Publication of the Draft Management Plans for the Benguela Muds and Cape Canyon Marine Protected Areas for public comment.

24 July 2025

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment is pleased to announce that the Minister has approved the publication of the draft management plans for the Benguela Muds Marine Protected Area and Cape Canyon Marine Protected Area for public comment. The draft management plans for the two Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) have been prepared in accordance with sections 39, 40 and 41 of the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003 (Act No. 57 of 2003) (the Protected Areas Act). The management plans do not give or take away rights in the MPAs. The zonation of the relevant MPA, the kinds of activities allowed and the specific provisions relating to each MPA are contained in the relevant set of regulations for each MPA. The management plans are an important tool for the collective management of the MPAs and are a key planning tool for the current and future management of MPAs.

During the development of the management plans, various workshops, meetings, and focus groups were undertaken to ensure relevant stakeholders participated in shaping the plans. The stakeholder engagement meetings for the Benguela Muds and Cape Canyon management plans were attended by various stakeholders, including representatives from the fishing industry, national and provincial government, municipalities, small-scale fishers and non-government organisations.

The draft management plans are available for public review and comment for a period of thirty (30) days from the date of the publication of notification of the plans’ availability for comment in the newspaper. Any comments received after the specified timeframe may be disregarded.

By post:
The Deputy Director-General: Oceans and Coasts,
Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment,
Private Bag X4390,
Cape Town,
8001
Attention: Ms. Ntombovuyo Madlokazi

By email: nmadlokazi@dffe.gov.za

Hand-delivery: The Deputy Director-General: Oceans and Coasts,
Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment,
2 East Pier Building, East Pier Road,
V&A Waterfront,
Cape Town,
Attention: Ms. Ntombovuyo Madlokazi

Copies of the draft management plans can be downloaded from the Department’s website: https://www.dffe.gov.za/oc_strategyframework or obtained electronically upon request by email to nmadlokazi@dffe.gov.za and a hard copy can be accessed at the Department’s offices at 2 East Pier Road, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town.

Any queries about the plans or this process can be directed to:

Ms. Ntombovuyo Madlokazi
082 865 6848
nmadlokazi@dffe.gov.za

For media enquiries, please contact:

Peter Mbelengwa  
Mobile: 082 611 8197   
E-mail: pmbelengwa@dffe.gov.za