The importance of the island near-shore biotas lies in the fact that most have been less exploited than mainland equivalents and the islands should therefore form biodiversity reservoirs. The text so far has striven to emphasis the broad similarities of southern African islands. However, it is critical to appreciate that these islands vary considerably in terms of their geology, size, and especially in their location, cadastrally, distance off-shore as well as local oceanographic and climatic conditions. Most South African islands are under the control of authorities whose managers are terrestrially focused and for whom the islands often have a peripheral interest. In Namibia all islands fall under a ministry with a marine exploitative focus.
Scientists conducting studies at or around all the southern African islands tend to be taxa focused.
Marine resource managers tend to ignore the islands because of their minuscule size. The overall result is lack of appreciation of the islands, a situation that has been worsened recently by increased diversity of political control. It must be appreciated that the islands have many features in common, certainly more in common with one another than most have with their adjacent mainland. Therefore the protection of the biodiversity the islands support requires planning and co-ordination at a level encompassing all island controlling authorities, as well as marine resource managers and affected scientists. Threats to the islands are increasing.