National Profiles
 
 

Population: 
 43,426,386 
Land space:
 1219912 km2
Coastal area:
1,219,912 km 

(Source: CIA World Factbook 1999)
 
 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

South Africa


 

Country Contact:

Bruce Glavonic 
Department of Environmental Affairs 
Bag X2 
Roggebay 0012, South Africa 
Telephone:  27 21 403 3035 
Telefax:  27 21 252 920 
 
 


(Source: CIA World Factbook 1999)
 
 

Many thanks to the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development, the source of the following information. The information was taken from South Africa's submission to the 5th and 7th Sessions of the Commission on Sustainable Development (last update: December 1998). For further information on South Africa's social and economic factors, natural resources, and institutional structures see the United Nations System-Wide Web Site on National Implementation of the Rio Commitments National Information for South Africa at
http://www.un.org/esa/agenda21/natlinfo/countr/safrica/index.htm
 

OCEANS AND COASTAL AREAS

Integrated decision-making

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) was ratified on 20 August 1997.

The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEA & T) is responsible for integrated coastal zone management, marine pollution control and sustainable use and conservation of marine living resources. Although the national department is overall the responsible ministry, provinces play a major role, since the
Constitution of South Africa gives wider powers to the provinces, e.g., Provincial planning, which is a provincial issue. The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA), Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) and Department of Minerals and Energy (DME) are other key bodies dealing with marine
environmental protection. 

The DEA & T is the Lead Agent for the Environment in terms of the National Environmental Management Bill and formulates national policy and legislation pertaining to the environment. To a certain extent, this department is also responsible for enforcing legislation, as is the case in the fisheries sector. Executive
functions lie mostly with the provincial departments of environmental affairs.

A Committee for Environmental Coordination (CEC) and several sub-committees have been established in terms of the Environmental Conservation Act (Act No. 73 of 1989) to facilitate coordination between the responsible bodies. Since the Constitution of South Africa makes provision for wider powers at the provincial level, the national Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism also co-operates and consults with the following departments and ministries:  Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment of Gauteng Province, Department of Environmental Affairs of Mpumalanga Province, Department of
Agriculture, Land and Environment Affairs of Northern Province, Department of Tourism and Environmental Affairs of North West Province, Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Nature Conservation of Northern Cape Province, Department of Economic Affairs, Environment and Tourism Eastern of Cape
Province, Department of Community Safety and Environmental Affairs of Western Cape Province, Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism of Free State Province, and Department of Traditional- and Environmental Affairs of KwaZulu-Natal Province. 

In addition, there is formal and informal coordination between various departments at both the national and provincial level.

An example of formalised interrelationships is in the case of oil spill response. The DEA&T is responsible for co-ordinating oil spill response once the oil is released into the environment. The Department of Transport, through the SAMSA, is responsible for prevention of pollution which it achieves by checking the seaworthiness of ships, and undertaking salvage operations in the event of an incident, including the removal of oil from vessels in distress. SAMSA is also responsible for dealing with ship owners in the case of recovery of costs from pollution incidents. Contingency plans have been drawn up for the various coastal regions. The Department of Transport and SAMSA work closely with the DEA&T to combat oil spills and minimise impact.

Main national policies concerned with integrated coastal zone management are: Coastal Policy (Green Paper, which is a discussion document was recently released, and which will soon be followed by a White paper), White Paper on Environmental Management Policy for South Africa (an umbrella policy
pertaining to the environment generally), Off-road Vehicle Policy, White Paper on the Conservation and Sustainable use of South Africaís Biological Diversity, White Paper on a Minerals and Mining Policy for South Africa and Policy for Marine Protected Areas. Furthermore, a range of structure plans and zoning schemes cover part of the coastline. Various policy statements are included in the provincial planning ordinances, bills and acts. 

The White Paper on Integrated Pollution and Waste Management in South Africa covers government policy pertaining to pollution generally, including marine pollution. 

The main national policy dealing with sustainable use and conservation of marine living resources is the South African Fisheries Policy, superseded by the Marine Living Resources Act 18 of 1998. 

