Project Zero is working with WILDOCEANS in South Africa on this project to execute their management plan to protect 5% of their waters and by doing so, set South Africa on a path to increase to 30% protection by 2030.

Located along the southernmost region of Africa, South Africa’s coastline stretches from the desert border on the Atlantic to the subtropical side of the Indian Ocean. At the most southern point of South Africa, these two great oceans meet. These waters are home to abundances of marine fishes, seals, sea lions, whales, dolphins, and of course, many species of sharks. African penguins and Cape fur seals are unique to this area, and other stunning migratory animals like southern right whales and great white sharks thrive here.

But the real action in South Africa comes during the annual sardine run.

Dubbed the “greatest shoal on Earth” this annual phenomenon brings millions of feeder fish that draw thousands of dolphins, orcas and bryde’s whales. Alongside South Africa’s Copper Sharks, white, blacktip and Zambezi sharks join the frenzy, along with sea birds that dive in to join the action from above.

Overfishing has led to the collapse of fish stocks, and ocean acidity and rising temperatures are taking its toll on the plants and animals that kept this once robust ecosystem flourishing. And today oil and gas exploration threatens to undermine the future health of South Africa’s ocean.

Protecting this ecosystem will help the ocean to get back in shape and perform its best. Storing more carbon dioxide and producing the oxygen we breathe.This campaign will counter the positioning of the mining sector (hydrocarbon and mineral extraction) as a viable and important driver of blue ocean economies, that are in competition with MPA’s, by exposing the risks and impacts of these activities on social, economic and environmental resilience of developing countries.

Ultimately this campaign hopes to lead the way to a regional movement for increased protection across all African national waters and Africa’s Southern Ocean territories, aimed at meeting the current MPA target of 10% by 2020, but paving the way to African states supporting a global target of 30% strongly protected by 2030.