of the Western Cape) G. Branch (University of Cape Town) R. Leslie (Sea Fisheries Research Institute) B. Durham (Foundation for Research Development) J. Pauw (Foundation for Research Development) J. Feely (E. Cape Provincial Administration) I. Russel (National Parks Board) S. Gabula (E. Cape Provincial Administration) R. Taylor (Natal Parks Board) J. Harris (Natal Parks Board) A. Williams (Cape Nature Conservation) D. Impson (W. Cape Provincial Administration) Review Workshop (26 November 1997): M. Du Plessis (University

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