The Benguela Muds Marine Protected Area is an offshore conservation region on the continental slope of the west coast in the exclusive economic zone of South Africa.

The South-western Cape has a Mediterranean type climate, with most of its rainfall during the winter months from June to September.

Winter in the South-western Cape is characterised by disturbances in the circumpolar westerly winds, resulting in a series of eastward moving depressions.

(describe position, biodiversity and endemism of the region) The MPA is in the warm temperate Benguela ecoregion to the west of Cape Point which extends northwards to the Orange River.

The sediment may be moved around by water action, to a greater or lesser degree depending on weather conditions and exposure of the area.

This means that sessile organisms must be specifically adapted to areas of relatively loose substrate to thrive in them, and the variety of species found on a sedimentary bottom will depend on all these factors.

Unconsolidated sedimentary bottoms have one important compensation for their instability, animals can burrow into the sand and move up and down within its layers, which can provide feeding opportunities and protection from predation.

In temperate seas there are distinct seasonal cycles of phytoplankton growth, based on the available nutrients and the available sunlight.

The MPA is in the cool temperate Benguela ecoregion to the east of Cape Point which extends eastwards to the Mbashe River.