National Framework for Marine Spatial Planning in South Africa

The Department of Environmental Affairs has published the draft National Framework for Marine Spatial Planning in South Africa for comments. "This framework is the national guide for Marine Spatial Planning in South Africa’s ocean territory. It provides high-level direction for undertaking Marine Spatial Planning in the context of the South African legislation and policies as well as existing planning regimes. It describes the process for the preparation of Marine Area plans and their implementation, in order to ensure consistency in Marine Spatial Planning across the South African ocean territory.

The framework will facilitate the development, implementation, monitoring and revision of Marine Area plans. Through this Marine Spatial Planning system, the sustainable development of South Africa’s ocean territory will be enabled. Marine Spatial Planning will provide the following benefits for the South African nation: Facilitate the unlocking of the ocean economy and sustainable ocean economic development; Enhance the achievement of societal benefits and strengthen the level of society’s interaction with the ocean; Promote a healthy marine environment and the sustainable use of marine resources; and Contribute to good ocean governance."