Special protection is afforded to Coral reefs off the northern KwaZulu-Natal coast, where they are incorporated into extensive Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Various estuarine mangrove forests are also protected by Provincial regulation in KwaZulu-Natal and in the Eastern Cape.

Specific programmes include a Global Environmental Facility (GEF)-funded project aimed at developing a ballast water management strategy; the CoastCARE, which is a broad-based information exchange, public awareness and education initiative and which addresses issues pertaining to integrated coastal
management; and a combined base line study, impact assessment and broad management programme by the Marine Diamond Mine Association for all the relevant concession holders for precious stones on the West coast, known as the GEMPL. 

The following regulations guide integrated coastal zone management: Environmental Conservation Act 73 of 1989, Sea Shore Act 21 of 1935, National Water Act 36 of 1998 (replaced Water Act 54 (1956), Physical Planning Act 125 (1991), National Parks Act 57 (1963), Lake Areas Development Act 39 (1975), Mountain Catchment Areas Act 63 (1970), Forest Act 122 (1984), now superseded by the Draft National Forests Bill, National Monuments Act 28 (1969), Defence Act 144 (1957), Sea Birds and Seals Protection Act 46 (1973), Nature and Environmental Conservation Ordinance 19 (1974), Nature Conservation Ordinance 15 (1974), Development Facilitation Act 67 (1995), Provincial Planning Legislation, Sensitive Coastal Area (SCA) Regulations, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations, Land Development Objectives and Integrated Development Plans (for Local Authorities), Draft Development Zones Bill (1998) and Minerals Act 50 (1991).

Marine environmental protection is regulated by: Dumping at Sea Control Act 73 (1980), International Convention relating to intervention on the High Seas in cases of Oil Pollution Casualties Act 64 (1984) and regulations made in terms of this Act, Marine Pollution (Control and Civil Liability) Act 6 (1981) giving effect to Civil Liability Convention, Marine Pollution (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 2 (1986) giving effect to MARPOL 73/78, Marine Pollution (Intervention) Act 64 (1987) giving effect to 1969 Intervention Convention and 1973 Intervention Protocol, Territorial Waters Act 87 (1963), Marine Traffic Act 2 (1981), Maritime Zones Act 15 (1994), Maritime Safety - International agreements and regulations, Merchant Shipping Act 57 (1951), National Water Act 36 (1998), Guidelines for Marine Water Quality, Guidelines on the Management of Dredged Material and Minerals Act (1991).

Sustainable use and conservation of marine living resources is regulated by the Marine Living Resources Act 18 (1998) and regulations made in terms of this Act, and the Sea Shore Act 21 (1935).

In general, most of the laws have been adapted to be consistent with international laws and standards.

Most of the codes of practice, standards or guidelines have been established by Government. However, many of the new initiatives encourage broad participation and involve a number of stakeholders and interested and affected parties. The Coastal Policy Steering Committee consists of fifty percent government and fifty percent civil society, as an example of a partnership programme. Six regional managers have also been appointed to facilitate public involvement. Some of these codes of practice, standards or guidelines are mandatory (for example the EIA regulations, while others are voluntary (for example the use of chlorofluoro-carbons (CFCís) and halons). For mining of precious stones and oil-exploitation, mandatory procedures and requirements are given by the Minerals Act and compulsory
guidelines. 

In the Coastal Policy as well as the New Marine Living Resources Act, broad participation has been encouraged. The Coastal Policy process involved all interested and affected parties and all stakeholders, including local communities, non-governmental organisations, local authorities, individuals, business and industry. The Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism appointed a Policy Committee as a partnership between government and civil society, representing the following key sectors: national and provincial government, community-based organizations, environmental non-governmental organizations, business, labour and sport and recreation. The Policy Committee has appointed a Project Management Team to conduct the day to day management of the project, Regional Managers to coordinate public participation in the various coastal regions and Specialist Study Teams to provide technical information. The programme aims to ensure meaningful public participation, scientific integrity, integrated coastal management and a practical policy. 

Status

The major uses of the coastal areas in South Africa are as population centres and for tourism, recreation and leisure, commercial and recreational fishing, agriculture and mining. For more information, see the following sections: Sustainable Tourism, Agriculture and Changing Consumption Patterns.

