The protected status for the windswept Prince Edward islands, lying 1,777km from the South African mainland, aims in part to help toothfish populations recover.
Served in restaurants as Chilean sea bass, toothfish is known as white gold and has fallen prey to illegal fishing.
Beefed-up controls will include a ban on fishing within 12 nautical miles of the islands, and limited fishing in specified zones beyond that radius.
Environment Minister Edna Molewa hailed the move as "a significant contribution to the conservation of global biodiversity".
The islands in the southern Indian Ocean draw masses of breeding animals and birds including three types of seals, supporting 22% of the world's sub-Antarctic fur seals.
Four species of penguins, five species of albatross and 14 species of petrels also breed there. The islands support 44% of the Wandering Albatross.
The larger Marion Island covers 290km2 and has a base for environmental research and weather data collection.
The smaller Prince Edward Island is just 45km 2 .
The volcanic islands have an average annual temperature of five degrees Celsius and gale winds are common.
South African boats will be allowed to fish, with restrictions, for the Patagonian toothfish outside the new sanctuary in South African waters.
Source: AFP via I-Net Bridge
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