How to celebrate MPA Day: Join in these exciting activities on 1 and 3 August

Marine Protected Areas are for everyone to enjoy and learn from for generations to come! Together with like-minded ocean-loving organisations, we're sharing our passion this MPA Day by bringing you a bunch of fun, informative and exciting activities to join in on. Rock pooling, surfing, snorkelling, beach cleanups, seminars, and more - there's a way for everyone to enjoy our precious False Bay Hope Spot and more this MPA Day!

Rocky Shore Explore

On Saturday 3 August, the Two Oceans Aquarium is taking to Dalebrook for a fun and educational rock pooling adventure to celebrate Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Day. Join the team to explore the diversity of the Table Mountain National Park MPA, with the chance to see sea stars, sea anemones, chitons, various nudibranchs, and maybe even an octopus.

“It is a such a privilege to have so much ocean life right on our doorstep. A rocky shore explore is the perfect way to discover the amazing animals that call the Table Mountain MPA home. The varied and unique species indicate just how important MPAs are for the health of our ocean,” said Helen Lockhart, Two Oceans Aquarium Conservation and Sustainability Manager.

This family-focused event promises a fun morning of ocean adventures with expert teams from the Two Oceans Aquarium. Don’t forget your camera or cell phone, so you can join us in identifying as many of Dalebrook's iconic species as you can. In addition, some interactive educational activities with the Two Oceans Aquarium’s Ocean Campus team will be on offer for adults and kids alike.

• When: Saturday, 3 August 2024, from 09h30 to 11h30
• Where: Dalebrook Tidal Pool, St James/Kalk Bay
• Wear: Non-slip shoes and waterproof or quick-drying clothing
• Cost: None!
• Bring: Hat, sunscreen, water in a reusable bottle, and camera/cell phone

CapeRADD Snorkelling

Another well-known ocean conservation and tourism organisation, Cape Radd, will be offering an incredible MPA Day opportunity. They have opened up two snorkelling slots, 10h00 and 12h00, for 10 people each on Saturday 3 August 2024. This is offered as a free activity, with a reduced price for the rental of any snorkelling gear. Bookings are essential: Those interested can email info@caperadd.com to reserve their spot. Availability is on a first-come, first-served basis, so don’t delay!

Surf Lesson Special & Beach Cleanup

Surf Emporium in Muizenberg will be offering a special price for an MPA Day surf lesson on Saturday 3 August 2024. You will experience a 1.5 hour surf lesson with surf equipment and use of the Surf School facilities included. Fitting for equipment will begin at 12h30 for your lesson to begin at 13h00. If you are interested book your slot by clicking this link. Space is limited, so don’t miss out and book now!

Plus, join the Two Oceans Aquarium and Surf Emporium for a quick beach cleanup and MPA Day talk before the surf lessons, starting at 11:30am. All are welcome!

Taking MPA Day Virtual (On 1 August)

There are a range of virtual activities for those interested in learning about MPAs beyond Cape Town and South Africa:

• 12h00 - 13h00 - Twitter (X) Chat organised by FLOW Communications
• 13h00 - 14h00 - Seminar organised by CMR at the Nelson Mandela University
• 14h00 - 15h00 - A virtual tour of Marine Protected Areas – from South Africa to Sweden organised by ShareScreen Africa and FLOW – click here to register. Want to visit a Marine Protected area from the comfort of your couch? This is for you. Join us for a virtual tour of marine protected areas around the coast of South Africa and take in the views of the Gotland Hope Spot in Sweden. From the rocky shores of the Table Mountain National Park MPA to the sandy beaches of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, the mangroves adjacent to the uThukela MPA, the unique Walker Bay MPA, and the cold waters of the Baltic Sea, we will introduce you to some marine protected areas, the plants and animals that live there, and the people who care for them.
• 15h00 - 16h30 - Sea Change Project will be hosting a webinar called "Why communities are key for MPAs". Sign up here. 
• 19h00 - 20h00 - LCA Unlocking Nature online talk by Dr Bruce Mann, Dr Kendyl Wright & Kholofelo Ramokone will discuss the topic: Marine Protected Areas: How do we make them work? Register here. 

“The Two Oceans Aquarium is proud to be a founding supporter of MPA Day, which has grown its international profile with the fourth year to include activities taking place in the Baltic Sea, Mozambique, Iceland, Indonesia, the Maldives, St Helena, Sweden and Egypt, to mention a few. For an awareness campaign that started in South Africa, the international support has been overwhelming,” said Helen Lockhart, Sustainability and Conservation Manager at the Two Oceans Aquarium.

Want to learn more about MPAs?

South Africa currently boasts 42 MPAs to protect our country’s diverse marine environment and provide healthy ocean spaces for our remarkable ocean wildlife.

As vital refuges for our remarkable ocean wildlife, MPAs directly impact human lives by creating work and recreational opportunities, preserving natural heritage, and allowing the rejuvenation of many species that are used commercially elsewhere. If you live near the coast, you likely live near one of these crucial areas, and you can learn about them here.

What is MPA Day?

What started as a local celebration of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in 2021 grew into a global event in 2022, with the 2024 celebration of MPA Day on 1 August set to be the biggest and most widespread yet!

“We hope that MPA Day will help people worldwide recognise the important role of MPAs in preserving our oceans for both people and nature,” said Helen Lockhart, Sustainability and Conservation Manager at the Two Oceans Aquarium.

The partners involved in MPA Day are Two Oceans Aquarium, Flow Communications, Olivia Jones Communications, WildOceans (a programme of WildTrust), WWF-SA, Cape Nature, Adventure Mania, Mission Blue, HELCOM, Ezemvelo-KZN Wildlife, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), Sharescreen Africa, Leadership for Conservation in Africa and others. Keep an eye out on their various media platforms for the work they are doing on the day.