South Africa has a population of 40,583,573 (1996 Census figures), with 53.7 percent of the population living in urban areas, and 46.3 percent living in non-urban areas respectively. 

At present, it is estimated that about 12 million people live within 60km of the coast, which constitutes about thirty percent of South Africaís population. In the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces approximately eighty percent of the population resides in the narrow coastal strip.

Development and other pressures on the coast have recently increased dramatically, and it is expected that this trend will continue. Already there are clear signs that increasing population pressure and the consequent potential for over-exploitation of coastal and marine resources and environmental degradation of our coast are reducing the ability of coastal systems to sustain human activities.

Many South Africans are dependent on the coast for their subsistence. Activities include line-fishing, collection of inter-tidal organisms, beach and seine netting and agricultural practices. The value of subsistence activities is difficult to determine because of limited information. Preliminary indications are that at least 3.6 million South Africans are dependent on coastal resources for subsistence, and that the total value of these activities is at least ZAR 1billion annually (ZAR 5.7=US$ 1).

Coastal and marine resources play a major role in sustaining the economic and social development of the nation and contribute to the national economy, and to the employment and food security of local populations. The diverse environmental characters and conditions found along the coast, largely due to the influence of the
Indian, Atlantic, and Southern Oceans, have influenced human settlement patterns and land-use activities in the coastal zone. Historically, much of South Africaís population and economic activity has been concentrated inland, but in recent years the coastal zone has been subjected to increasing development pressure. This is particularly evident in the four major coastal cities of Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, East London and Durban, which are experiencing rapid growth and together support more than 6 million people. Other major urban centres include Saldanha Bay and Richards Bay. At the core of both of these fledgling cities is a specialised, export-based, deep-water port. Richards Bay is a growing urban centre of some 40,000 people on the KwaZulu-Natal north coast. Saldanha Bay is considerably
smaller, about 17,000 people, on the West Coast.

Coastal cities are a gateway to world-trade. Shipping and harbours are a strategic element of this trade. Cargo valued at over ZAR 140 billion is transported through South Africaís ports, generating over ZAR 4.2 billion in revenue annually. According to the national transport agency, Portnet, this revenue has a sevenfold multiplier effect, an amount exceeding ZAR 29.7 billion. Most harbour traffic (75-80% by volume) goes through the ports of Durban and Richards Bay.

Tourism activities have grown into a global growth industry, and the south African coast has particular value in this regard. They generate more than ZAR 15.2 billion with more than 20 million international and domestic visitors each year. More than 40 different recreational activities take place at the coast. The Gunston 500 surfing competition, Ocean Action attracts over 800 000 visitors and generates over ZAR 220 million for local Durban business in only 10 days. There are about 100,000 SCUBA divers active on our coast, in an activity worth about ZAR 36 million annually. Increased tourism leads to further development on the coast and there is potential for negative impact. The EIA regulations which were promulgated in September 1997, regulates or prohibit certain activities, such as residential development. The SCA Regulations also control certain activities in parts of the coast, notably the more vulnerable or sensitive areas. These four
activities are: earthworks, disturbance of vegetation, dredging and dune stabilisation. 

Many other economic benefits are derived from our coast and future development prospects are enormous. For example, in recognition of current and future economic opportunities, and in response to the marked disparities along the coast, eight of ten Spatial Development Initiatives (SDIs) are linked to the coast. These multi-billion rand coastal development proposals have an anticipated total value of ZAR 90 billion and a projected employment of 90,000 people.

South Africaís coast provides significant opportunities for agriculture, with generally poor, but variable soils on the West Coast and rich soils on the East Coast. The coast also provides some potential for mariculture, with good water quality and nutrient supply, but a limited number of sheltered bays for large-scale activities in the sea. Land-based mariculture offers potential, particularly in the south-western Cape. Marketing the products though, could prove to be challenging.

