Sixteen Mile Beach Marine Protected Area, Marine protected area on Western Cape coast, South Africa.
Sixteen Mile Beach Marine Protected Area is a marine protected zone along South Africa's Western Cape coast near Saldanha Bay. The area contains shallow offshore waters with a continuous sandy shoreline and submerged rocky reefs that provide habitat for many fish species.
The protected area received its official status in the early 2000s through legislation aimed at protecting marine habitats. Its establishment followed growing efforts to safeguard this coastal zone from excessive commercial use.
The name comes from the length of coastline protected here, which today shapes how visitors and residents experience this stretch of ocean. The endless sandy shore defines the character of the place and forms the visible boundary between land and sea.
Visitors should be aware that certain activities like rock lobster catching require proper licenses before participation. Understanding which regulations apply is important before starting any water-based activity.
Scattered rocky reefs lie underwater, creating habitats for fish and marine life that remain invisible from the surface. These hidden structures are critical to the area's ecological diversity.
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