1st August Celebrating Marine Protected Area Day – South Africa : Prince Edward Islands
The 1st of August 2021 represents Africa’s first ever Marine Protected Area Day. “A Marine Protected Area (MPA) is an area of coastline or ocean that is specially protected for the benefit of people and nature The rich diversity of coastal and ocean ecosystems in South Africa are protected through a network of MPAs. Prior to 2019, there were 25 formally declared MPAs including 23 permanent coastal MPAs, including the large Prince Edward Islands (PEIs) MPA in the Southern Ocean. Thirty percent of South Africa’s territory in the Southern Ocean is protected by Prince Edward Islands MPA- https://www.marineprotectedareas.org.za
MARINE LIVING RESOURCES ACT 18 OF 1998 = – REGULATIONS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THE PRINCE EDWARD ISLANDS MARINE PROTECTED AREA – Published under Government Notice R422 in Government Gazette 36572, dated 21 June 2013. Gazette No. 18930, Notice No. 747. Commencement date: 1 September 1998 [Proc. No. 80, Gazette No. 19148]
Prince Edward Islands Marine protected Area is a “A volcanic sub-Antarctic wilderness teeming with hundreds of thousands of penguins, albatrosses, petrels and seals. The Prince Edward Islands are the jewels in South Africa’s island crown. They comprise of the larger Marion Island and the smaller Prince Edward Island, which were annexed by the South African navy in 1948. A permanent weather station has been in operation ever since that provides vital information needed to monitor weather and climate change in the Southern Ocean. The islands are home to unique plants and animals not found near the South African mainland. There are millions of penguins, albatrosses, petrels, seals and a transient group of killer whales. The MPA was proclaimed in 2013 and covers 30% of South Africa’s Southern Ocean territory, representing 80% of its ecosystem diversity. It protects the productive waters surrounding the islands, as well as important features such as seamounts. This ensures that the krill and fish stocks that top predators depend on are not overexploited. Historically, there was intense fishing for Patagonion toothfish, but this collapsed and has been restricted to two vessels to allow for their recovery. The terrestrial ecosystems are under threat from invasive house mice that were accidentally introduced in the 1800s. The Mouse Free Marion project plans to eradicate the mice in 2021 to allow for the ecological recovery of the island’s plant, insect and seabird communities.” –https://www.marineprotectedareas.org.za/prince-edward-islands-mpa
Prince Edward Island
Marion Island
Images, videos and documents available on the Antarctic Legacy of South Africa’s Archive:
- Prince Edward Island
- Marion Island
- Geographical features on Prince Edward Islands compiled by John Cooper
- Videos of Marion Island by Otto Whitehead
- Prince Edward Island Management Plan
Marion Island (29 000 hectares) and Prince Edward (4500 hectares), collectively known as the Prince Edward Islands (PEIs) were 
The House Mouse Mus musculus (Photo Credit: Stefan Schoombie), inadvertently introduced to Marion Island by sealers in the early 1800s, successfully established on the island. With the human occupation of the island in 1948, four cats were brought to the island to control the mice in and around the station. However, these cats bred on the island, with their offspring becoming feral, and by the 1970s the population had increased to about 2000 individuals that were killing some 450 000 birds per year, mostly chicks of burrow-nesting species. 
With South Africa’s successful eradication of the cats in 1991 (confirmed in 1992), until recently the largest island upon which this has been achieved, the mice continued to thrive and over the years have had devastating effects on Marion’s fragile ecosystem by negatively affecting invertebrate densities, impacting on the vegetation by consuming seed loads and preying upon the chicks of burrowing petrels (since the 1980s) and surface-breeding albatrosses (since 2003), with ‘scalpings’ occurring from 2009 and attacks on adult birds recorded more recently in 2019. (Image Credit: FitzPatrick Institute)
In what would later become a partnership with DFFE, a 
The systematic aerial sowing of bait will be conducted by GPS-guided helicopters with underslung bait buckets to ensure every single mouse territory is covered. The aerial baiting will be complemented by hand-baiting approaches in and around the 
A project of this nature requires substantial funding. To date, funds provided and committed are comprised largely of donations, government funding and crowd sourcing to save Marion Island’s seabirds. For more information and the latest updates on the MFM Project, as well as to ‘
The Prince Edward Islands in the southern Indian Ocean form the first 
In his capacity as management oversight through the PEIAC, he was part of the takeover team for Marion Island during April and May in 2021 – “As I am responsible for the oversight of the Implementation of the 
Left: Daisy Kotsedi – Marine Protected Area (MPA) Management with Mbulelo Dopolo en route to Watertunnel from the base, which is approximately 30 km walk over steep climbs of Black headed and Rocky terrain.
