Greater St. Lucia Wetlands
 The site ranges from the Umfolozi River in the south
to Bhanganek and Lake Sibaya in the north including
the shallow coastal area to the continental shelf.
Area covered is approximately 2,490 km squared.
Description
Longest estuarine system in Eastern Africa
(extending 80 km) with estuarine lakes and a matrix of
wetlands and huge sand dunes (>100 m high), extensive
beaches, coral reefs and deep canyons on the steep
sides of the narrow continental shelf. The coral reefs are
the most southern in the ecoregion, contributing to
great diversity of habitats and species with significant
amounts of endemism especially for soft corals and fish
(sea breams and grouper). It is an important breeding
area for ragged tooth, nurse and Zambezi sharks, and
for Loggerhead and Leatherback turtles. A resident
population of coelacanth occurs in deep canyons. The
area has 360 species of bird including nesting colonies
of White and Pink-backed pelicans and Caspian terns.
Seasonal migrations of over 2,500 whales pass the area and there are also seasonal aggregations of Whale sharks. An
area of global importance because of its high habitat and species diversity and endemism, as well as breeding area
for endangered and threatened species, ongoing speciation and presence of coelacanth.
Contacts
KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Services and Oceanographic Research Institute, Durban, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa.
Conservation Status
The estuary is suffering from salination due to mismanagement practices in the catchment
areas but the rest of the system is intact. A newly passed South African water law dictates the amount of water
allocation to the estuary. It is a World Heritage and Ramsar Site and includes several Terrestrial Reserves and a Marine
Reserve with management plans. The KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Service administers the area, and the
management plan promotes strict protective management for all groups with some diving allowed on selected
reefs.
Summary of threats and information needs
back to top
back to Priority sites |