The coast offers significant mineral resources. Along northern and central parts of the West Coast, diamonds are mined on the sea-shore and seabed. On the East Coast, and to a lesser extent along the West Coast, heavy minerals, titanium and zirconium in particular, are extracted from beach and dune sands. Other important minerals include offshore deposits of oil and gas, most notably giving rise to the Mossgas operation on the South Coast. Smaller scale mining includes the extraction of salt from seawater, and the mining of sand and pebbles for construction material or cement production. Other mineral resources present on the seabed are manganese nodules and phosphorite. The resultant dune mining has an impact on the pristine coastal dune forests, especially on the east coast. Mining companies are now implementing programmes to rehabilitate the affected areas. Offshore oil and gas exploration also result disturbance and degradation of benthic marine
communities.

Fisheries is a relatively small sector within the national economy of South Africa. It is estimated that the South African Fishing Industry generates some ZAR 1.7 billion wholesale revenue per annum to South Africaís Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Its contribution is thus 0.3 percent of the overall GDP of South Africa. Expansion of the fishing industry, however, is limited by the natural productive capacity and sustainability of the living marine resources. Some 27,000 direct jobs are created by the industry and a further 100,000 people are estimated to indirectly generate an income from the industry. Limitations are also placed by the need to manage and conserve this resource so that it can be viably economically sustained over a long-term basis. The Benguela fisheries of the West Coast support the bulk of the industry, but smaller commercial fisheries are also located on the South and East Coasts. Recreational fishing attracts more than 600,000 enthusiasts and employs more than 131,000 people. This activity is especially popular on the KwaZulu-Natal coast.

The methods for sustainable use and conservation are laid down mainly in the form of the regulations of the Marine Living Resources Act 18 of 1998, which effectively control all aspects of exploitation as well as placing safeguards to protect marine ecosystems within South Africaís regions of jurisdiction.

The major land-based pollutants are wastewater from industries and sewerage as well as run off from agricultural lands and urban areas which may reach the coast directly, via storm water drains and pipelines, or indirectly from run off via rivers and seepage. The main mechanisms for controlling pollution from land-based
activities are the provisions for controlling the use of water for a wide range of industrial (which has been very broadly defined) purposes. Water use, which has potential pollution impacts, requires licensing under the National Water Act (36 of 1998). Of particular relevance to coastal pollution are regulations in the National Water Act that determine the quality of wastewater that may be discharged into freshwater resources and the sea. All waste discharges must meet a set of water quality criteria, and where the waste is to be discharged into certain sensitive rivers, a set of more stringent water quality controls are applied. Water quality criteria for seawater is available.

Certain activities, related to water use, such as sewerage treatment plants, are controlled in terms of regulations promulgated by the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism in September 1997 under the Environment Conservation Act 73 (1989). 

Storm water run off from urban areas is recognised as a major cause of water pollution effecting coastal waters that is both diffuse in origin and difficult to control.

Since 1965, fourteen major deep sea outfalls have been constructed in South Africa, which discharge industrial and sewage waste water in excess of 600,000 m3 per day. There are also a number of outfalls with shorter pipelines along the coast, some discharging within the surf zone. In total, marine outfalls account for approximately eighty-six percent of the total discharges. 

Despite public opposition, outfalls remain a viable option for effluent disposal in South Africa. South Africa has a very high energy coastline, and waste water diffuses readily within the oceanic waters. Current volumes discharged appear to cause little environmental pollution, but this may change as volumes increase.

Significant discharge of waste water from industrial and domestic premises is regulated through a licensing procedure, under which potential impacts on other users are assessed before permission to discharge is obtained. Contamination of edible fish, shellfish and other food sources, as well as environmental and human health
risk, are additional factors to be considered when licensing a sea discharge.

The primary sources of sea-based pollution are from the shipping industry. This includes accidental oil spills, deliberate discharge of oily wastes from ships at sea, deliberate discharge of ballast water, plastics and other pollutants released from ships, and ship maintenance activities. 

