Protecting our Shores for Future Generations | Ocean Awareness in South Africa

March 15, 2025

South Africa has some of the planet’s most breathtaking coastlines, stretching over 2,800 kilometers from cold Atlantic in the west to warm Indian Ocean in the east. They are home to an extraordinary array of wildlife, ranging from dignified whales to fragile coral reefs, and are vital to our tourism and fishing industries. All is not well, however, with our oceans, and human activity is destroying these environments, so ocean awareness has never been more important.

Protecting our Shores for Future Generations | Ocean Awareness in South Africa. Contemporary Nature Photographer in South Africa | Ramon Fritz

The Call to Protect our Oceans

Discover why coastal awareness is crucial, how litter and human activity impact the marine environment, and some simple steps that everyone can take towards marine conservation.

By adopting a “leave nothing, take nothing” approach, we can strive to maintain South Africa’s oceans and beaches clean for future generations.

🌊 Why Coastal Awareness Matters

Our oceans are delicate, interconnected systems. Every grain of sand, every crashing wave, and every sea creature is adding to biodiversity. Too often, pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change disrupt this balance and at an alarming rate. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), South Africa’s coastline is home to over 13,000 marine species, most of which occur nowhere else on earth. However, plastic pollution, insufficient fishing controls and coastal development endanger these endemic species at a growing rate.

The impact of litter on marine life, particularly plastic waste, is one of the biggest threats to the health of our oceans. Approximately 8 million tons of plastic end up in our oceans annually, with devastating effects. Seabirds mistake plastic for food, leading to poisoning and starvation. Seals, turtles and dolphins get entangled in fishing nets and plastic waste often dying as a result. Microplastics find their way into the food chain, affecting not just marine animals but coastal creatures and humans consuming seafood. So much so that it has been scientifically proven that microplastics are now being found present in human brains.

Let’s take Cape fur seals, for example. These adorable creatures are ubiquitous along our beaches, but most of them perish from getting entangled in discarded fishing lines and plastic bags. Unless something is done, most of these creatures will suffer slow and painful deaths.

🌿 The Role of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

One of the key solutions to conservation in the ocean and our coastal areas is the establishment of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). There are 42 MPAs in South Africa, which protect approximately 5% of its oceanic coverage, providing a sanctuary for marine life.

MPAs help to:

Rehabilitate depleted fish stocks by creating secure breeding areas.
To mitigate human impact on fragile systems both in the ocean and on the coastline.
To boost eco-tourism, to ensure our oceans and coastlines remain a sustainable attraction.

Some of the most well-known MPAs include Table Mountain National Park MPA, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, and De Hoop MPA. If you happen to go to these areas, it is extremely important to be compliant with rules—do not fish where you should not, do not touch wildlife and do not collect shells and stones. Always read the bylaws as it is rare that dogs are allowed into these areas for good reason.

🐕 The Hidden Impact of Domestic Animals on Coastal Ecosystems

We all love taking our dogs to the beach, but not many of us realise the impact domestic pets can have on native wildlife. Certain sea birds, like the African Black Oystercatcher, lay their eggs directly on the sand. A stray or off-leash dog can readily destroy these eggs or repel the adults, leaving chicks vulnerable to predators.

To prevent causing damage:

Keep dogs on leads in delicate ecosystems.
Avoid beaches with protected nesting areas for marine birds.
Inform other pet owners about marine bird protection.

🫵 How You Can Help: Small Changes, Big Impact

Embracing the “leave nothing, take nothing” ethos is a simple yet effective method of building ocean awareness.

Here’s how you can make a difference:

Reduce Plastic Waste — Take a refillable water bottle, shopping bag, and coffee cup. Refuse single-use items like straws, cutlery, and takeout containers. Join a beach clean-up with organizations like Helderberg Ocean Awareness Movement.
Respect Marine Life — Never touch or relocate marine animals from their environment. Observe seals, dolphins, and whales from afar with dignity. Do not feed wildlife—it disrupts their natural behavior.
Practice Responsible Tourism — Choose environmentally friendly accommodation that focuses on sustainable tourism. Support marine conservation enterprises. Choose snorkelling, diving, or boat tour operators that respect marine life.

The Future of Ocean Awareness in South Africa

As the battle for the environment rages on, there is hope. Government initiatives like the Good Green Deeds campaign encourage eco-friendly practices, and community groups continue to mobilise communities. The more we embrace coastal awareness, the greater impact we can have.

A Shared Responsibility

Our oceans are our shared heritage, full of life and wonder. Whether you’re a resident or a tourist, you can be part of the solution. By adopting a leave nothing, take nothing approach, reducing waste, and being respectful of marine life, we can all help protect South Africa’s stunning coastlines. Let’s make ocean awareness a way of life, not a catchphrase. Get Involved! Want to make a difference? Join a marine conservation society, take part in a beach clean-up, or simply raise awareness. Every little helps.

To learn more about how you can make a difference, see the Helderberg Ocean Awareness Movement and other local environmental groups.

Help Me Save our Coastlines through Education

We all know our oceans are in trouble due to various external factors created by man. But not only our oceans, it also impacts our coastlines with the multitude of species that rely on each for survival. I would like to explore that relationship so that I can educate and inspire others. And I will be doing this through coastal walks as a Marine Guide.

Help me gain my certification

👇

Saving our Coasts

FAQs

Why are my dogs not allowed on the beach when people litter everywhere?

A common misconception is that dogs are not allowed in protected areas due to their waste and often compared to the litter created by the public. Firstly, it is not a competition — while that is one issue as owners do not pick up after their pets, there are other issues. Conservancies (protected areas) are natural environments and we would like to keep it that way. Birds and other fauna, lizards, mice and fish may eat their faeces and become ill and die. But it’s also a question of keeping your pets away from other fauna due to environmental disruption for e.g. nesting birds like the African Oyster Catcher who lay their eggs in the sand. These birds return to the same area year after year and if disrupted, will eventually disappear. Dogs tend to attack seals when seals could be already sick and then transmit rabies if teh dog is bitten. A small percentage of area is designated as marine protected area and all we ask is to keep your pets out of protected areas — it really is a small ask and is the law. If you break the law, don’t complain about lawlessness in the country — be the example.