Ramaphosa signs amendment bill to safeguard coastlines

South Africa’s oceans, stretching over 3,000 km of coastline, are crucial to the country’s economy and environment.

The country’s marine economy supports around 400,000 jobs in industries like shipping, fisheries, and tourism.

As such, these sectors depend on clean, healthy oceans to thrive.

SA’s oceans only really have two enemies to date: climate change and irresponsible capitalists.

It is for this reason that the country has taken a major step forward in protecting its coastlines and marine life.

Earlier this week, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Marine Pollution (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Amendment Bill into law.

This groundbreaking legislation is designed to strengthen the fight against ship-related pollution along the country’s coastline, from Namibia on the Atlantic coast to Mozambique on the Indian Ocean.

SA will no longer be taking the abuse of its coastlines, lying down.

OUTDATED OCEAN PROTECTION LAWS

For years, South Africa has relied on the original Marine Pollution Act to address pollution caused by ships.

While the Act provided a legal framework to prevent oil spills and manage waste from vessels, it was not comprehensive enough to tackle new and emerging environmental threats.

According to SA’s environmentalists, the old legal framework lacked provisions to deal with modern challenges like greenhouse gas emissions and the safe disposal of sewage from ships.

The new Amendment Bill closes these gaps.

SA’s government explained that the bill had to be amended to align South African law with international standards and give it more teeth to combat pollution.

“The Amendment Bill now includes Annex IV and Annex VI of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships.

“Annex IV introduces rules for the treatment and safe disposal of sewage from ships, ensuring that human waste does not contaminate our oceans.

“ Annex VI focuses on energy efficiency and reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions from ships. This makes the law not just about protecting marine ecosystems but also about addressing climate change,” SA’s presidency explained.

NEW POWER GIVEN TO MINISTER OF TRANSPORT

One of the key changes in the amended law is the increased authority given to the Minister of Transport.

The minister now has broader powers to create regulations aimed at preventing air pollution and sewage discharge from ships.

“This ensures that South Africa can respond quickly and effectively to new threats to its marine environment,” the Presidency said.

Another significant update is the increase in penalties for those who violate the law. Under the original Act, fines were capped at R500,000.

The new law raises this to a staggering R10 million for serious offences. This sends a clear message: South Africa will not tolerate polluters.

The Amendment Bill is not just about protecting marine life; it’s about safeguarding livelihoods and future economic opportunities.

Environmentalists have hailed the new law as a win for both people and the planet. The country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) is one of the largest in the world, and its rich marine biodiversity is a national treasure. The amended law ensures that these resources are better protected for future generations.