South Africa is situated on one of the major global oil tanker routes which, together with its notoriously rough sea conditions, makes it highly vulnerable to oil spills. This is reflected in the relatively high number of shipping accidents which have been recorded in our waters, although some of the worst incidents have been as a result of the foundering of bulk carriers rather than oil tankers. Possibly the most significant recent accident was the sinking of the Apollo Sea, an oil carrier, which resulted in the spilling of 2,400 tonnes of heavy fuel oil. This oil contaminated most of the beaches along the west coast of the Cape Peninsula, including its most famous tourist beaches, and necessitated a cleanup which lasted 18 months and cost ZAR 25 million.

Another concern is the discharge of ballast water into coastal waters. Some 20 million tonnes of ballast water are discharged annually, primarily into Richards Bay and Saldanha Bay. This is a particular threat in Saldanha, where there is a thriving mariculture industry, and which has experienced a number of unexplained algal blooms in the past few years.

Other areas of concern include anti-fouling paints, and hull cleaning activities, which, together with ballast water discharges, are largely unregulated at present.

The major projects and activities to solve pollution problems include: a GEF-funded project on Ballast Water Management, oil spill response training (at regional level), a Danish Cooperation for Environment and Development (DANCED) project to look at the introduction of cleaner technology in the South African fishing
industry, and the development of waste minimisation strategy, to introduce cleaner technology, notably within industrial activities. 

Priority constraints to implementing effective programmes to address integrated coastal zone, marine environmental protection, and sustainable use and conservation of marine living resources include: weak implementation actions and enforcement of legislation due to capacity limitations, availability of resources,
development of systems for monitoring and measurement of impacts; inadequately controlled development with insufficient attention being given to environmental considerations; lack of strategic planning; lack of resources (human, infrastructure and budgetary); existing Off-road Vehicle Policy not yet implemented fully; fragmented legislation; inadequate control measures; lack of environmental data (historical and real-time) in some sectors; lack of coordination between government departments, the public and private sector; lack of structures to involve civil society and consequent low level of commitment from communities; lack
of national coordination and integration of economic, social and environmental policies; lack of adequate vessel monitoring and control systems; inability to ensure competent marine control and inspection services; lack of marine patrol vessels and concomitant inability to control fishing in all parts of the Exclusive Economic
Zone (EEZ); threat of declining safety standards; lack of ballast water management; insufficient monitoring of the (physical) environment which affects the efficiency of warning systems, both weather and waves; substandard ships, which present safety and / or pollution risks; research constraints in terms of technology, best
management practices and socio-economic dynamics; lack of maritime air surveillance as well as naval forces; and inadequate data and information on population and development interrelationships.  

Capacity-building, education, training and awareness-raising

The CoastCARE programme of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism is a broad-based information exchange, public awareness, education and capacity-building programme. It not only targets policy-makers, but also the general public, and has achieved considerable success over the past five years, since it
has been initiated by DEA & T in 1993. CoastCARE has the following main objectives: to promote optimum awareness of the coastal zone so that its resources can be managed and developed in a sustainable way; to play a dynamic role in the exchange of information amongst all interested and affected parties; to facilitate
the education of the diverse coastal communities through individually designed projects; to form a bridge of communication between scientists and other role players; and to coordinate relevant associated projects to promote consistency and integration on a national level. The main focus area of CoastCARE is thus capacity building, education and training and creating wider public awareness of the coast as a national asset with special management needs and of the need for, aims and objectives of coastal management in South Africa. 

Diverse target groups for the various CoastCARE projects have been identified. These include: local, provincial and national authorities; coastal communities and residents; national and international tourists; subsistence and recreational resource gatherers; property developers; industry; the scientific community; the youth; students on all levels; conservation officials; law enforcement officers and legal fraternity; politicians; non-governmental organisations and community-based organisations. 

In reaching out to these groups, tailor-made projects have been developed by CoastCARE over the last five years and are in various stages of implementation. Some of these projects include: a Technical Manual for Coastal Management managers in local and provincial authorities as well as coastal engineers, town planners, developers and other decision-makers in this field; formal and informal training courses for students, mid-career professionals, the legal fraternity and coastal communities; a national needs assessment and prioritisation for all educational and training needs in the field of coastal and marine management. This is done
in cooperation with the South African Network for Coastal and Oceanic Research (SANCOR); interactive multi-media displays (an ongoing educational programme at the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town aimed at school groups and the general public); a national interpretive signage project along the coast of South Africa; a national beach clean-up day; a series of popular booklets on coastal issues in South Africa; an educational video series; computerised information packages for schools and tertiary institutions; a series of fact sheets on Coastal Management topics ; and an Internet website containing information on the National
Coastal Management Office, to name but a few of the current CoastCARE initiatives. 

