Coast KZN

Defining the Coastal Zone

Coastal Zone Management

The management and control of activities taking place in the coastal zone are governed under numerous Acts; with activity-based regulations; norms and standards; and guidelines having been promulgated under these Acts.

Coastal zone activities and the acts which govern these

Key Activity

Key Act/s

Lead Agency

Management of coastal access land

ICM Act

Local Government

Land reclamation

ICM Act

National Government

Coastal leases and concessions

ICM Act

National Government

Unlawful structures

ICM Act

National, provincial and local government

Off-road vehicles

ICM Act

National government

Boat launching sites

ICM Act

National and Provincial Government

Effluent discharges into coastal waters

ICM Act

National government

Dumping at sea

ICM Act

National Government

Incineration at sea

Prohibited under the ICM Act (Section 70), except under specific conditions as specified.

National government

Environmental Impact Assessment

NEMA

National Provincial and Local government

Biodiversity and protected areas management 

Biodiversity Act (10 of 2004)

National, provincial and local government

Protected Areas Act (57 of 2003) 

National, provincial and local government

Marine protected areas

Protected Areas Amendment Act (21 of 2014)

National and provincial government

Sensitive Coastal Areas

Environmental Conservation Act (73 of 1989)

National government

Heritage area management

World Heritage Convention Act (49 of 1999)

National government

National Heritage Resources Act (25 of 1999)

National government

Prevention and combating pollution from ships, including solid waste (garbage) and ballast water

International Convention for Prevention of Pollution from Ships Act (2 of 1986) 

National government

South Africa Maritime Safety Authority Act (5 of 1998)

National government

Marine Pollution (Control and Civil Liability ) Act (of 1981)

National government

Merchant Shipping Act (57 of 1951)

National government

Solid waste management (land-based)

Waste Act (59 of 2008) 

Atmospheric pollution 

Air Quality Act (39 of 2004)

National government

Control of scuba diving, whale watching and shark cage diving and other protected or threatened species

Marine Living Resources Act (MLRA) (18 of 1998, amended 2000) 

National government

Transkei Environmental Decree and legislation controlling whales, sharks sea birds

National government

State assets in coastal zone, including 12 fishing harbours

Government Immovable Asset Management Act (19 of 2007)

National government

State Land Disposal Act (48 of 1961)

National government

MLRA

National government

Fisheries Management 

MLRA

National government

Sea Fishery Act (12 of 1988)

National government

Marine aquaculture or harvesting of marine living resources (sea-based)

MLRA

National government

Harvesting of coastal resources (land-based)

Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (43 of 1983) 

National government

National Forest Act (84 of 1998)

National government

Port management

National Ports Act (12 of 2005)

National government

International Health Regulations Act (28 of 1974)

National government

Shipping

Marine Traffic Act 

National government

SAMSA Act

National government

Freshwater flows (quantity and water quality) into coastal zone 

National Water Act (36 of 1998)

National government

Mining

Minerals and Petroleum Resource Development Act (MPRDA) (28 of 2002) 

National government

Oil and gas exploration

MPRDA

National government

Coastal infrastructure (land-based) 

Municipal Systems Act 

National, provincial and local government

National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act (103 of 1977 amended 1982, 1984, 1989, 1995, 1996)

National, provincial and local government

Spatial planning and land use management Act (16 of 2013)

National, provincial and local government

Provincial Planning Acts

National, provincial and local government

Recreational Water Quality 

National Health Act (61 of 2003) 

National government

Renewable energy activities 

National Energy Act (34 of 2008)

National government