Integrated Coastal Management Act

The ICM Act provides for the holistic management of the coast and estuarine areas as an integrated system, through participation by all stakeholders (public, NGOs, Local, Provincial and National government) to ensure the protection of the environment and its natural ecosystem functioning, while promoting sustainable development in the use of coastal resources.

National Environmental: Integrated Coastal Management Act

Original Act 24 of 2008 | Amendment Act 36 of 2014 | ICM Act including amendments (consolidated by the University of Pretoria)

To establish a system of integrated coastal and estuarine management in the Republic, including norms, standards and policies, in order to promote the conservation of the coastal environment, and maintain the natural attributes of coastal landscapes and seascapes, and to ensure that development and the use of natural resources within the coastal zone is socially and economically justifiable and ecologically sustainable; to define rights and duties in relation to coastal areas; to determine the responsibilities of organs of state in relation to coastal areas; to prohibit incineration at sea; to control dumping at sea, pollution in the coastal zone, inappropriate development of the coastal environment and other adverse effects on the coastal environment; to give effect to South Africa’s international obligations in relation to coastal matters; and to provide for matters connected therewith.

The purpose of the Act is to:

to determine the coastal zone of the Republic;
to provide, within the framework of the National Environmental Management Act, for the coordinated and integrated management of the coastal zone by all spheres of government in accordance with the principles of co-operative governance;
to preserve, protect, extend and enhance the status of coastal public property as being held in trust by the State on behalf of all South Africans, including future generations;
to secure equitable access to the opportunities and benefits of coastal public property;
to provide for the establishment, use and management of the coastal protection zone; and
to give effect to the Republic’s obligations in terms of international law regarding coastal management and the marine environment.