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The Aghulas Current helps create a diverse concentration of species, including some that are endemic. The Aghulas Current flows south along the southeast coast of Africa. The coast here harbors a mix of mangrove forests, unique parabolic sand dunes, and beds of sea grass that provide food and habitat for seabird colonies, sea turtles, and numerous fish.
The Aghulas Current is a warm current (one of the most powerful in the world) that bathes the eastern coast of southern Africa, travels southwest until it leaves the coast and turns around completely. The warm waters of the Aghulas Current mix with cool waters of the southern ocean allowing a mixture of species characteristic of different regions. Although not as rich as tropical regions that lie towards the equator, there are a number of endemic fish and invertebrates in the ecoregion. Some endemic fish in this region include the Zanzibar butterfly fish, African butterfly fish, Ear-spot angelfish, and tail-barred parritfish. Located within this ecoregion, South Africa’s De Hoop Nature Reserve includes a marine reserve that is important to several species of dolphins and the southern right whale.
Leatherback, loggerhead, green, hawksbill, and olive ridley sea turtles nest on beaches. In addition to supporting these turtles, this ecoregion provides habitat for porpoises, dolphins, whales, jackass penguins, great white sharks, and abalone. Fish such as cape hake, blackhand sole, and yellowfin and albacore tuna abound.
Loss of mangrove forests, siltation of coral reefs, destructive fishing practices (such as the use of fine-mesh nets), and overfishing pose threats to these habitats and the species that live there. Poor rural sewage treatment leads to contamination, while poor farming practices and deforestation contribute to sedimentation and degradation of sea grasses and coral reefs. Contamination from oil tanker spills and polluted ballast waters are also a problem.
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