Programme director
Executive Director, Plastics SA: Anton Hanekom;
Division of Environmental Policy Implementation, UNEP: Heidi Savelli;
Chief Director: Oceans & Coastal Research: Mr André Share;
Head Research & Knowledge: SANBI: Carmel Lue-Mbizvo;
Delegates;
Distinguished guests;
Members of the media;
Ladies and gentlemen
Good morning!
Let me start by extending our warmth welcome on behalf of the government of the Republic of South Africa and the Ministry of Water and Environmental Affairs.
I am told that amongst us here today we have delegates from Australia, Belguim, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Germany, Kenya, Nigeria and the Seychelles.
The African Summit on Marine Debris takes place just a day after the World Environmental Day celebrations themed: Think, Eat, Save. In South Africa the month of June is commemorated as both Environmental and Youth Month.
I am gratified to be part of this auspicious event that is looking at a human impact on the environment that is mainly unseen, that of marine debris.
Marine debris is not just an unsightly issue having a negative impact on tourism and human health but it also is responsible for deaths of a myriad of the creatures that inhabit the marine environment.
I am reminded again that 80 percent of all plastic found in the sea has its origins on land through littering and poor waste management so this negative impact on the environment can be reduced and even stopped.
The Department of Environmental Affairs through the Branch: Oceans and Coasts is entrusted with the primary mandate of overseeing the development and implementation of relevant policies to protect, conserve and sustainably utilise resources of South Africa’s ocean environment.
Linked to this conference is also the mandate for effective management of chemicals and waste ensuring access to a safe and healthy environment. The Department of Environmental Affairs through its programme Chemicals and Waste Management seeks to ensure the development and implementation of effective chemicals and waste management instruments.
I am also pleased to see that some of the projects in our extended public works programmes such as Working for the Coast are represented here this week.
The marine environment has many challenges. Global warming is visible within this sphere and its impact is slowly being understood. Overfishing, acidification, chemical pollution with the added pollution of marine debris of which the main product is plastic is compounding the negative effect that humans have on the environment.
It is a pleasure that we can partner with the Plastics Industry to work at various methods to mitigate the issue of plastics and other waste material finding its way to the sea.
It is also a pleasure to see that the industry joining in this fight to combat marine debris on a global level as this is a global problem.
With economies in Africa growing steadfastly the issue of littering and increased waste management will become more critical. With this will be the increase of material finding its way to the sea. Africa must not join the rest of the world using the sea as dumping area for its waste material.
In October 2012 the department finalised and published the Green Paper on the National Environmental Management of the Ocean (NEMO) for public comment. This is part of our continuing efforts towards development and implementation of a comprehensive regulatory system to manage, protect and conserve our ocean environment.
We have started working towards the finalisation of the white paper on oceans management and in the following years continue working towards the drafting and promulgation of oceans management legislation.
Availability of up to date and relevant science based information is critical for policy decision making and to enable effective management and conservation of our ocean and coastal environment. The department will continue to maintain and enhance its research capacity and the undertaking of research activities to ensure that policy interventions on oceans and coastal management are based on the latest scientific evidence.
This conference will assist in this responsibility of ensuring relevant information on the issue is available.
The department will continue working together with other spheres of government and key stakeholders such as the plastics industry to ensure that we develop and implement effective waste management strategies and a cleaner and safer environment.
In conclusion, I would like to wish you well on your deliberations during the African Summit on Marine Debris.
I thank you.
For media quiries, contact:
Peter Mbelengwa
Cell: 082 611 8197