All these projects are developed and workshopped with other role players and tested out in communities or institutions. As a result of severe manpower and budgetary constraints, CoastCARE is very dependent on strong partnerships with a variety of organisations and other role players. These include the private sector, government, non-governmental organisations and research and academic institutions. 

Through the CoastCARE Programme, various popular pamphlets and displays were prepared, in order to raise awareness of some of the pertinent coastal management issues. CoastCARE, together with SANCOR, Oceanographic Research Institution (ORI) and Sea Fisheries, are working on joint programs to highlight the International Year of the Ocean. Sea Fisheries prepared a popular display and some brochures. Another joint initiative is the preparation of fact sheets to make scientific information available on various aspects of the coastal and marine environment. There was also a series of public exhibitions, such as on the Waterfront in Cape Town and inputs at the Expo98 in Lisbon, Portugal. The International Year of the Ocean will be further highlighted at the forthcoming Conference on Cooperation for Development and Protection of the Coastal and Marine Environment in Sub-Saharan Africa, to be held in Cape Town on 30 November to 4 December 1998. This conference is organised by the Advisory Committee on the Protection of the Sea (ACOPS), in association with the
Government of South Africa and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Technology

South Africa currently has a number of dedicated dispersant spraying vessels which are used in the response to oil spills at sea. The dispersants are manufactured locally, and the manufacturers are at present involved in developing a new type three dispersant, which will be in line with international developments. There are
also a number of other private sector initiatives aimed at producing oil spill response equipment such as booms and skimmers in South Africa.

The National Waste Minimisation Strategy aims to promote the use of cleaner technology in all sectors - through financial, legislative and institutional interventions, including phase out of priority waste streams, a national voluntary waste minimisation initiative, and a partnership programme between large companies, who share waste minimisation expertise with smaller companies.

Selection of technology can be influenced by the requirement for cleaner waste discharge, and some technology is increasingly and actively discouraged by national Departments, including the DEA &T and DWAF.

Cost-effectiveness, responsiveness for use in emergency situations and long lifespan are also determining factors.

Information

National information to assist both decision-makers and planners working in coastal areas related to sustainable management of fishery resources is provided by the Gilchrist Library at Sea Fisheries is the national repository for information on sustainable management of South Africaís fishing resources; and FISHLIT, a
literature database maintained by the Ichthyology Department, Rhodes University.

There is very limited information on marine pollution available at a national level. Most monitoring is done at the level of individual outfalls. There is, however, a mussel watch programme in the Cape Peninsula, which will hopefully be expanded to the national level in the near future. It is also planned to establish a national
database to consolidate information on coastal water quality status from a variety of sources. 

Information on off-shore resources like diamonds and oil/gas as well as on coastal resources like heavy metals can be obtained from the DME Minerals Bureau, as well as from the Council for Geoscience. 

Information on living resources other than fish is available from the Gilchrist Library at Sea Fisheries. Also, comprehensive data on marine ecosystems is available at marine research institutes such as University of Cape Town, University of the Western Cape, Oceanographic Research Institute, etc.

There are no comprehensive databases containing information on critical uncertainties, but numerous individual time-series databases are available at a large number of different research institutes. Coordination, assimilation and analysis/interpretation is a requirement which can probably be met by out-sourcing. A
comprehensive report on Sea-level rise and its potential physical impacts on the shoreline of KwaZulu-Natal was commissioned by the Town and Regional Planning Commission. The report is aimed at facilitating optimum coastal zone management. The report, in map form, provides an atlas of the KwaZulu-Natal coast and details the possible future shoreline positioning far as one metre rise in sea-level.

An Estuarine Health index was developed to assess the state of South African Estuaries. A comprehensive inventory and database, covering more than 200 estuaries have been completed. The information will be available in Geographic Information System (GIS) and Internet format before 2000. 

