Coral reefs, together with ocean plants, provide the ocean with oxygen and contribute to more than 50% of the global oxygen in the atmosphere that we depend on. It also absorbs nearly 30 % of man-made carbon dioxide. Healthy Corals are the foundation of our ocean’s food chain, from tiny plankton to the largest sea animals. Coral reefs are often called the rainforests of the sea because of the vast amount of species they harbour and the high productivity they yield. with many species of coral, they support and are home to a multitude of different types of sea life.

Reefs provide spawning, nursery, refuge and feeding habitats for many organisms, including  jellyfish, Moray eels, nudibranchs, crabs, octopus, starfish, and turtles. By providing a suitable environment for fish to thrive, coral reefs are an important contributor to our South African economy . Their beauty also makes coral reefs a powerful attraction for tourism, and well-managed tourism provides a sustainable means of earning income and employment for people in our area. Thus healthy coral reefs contribute to providing thousands of jobs along our coastline.

Many of the world’s reefs have already been destroyed or severely damaged; once damaged, it is difficult for these fragile environments to recover. It is our duty as locals to safeguard our natural resources in this Marine protected area. We assist, arrange and facilitate school field trips for our local youth and beach clean ups with community members  as well as  creating access to ocean spaces for everyone, and teaching conscious diving to our student divers while highlighting the importance of the coral reef ecosystems. We teach our students neutral buoyancy diving at all times ” do not touch,  do not disturb, and most certainly leave no “fin print.”

The iSimangaliso Marine Protected Area or MPA, must rate as one of the most unique and diverse eco-systems in the world. The iSimangaliso Marine Protected Area is therefore not only a very popular tourism destination, but also vital for the protection of threatened and endangered species, like sharks, Coelacanths and sea turtles and for the conservation of sensitive eco-systems, like coral reefs and turtle nesting beaches. All these activities are professionally managed and guided by the iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority.