Volume II - The Northern Cape Provincial Spatial Development ...

Northern Cape PSDF
Volume 2
December 2011
shore sediments hold rich deposits of precious minerals (particularly diamonds) as well as oil
and gas reserves. This massive ecosystem contains numerous endangered and vulnerable
species, as well as a few altered food webs and migrations of fish, bird and animals due to
the El Niño 10 events. Among the endangered species are the African penguin, the
leatherback and loggerhead turtles, and the black African oystercatcher. The Global
International Waters Assessment (GIWA) program has identified the Benguela ecosystem as
environmentally unhealthy with regard to habitat destruction and modification (including
wetlands and lagoons), as a result of the occurrence of pollution, solid wastes, radionuclides
and oils spills stemming from the heavy traffic of oil tankers past this coastal area.
Not only is the Benguela Current at a critical location in terms of the global climate system,
but its marine and coastal environments are also potentially extremely vulnerable to future
climate change or increasing variability in climate – with obvious consequences for long‐
term sustainable management of the coast and marine resources.
Although dominated by large mining and fishing companies, the Namaqualand region has
the second lowest economic growth rate in South Africa. Challenges include declining fish
stocks, poor road infrastructure, lack of sheltered bays for ports and limited agricultural
potential. With the closure of many land‐based diamond‐mining operations, extensive
rehabilitation programmes will be necessary to rehabilitate the natural environment and to
create alternative livelihoods for people. Potential exists for the harvesting of under‐utilised
coastal resources, such as mussels and limpets, for small‐scale industries that add value to
fishing and agriculture and for small‐scale mining. Other natural assets, such as the annual
wildflower display, a high diversity of succulent plant species and the stark beauty of the
area offer potential for nature‐based tourism with community participation. More equitable
distribution of mining and fishing concessions and the development of value‐added activities
could contribute to retaining revenue in local communities.
C.4.1 INSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL CONTEXT OF COASTAL MANAGEMENT
The Coastal Management Office of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
(DEAT) has a number of responsibilities relating to policy formulation, environmental
education, coordination of management activities, and international conventions, protocols
and agreements. Management functions affecting the coast are also carried out by other
offices of the DEAT, the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, the Department of
Transport, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Public Works, the Department
of Land Affairs, the Department of Minerals and Energy and other departments. Coastal
management is largely carried out through the provincial planning, environment and nature
conservation departments.
At local authority level, institutional arrangements are still in a state of transition. New
planning procedures are in the process of being implemented or developed. The application
of these procedures will significantly influence the coast and coastal management. There is a
10
El Niño is the warming of the sea‐surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean which influences
atmospheric circulation, and consequently rainfall and temperature in specific areas around the world.
This could result in droughts along Namaqualand and diminishing fish stocks with could have adverse
economic repercussions for the fishing industry.
Office of the Premier &
Department of Rural Development & Land Reform
36
Dennis Moss Partnership