The DEA & T has initiated the Environmental Potential Atlas (ENPAT) Programme, which is a database of environmental information on a national level. This information is provided on a Geographical Information System (GIS) platform, with a menu-driven interface for easy access and visualisation. At the moment, the ENPAT data is available on request and on CD-Rom. It is envisaged that this data will be available on the DEA & Tís World Wide Web Site in due course. 

Another project is the Decision Support System (DSS) for Local and Provincial authorities, to assist them in their decision-making process. This DSS however currently only pertains to the areas declared as SCAís in terms of the SCA Regulations. It is currently available in a beta format and is available to Local and Provincial Authorities on CD-Rom. The DSS as well as other information pertaining to the coastal management will soon be available on a website.

The National Land-Cover Database (NLC) has been produced as a joint venture between the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), with additional funding support from the Department of  Agriculture, the DEA & T, DWAF and the South African National
Defence Force. The primary objective of the NLC project is to produce a standardised land-cover database (with more than 25 land-cover classes, based on the Food and Agricultural Organisationís classification system) for all of South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho. The land-cover database has been derived from a new series of 1: 250 000 scale geo-rectified space maps, based on seasonally standardised, single date LANDSAT Thematic Mapper satellite imagery, captured during the period 1994-1995. The digital data is supplied in GIS-based vector formats.

The DEA & T is developing a comprehensive State of the Environment Report for the Internet, to be completed by the end of 1999. 

South Africa, through the DEA & T is assisting in testing the proposed list of sustainability indicators of the Commission on Sustainable Development. An expert workshop, focussing on environmental indicators was held in October 1998. The aim of the workshop was to discuss the environmental indicators in the CSD list, and to propose alternative indicators. Experts in the areas of coastal management participated in the workshop with the specific aim to debate indicators related to oceans and seas. 

Financing

The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism is funded by national government funds. As a result of severe budgetary constraints, the DEA & T relies on partnerships with the private sector and other institutions to fulfil its obligations and to complete relevant projects. In terms of Coastal Management for example, the British Department for International Development (DFID) is funding the current Coastal policy formulation programme. At provincial level, a small percentage of their budgets is also indirectly spent on Coastal Management related projects. Sea Fisheries is also involved in a number of GEF-funded projects and DANCED has also provided a substantial amount of assistance for the development of the Pollution and Waste Management Strategy. 

Cooperation

South Africa acceded to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (Bonn Convention) in December 1991. The Fifth Conference of the Parties in 1997 elected South Africa the alternate member of the Standing Committee for the Africa region.

South Africa participated in the 1973 Washington Conference during which the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was drafted, and ratified the convention in 1975. 

South Africa signed the Antarctic Treaty on 21June 1961. 

South Africa ratified the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar Convention) in March 1975. 

South Africa ratified the Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal (Basel Convention) in May 1994.

Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was signed in June 1993 and ratified on 2 November 1995. 

South Africa was one of 15 nations to sign the International Whaling Commission (IWC) Convention in December 1946. 

South Africa ratified the Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC) on 29 August 1997.

South Africa ratified the Convention concerning the protection of the world cultural and natural heritage (World Heritage Convention) on 10 July 1997.

Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter was ratified in September 1978. The convention is brought into force locally in terms of the Dumping at Sea Control Act, 1980 (Act 73 of 1980) which came into force on 23 April 1982. South Africa was also a signatory to the 1996 Protocol which will eventually replace the current convention. The protocol was opened for ratification in April 1997 and DEAT is in the process of getting Parliamentary approval for ratification. 

South Africa obtained membership in the IUCN in 1973.  Approval has been given for the establishment of an IUCN Country Office in South Africa. 

Signing the agreement Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and is currently under consideration and a recommendation to that effect has been made to Cabinet International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT): South Africa acceded to the convention in October 1967 and ratified it in 1970.

South East Atlantic Fisheries Regional Organisation (SEAFRO): Negotiations between coastal countries of the region (Angola, Namibia, South Africa, United Kingdom) have started and a draft convention is being compiled.

