NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: INTEGRATED COASTAL MANAGEMENT ACT 24 OF 2008: THE NATIONAL ESTUARINE MANAGEMENT PROTOCOL
Notice Title: National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act, 24 of 2008: The National Estuarine Management Protocol
Government Notice: GN 533 in GG 44724 on 18 June 2021
Commencing date: 18 June 2021
The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, published the National Estuarine Management Protocol (“the Protocol”) in terms of section 33(2) of the National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act, 24 of 2008 (“ICMA”) for implementation.
The ICMA requires estuaries of the Republic to be managed in a co-ordinated and efficient manner. The Protocol provides guidance for the management of estuaries through the development and implementation of estuarine management plans (“EMPs”). The EMPs seek to achieve greater harmony between ecological processes and human activities while accommodating orderly and balanced estuarine resource utilisation.
The purpose of the Protocol is to:
- Determine a strategic vision and objectives for achieving effective integrated management of estuaries;
- Set standards for the management of estuaries;
- Establish procedures or provide guidance regarding how estuaries must be managed and how the management responsibilities are to be exercised by different organs of state and other parties;
- Establish minimum requirements for estuarine management plans;
- Identify who must prepare estuarine management plans and the process to be followed in doing so; and
- Specify the process for reviewing estuarine management plans to ensure that they comply with the requirements of the ICMA.
For a copy of the Government Gazette Notice click here.
How to ensure compliance at my operations?
Designated governmental management authorities are responsible for the development and implementation of estuarine management plans.
For more information or assistance please contact Jan Nel at jan@shangoni.co.za