(Left) At the base before departure for very first trip out of the base to Ships Cove. ( Right) Assisting with fuel transfer from the ship to the base storage. Pulling the pipe from a rubber duck to the shore. S.A. Agulhas II in the background. Unfortunately, they had to abort their mission to Rooks due to strong winds.
Winnie “WINZA” Moodaley. “I am, as always, grateful for the opportunities afforded to me, and the trust placed in me by those who believe in me. “It was also a way to find out what I am capable of in such a remote setting; if I could rise to such a challenge.”
Alain Jacobs “AJ”. He believes coming to Marion was destiny and decided to come for the “experience of a lifetime”.
Aphiwe Dyum “One thing I realised whilst being on the island is the inter-personal skill that is necessary when working in remote areas like Marion Island.”
Khuliso Collen Maphaha “My experience on Marion has been “greater than expected and I look forward to greater moments to come.”
Nkoane Jack Mathabatha “It is an honour and a privilege to be part of this important research. The earth isn’t going to stop revolving and if we stop moving we might fall off and be left behind lingering in the past.”
Patrick Hlongwane, “Pat” His wonderful singing voice and superb dance moved have brightened up life for those who are here.
Philani Siya Ngcobo “Siya” “I expected total isolation here on this remote island, with maybe one call a week, but has been pleasantly surprised at the access to the internet and the ability to keep up with sport and news.”
Stephanus Schoeman His enjoyment of his job was a driving factor that brought him to Marion, along with the “opportunity to see such a beautiful place.”
Danielle Z. Keys, or Dani “Marion stole my heart in 2018 and I never wanted to leave in the first place! I love the freedom and the wildlife here – there is nothing else like it.” “I am braver this time round.”
Frikkie van der Vyver With covid-19 raising havoc in most parts of the world, an opportunity to return to Marion couldn’t have come at a more appropriate time.”
Leandri de Kock “The experience is really a dream come true. I have learned so much and seen so much of the island. So far, not one day has been the same. Truly an adventure of a lifetime.”
Audrey Mpho Mashau, or Mpho Mpho has overwintered on an expedition like this before and knows Marion – something she says “came in handy as I knew the kind of mental and physical commitment I was putting myself into.”
Thando Cebekhulu, He originally came to Marion Island as part of M74 and says “it actually feels like I never left this place.”
Yinhla Shihlomule “ It is the most peaceful place on earth – never mind the roaring winds and tumbling waves.” “I sailed to Marion Island. That’s a lifetime experience. “
Director Ruth Peacey “Antarctica cast a spell on me and Marion has evoked that same magic. I feel so lucky to be able to share this special experience with such an ace team.” 
Cameraman Tom Hartwell “a cameraman’s dream… I couldn’t resist the opportunity to film on an island with such incredible natural spectacles, not to mention so many charismatic and loveable species!”
Camera Assistant Katie Wardle “I feel so lucky to be able to experience this crazy island and at the start of my career this is a gold dust opportunity to learn and hopefully propel me into other work on my return home.” 
Back row (left to right): Khuliso Maphaha (Assistant Meteorologist), Phethokuhle Hlongwane (Base Engineer), Stephanus Schoeman (SANSA Engineer), Yinhla Shihlomule (Sealer), Mpho Mashau (ECO), Tom Hartwell (Film Crew), Danielle Keys (Birder and Science Team Leader), Winnie Moodaley (Medical Orderly and Team Leader), Philani Ngcobo (Assistant Meteorologist).
The 78th Marion Island overwintering team has gone through some ups and downs. After two weeks of isolation and multiple Covid-19 tests, the team left Cape Town on 9 April at 19:34 onboard the SA Agulhas II with Captain Gavin Syndercombe. The team arrived at Marion Island on 13 April 2021. The Marion 78 team leader is Bubele Nongwejana (see below). He is also the Medical Orderly, taking over from Winnie Moodaley – current team leader and Medical Orderly of Marion 77.