South Africa is currently exploring the possibility of accession to the Convention for the Protection, Management and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the Eastern African Region and related Protocols.

(Nairobi Convention); and to the Convention for Cooperation in the Protection and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the West and Central African Region and its related Protocol (Abidjan Convention).

Bi-lateral agreements and collaboration are described in the following: 

Negotiations are going on with France regarding funding to replace the coastal patrol vessel fleet. Either outright funding or a joint venture between France and South Africa as to shipbuilding is being sought.

A cooperation agreement in environmental matters with Israel has entered into force. Areas covered include integrated pollution control, nature conservation (including biodiversity), solid, hazardous and liquid waste management, coastal zone management, promotion of public participation, environmental impact assessment, environmental monitoring methods and surveillance, development of environmentally sound technologies, desertification and afforestation, environmental legislation and cooperation in global environmental projects.

A cooperation agreement with Mozambique in the fields of environment, tourism and water affairs has entered into force. The following areas affecting us are included: Maputo Corridor; studies of siltation, erosion, pollution, bathimetry in Maputo harbour and Maputo Bay; geological evolution of the Mozambique coastal plain and coastal lagoons and the Mozambique continental shelf; regional contingency planning regarding major oil spills; urban environmental management; regional climate change and paleoflood studies; seismological monitoring to assist in seismic hazard determination.

A German-South African Bi-National Commission has been established. An agreement on environmental cooperation has been negotiated in the following fields: air pollution monitoring and control; conservation and sustainable use of natural resources; management of solid wastes; pollution abatement and prevention; energy efficiency; management of ecosystems including environmentally sound tourism. Germany, through GTZ, has provided South Africa with DM 400,000 (ZAR 1,040,000) for mitigation measures for the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change. The money is administered through the Foundation for Development. Germany has also been approached separately to assist SA in keeping the pilot rainfall enhancement programme based on hygroscopic seeding
of summer convective clouds going. An amount of R 14,000,000 for the whole programme is involved part of which is funded by the Weather Bureau.

A USA-South Africa Bi-National Commission is in place. South Africa co-chairs the Conservation, Environment and Water Committee which has working groups on Oceans and Atmosphere, Fisheries, Water, Environmental Management and Pollution Control, and Nature Conservation and Ecotourism. A large number of projects have been identified and put on the table but thus far the assistance has been limited to the exchange of visits, expertise and study tours. The American Country Study Programme has made available (separate from the BNC) an amount of R1 125,000 for the implementation of the Framework
Convention on Climate Change. The funding is administered by the Foundation for Research Development.

A joint commission of cooperation has been established with the Palestinian National Authority covering a variety of fields including environmental management, tourism development and archaeological aspects. An exploratory visit to Gaza and the West Bank was undertaken under the auspices of the Department of
Foreign Affairs to define projects for possible cooperation, technical training and transfer of expertise. These areas of cooperation will be embodied in a cooperation agreement which will be signed at a later stage.

An agreement with Zimbabwe on a joint commission for economic, technical, scientific and natural cooperation addresses, for example river catchment management, national parks and wildlife management and forestry. Tourism is also covered through joint marketing and promotion, training, cross-border tour
operations and African language training for tour guides.

An agreement with Sweden on cooperation in a joint venture in Antarctica involves cooperation as far as logistic matters are concerned such as sharing ships time and helicopter support services.

Other bilateral, multilateral and international cooperation in which South Africa participates in order to further activities related to sustainable development and use of oceans and coastal areas include the following: 

With regard to regional cooperation, the African Ministerial Conference on Environment (AMCEN), and meetings of the UNEP are attended, depending on the themes of the meetings. In sub-regional context, South Africa is a member of the South African Development Community (SADC).

The Marine Pollution Division of the DEA & T is involved in a World Bank funded project to provide oil spill response training in the Indian Ocean Islands.

One of the priority areas identified by the South African Government in promoting and funding cooperative ventures in the fields of science and technology with foreign countries is the the sustainable management of environmental issues and of natural resources - energy, water, coastal resources, through
environment-friendly technologies.
 
 
 
 
 
 

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