The plant diversity and aquatic invertebrate diversity are exceptionally high in these wetlands. Furthermore it is home to the endangered Cape Platanna and the Micro frog. The Agulhas Plain is part of the Overberg District and is classified as rural with agriculture as its major industry. In the coastal regions the fishing industry is severely depressed due to over-fishing of the resource which is characterised by large scale poaching of species such as perlemoen. All the major towns share one economic trait, one of relative stagnation and in some cases retrogression.
Tourism is recognised as a growth industry.
Currently, efforts are underway to organise the industry. However, the industry is not yet structured to capitalise optimally on the emerging opportunities. The development of the national park coupled with the accompanying expertise and capacity in tourism development bodes well for the region as a whole. Forty thousand people already visit the lighthouse and its environs annually. Not only is there the attraction of the lighthouse, which is 150 years old today, but also the Southern tip, whale watching and other attractions of a national park which would act as the required stimulus.