The blanket of water off our coast covers a rich and varied range of ecosystems. Between the shoreline and the edge of the continental shelf we encounter rocky reefs.
 
These natural sculptures provide wonderful shelter for a myriad of fish and invertebrates while providing sites of attachment for algae, the start of all food webs. Off the KwaZulu-Natal south coast, these reefs are home to some of the rarer and more magnificent fish found along the coast.
 
Reefs such as the Aliwal Shoal, off the small town of Umkomaas, have been declared by law as Marine Protected Areas - not only to conserve their natural beauty and rich biodiversity, but to protect the breeding grounds of many species of fish. These reefs are popular dive sites and give divers a wonderful opportunity to experience the diversity of our fish and invertebrate life.