User Profiles for the South African Offshore Environment was commissioned by the Offshore Marine Protected Areas, South African National Biodiversity Institute, World Wildlife Fund and the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, to serve as an overview of existing information pertaining to offshore marine resource users of South Africa's exclusive economic zone. It outlines petroleum activities, mineral prospecting and mining, commercial fishing, shipping, dumping of waste, submarine cables, naval activities and scientific research in the offshore zone; giving background information, history, general operation and the areas of activity. Known and potential biodiversity impacts as well as overlap and issues of conflict between various resource users are also identified.