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As the world marks World Habitat Awareness Month and South Africa celebrates Marine Month this October, the spotlight falls on the delicate balance between preserving natural habitats and promoting sustainable tourism. With its breathtaking 2 850 kilometres of coastline, South Africa is a magnet for both domestic and international travellers, especially during the peak holiday season.
Beyond being a stunning natural feature, South Africa's coastline is an essential resource brimming with life. The African penguin's unique natural habitat is the beaches of the southern and west coastlines, while the east coast is home to one of nature's most spectacular migration phenomena, the sardine run. For foraging, mating and breeding, turtles, whales and dolphins also frequently visit these coasts.
READ: Impacts of climate change on SA
Harnessing technology for conservation: The Huawei coral reef initiative
The Huawei-backed programme to repair and spread coral reefs in Mauritius is a classic example of technology-driven conservation. Coral reefs support a quarter of marine species and give food, livelihoods, safety and tourist possibilities to at least one billion people, despite occupying less than 1% of the world's seas.
Regrettably, threats to their existence include pollution, overfishing and rising sea temperatures brought on by climate change. According to UN statistics, 14% of the world's coral reefs were destroyed between 2009 and 2018 because of the ongoing rise in sea temperatures. According to research, 90% of tropical corals worldwide and the ecosystems that depend on them may disappear by 2050 if present trends continue.
In response to coral deterioration in Mauritius, Huawei Mauritius partnered with local partner EcoMode Society in 2021 to launch a three-year conservation initiative at Pointe-aux-Feuilles off the island's east coast. Using a mix of cloud, underwater cameras, GPS, and 4G technologies, the team developed a unique technological system that permitted large-scale coral planting while also collecting, transmitting and analysing data. To date, the effort has helped recover over 25 000 coral fragments, with another 1 890 propagated.
Kian Chen, deputy CEO of Huawei SA, highlights the significance of technology in conservation efforts:
"Projects like the one in Mauritius show how important a role technology can play in protecting and restoring coastal ecosystems. Such projects not only help ensure that the plants and wildlife that call those ecosystems home can continue to do so but also that these ecosystems continue to benefit local communities and the tourists who visit them. It's not just coastal areas that are aided by such initiatives either. Our Tech4Nature programme supports numerous ecological protection projects in a wide variety of ecosystems around the globe."
Preserving South Africa's coastal gems
As South Africa celebrates Marine Month, the spotlight falls on the delicate balance between preserving coastal habitats and promoting sustainable tourism. Protecting South Africa's coastline is not just an environmental imperative but also an economic one, as tourism is a vital source of income.
READ: Highlight the importance of saving our marine life
Citizens can play a role in promoting this balance by supporting organisations like SANParks, which manages national parks that double as coastal reserves. These parks, such as Tsitsikamma National Park, offer opportunities to experience stunning coastal scenery while contributing to conservation efforts.
The hospitality industry also has a crucial role to play. The Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront's adoption of two penguins through the seabird rescue organisation SANCCOB exemplifies how hotels can actively participate in conservation initiatives.
With large parts of South Africa's coastline, seas and estuaries under threat, the need to balance tourism and environmental protection is becoming increasingly urgent. Organisations across various sectors are recognizing this importance and taking steps to ensure that South Africa's coastal habitats remain a haven for both nature and tourism for generations to come.
