Namibia - Benguela Current Marine Ecosystem Sites

The Benguela Current Marine Ecosystem Sites represent a western boundary large marine ecosystem along the coast of south-western Africa, between 34°S and 15°S, from the South African coast equatorwards towards the Namibia-Angola geopolitical boundary. The ecosystem is characterized by high productivity and defined by the Benguela upwelling associated with the eastern boundary current (Benguela Current) of the South Atlantic subtropical gyre. The Benguela Current is driven by the prevailing South Easterly trade winds of the South Atlantic Ocean. Inshore of the Benguela Current proper, the south easterly winds cause coastal upwelling, forming the Benguela Upwelling System. The principal upwelling center is situated offshore the Lüderitz area in southern Namibia. A marine protected area in Namibia along the southern Namibian coast and adjacent islands is associated with this upwelling area. The upwelling of cold, nutrient rich waters from around 200–300 m depth results in high rates of phytoplankton growth that sustains the Benguela ecosystem.