Although 2020 is almost over the need for ocean protection remains central. Over-fishing, damaging industrial activities such as sea-bed mining, habitat destruction, climate change and pollution isn’t letting up.

 

All the more reason to push hard and accelerate the need for 10% ocean protection. 

We have to make a shift from what needs to be done to how it can be done.

 

Commit yourself to meaningful action by calling on our decision-makers to protect South Africa’s oceans and announce 10% ocean protection by signing this petition.

 

South Africa needs to join the global community to achieve the target it signed up for, in achieving its stated commitment to 10% before 2020 ends. It was a commitment publicly made by the South African government, and a commitment it is lagging in.

On the 24th of May 2018, 20 new and expanded Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) were announced by South Africa’s cabinet, and in October 2018 were officially gazetted, increasing protection from 0.4% to 5%. 

 

The increase from 5% to 10% needs to happen with urgency because we are far from scientifically recommended global target of 30% ocean protection by 2030. Call on our decision-makers, particularly Minister Creecy of the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, to protect South Africa’s oceans and announce 10% ocean protection without further delay.