Marine Protected Areas Day is held on 1 August every year – and it’s an especially significant day for Morukuru Family De Hoop. After all, our two properties, Morukuru Beach Lodge and Morukuru Ocean House, are located within the De Hoop Nature Reserve, part of the precious De Hoop Marine Protected Area. This Marine Protected Area (MPA) stretches 51 km across the coastline and extends five nautical miles out to sea. The entire MPA is a Restricted Zone (No Take Area) and forms part of the migratory route and calving zone for Southern Right whales. Did you know that South Africa has a total of 42 MPAs? These areas, including the De Hoop MPA, serve various purposes, including biodiversity conservation and building ecosystem resilience. MPAs safeguard marine species from threats such as overfishing, habitat destruction, and pollution. In fact, studies have shown that marine life within fully protected MPAs can exhibit increases in biomass of up to 670% more than nearby non-protected areas. That’s pretty incredible!   But MPAs do more than just protect the ocean’s inhabitants. They offer many societal benefits, too. For example, they boost fisheries by allowing fish populations to recover and expand, often resulting in increased catches in adjacent areas. This supports local economies reliant on fishing while ensuring the long-term sustainability of marine resources. MPAs also provide opportunities for education, research, and cultural heritage preservation. Governmental organisation CapeNature, officially known as the Western Cape Nature Conservation Board, is the custodian of De Hoop Nature Reserve, which is one of the largest natural areas managed by the organisation. Besides the treasures of the ocean, De Hoop Nature Reserve is home to a 16 km long vlei, rare fynbos, over 260 bird species, various wildlife species, and the Potberg Mountains. In collaboration with CapeNature, Morukuru Goodwill Foundation works hard to amplify the positive effects of the De Hoop Marine Protected Area, organising regular beach clean-ups (our most recent clean-up took place on 17 and 18 May 2024), and removing alien vegetation within the reserve. We also sponsor and assist the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation with releasing rehabilitated turtles back into the ocean, like Bheni. Together we can all make a difference. Travellers like you can also play a role in boosting the benefits of MPAs for both the environment and local communities:

• Support eco-friendly accommodations and tours

Choose accommodations and tour operators that implement sustainable practices like waste reduction, energy conservation, and the use of eco-friendly products. As a Relais and Chateaux member, we are aligned with other properties that care like we do.

• Minimise pollution

Reduce plastic use, use proper waste management to prevent littering, and choose biodegradable sunscreens and personal care products to protect coral reefs and other marine life. We have eco-friendly products throughout our properties so you can tick that off during your stay.

• Join beach clean-ups

As mentioned, CapeNature and Morukuru Goodwill Foundation host regular beach clean-ups in De Hoop Nature Reserve. Why not join us in future at one of our clean ups. Did you know? At Bites Beach Café, you can earn a complimentary cup of coffee by helping to pick up plastic on the beach.

• Raise awareness

Learn about the importance of marine ecosystems and the threats they face. Educate others and adopt responsible behaviours to minimise impact.

• Play your part

You might also consider signing up for our “Coastal Conservation with a Purpose” package when spending a minimum of two nights at Morukuru Beach Lodge or Morukuru Ocean House. The package includes additional conservation-focused activities like a behind-the-scenes visit to our partners at the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation Turtle Conservation Centre in Cape Town, an informative talk about the challenges faced when building both Morukuru De Hoop properties, and a tour of our solar plant, where we’ll take you through the details of operating off the grid. You’ll also get to see our Rooikrans removal team working hard to assist CapeNature in eradicating the alien and invasive Rooikrans trees from the reserve. Here’s to marine protected areas and striking that balance between enjoying nature and preserving it for generations to come.