Community Conservation ~ Ranger Wellness and Skills Development

At the heart of our community conservation efforts is Marine Watch, an award-winning community conservation and skills development project. Marine Watch has received Project of the Year at the SANParks Honorary Rangers (SHR) Indaba and SHR Project of the Year at the Kudu Awards for its impactful work in marine conservation.

Key initiatives under the Marine Watch umbrella include:

  • Buntu Skies, astronomy and nature for mental health: Ranger Wellness
  • CoastWatchers: Community Conservation and Custodianship
  • Community Conservation, fostering community involvement in marine protection: The Adventures of the Balaena Crew, beach clean-ups, school visits, field trips, environmental day celebrations
  • Maintenance Parties: Ranger Wellness
  • Marine Watch App: Law Enforcement and Compliance for Fisheries (Under Development)
  • Outdoor Callisthenics Gym: Ranger Wellness and Skills Development
  • Swim Training: Ranger Wellness and Skills Development
  • The Kelpies, Junior MPA Ranger training programme: Community Conservation

CoastWatchers is a result of local communities, organisations and SANParks Honorary Rangers uniting to support SANParks in their marine conservation duties for the Table Mountain and Robben Island MPAs

Table Mountain and Robben Island Marine Protected Areas

Both the Table Mountain and the Robben Island MPAs are actively monitored and managed by SANParks, as the Table Mountain National Park Marine Unit and supported by Guardians of the Deep NPC and the SANParks Honorary Rangers. Regular beach clean-ups, educational programmes, and patrols ensure ongoing conservation efforts, involving both Rangers and community volunteers.

The Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area (TMNP MPA) protects the marine environment along the Cape Peninsula coastline, from Mouille Point to Muizenberg, and includes six no-take zones where fishing and resource extraction are strictly prohibited. The MPA plays a crucial role in preserving marine biodiversity, protecting fish stocks, and maintaining the health of the Great African Sea Forest. The northern boundary of this MPA abuts the Robben Island MPA, an approximate 680 km2 of controlled and restricted zones with the goal to protect biodiversity, ecological processes, threatened seabirds and overexploited marine species.

Table Mountain National Park Marine Unit

The TMNP Marine Unit is responsible for the protection and enforcement of conservation laws within the MPAs. These dedicated Marine Rangers work tirelessly to patrol the coastline, prevent illegal activities such as poaching, and educate communities about marine conservation.

The Marine Unit engages in:

  • Coastal and vessel patrols to protect marine life and enforce conservation laws
  • Swim training programs to enhance ranger safety and response capabilities
  • Environmental education initiatives, including school visits, workshops, and community outreach
  • Collaborations with SANCCOB and other organisations to rescue and rehabilitate marine wildlife

The Unit has been recognised at the SANParks Cape Regional Awards, with their Section Ranger going on to win the Kudu Leadership Award, for their outstanding work and continues to grow its impact through joint operations with other conservation teams.

Prescient Fund Services support the Table Mountain National Park Marine Unit through the SANParks Honorary Rangers
and the Prescient Freedom Paddle

212 students from 7 different schools and community groups were engaged in nature conservation through the Marine Watch project during the 2024/25 financial year

How you can Help

We invite you to support the Table Mountain National Park Marine Unit in their mission to protect South Africa’s marine heritage. Funding opportunities include sponsorships for equipment, training programs, educational resources, and community outreach initiatives.

For partnership enquiries and sponsorships, please reach out to:

Sally Sivewright
sally@guardiansofthedeep.org.za

“Those who protect and save other animals, lead the way in protecting and saving humanity and Earth”

~ Anthony Douglas Williams