The Department of Environmental Affairs Deputy Director General of Oceans and Coasts Branch, Dr Monde Mayekiso engaged with various stakeholders following the gazetting of White Paper on the National Environmental Management of the Ocean (NEMO) for implementation in Port Elizabeth today, Monday, 9 June 2014.
The NEMO was approved by Cabinet in December 2013, and aims to govern activities and role players with a stake in the ocean, in order to ensure optimal and sustainable use of the marine environment. The National Development Plan identified ocean economy as one of the key drivers to eliminate poverty and reduce inequality by 2030. “A number of key areas such as Aquaculture, Marine Transport, Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration would be crucial in growing the economy providing much needed jobs and improving prosperity while ensuring environmental sustainability and integrity.
The implementation of NEMO will play a crucial role in ensuring an effective and efficient governance of ocean activities for optimal and sustainable outcomes and benefits,” said Dr Mayekiso. The policy is in accordance with the South African constitution and is relevant to international laws, domestic legislation which includes the National Environment Act and associated supporting legislations.
As a result of the growing global interest in the concept of the blue economy and oceans as a resource for unlocking such potential, the South African government is in the process of developing a blue economy strategy. South Africa has large ocean spaces and we are beginning to appreciate the value of this vital national asset and how it can contribute to our livelihoods and economy.
Technology is unlocking the resources that lie within our ocean and the sustainable use of these resources will have a meaningful contribution towards our ability to create jobs in years to come. Much of our ocean remains unexplored and therefore there is a need to urgently gather information and describe what resources are available and how they can be used sustainably.
Prior to the engagement with the stakeholders, the department joined the rest of the world in celebrating the annual World Oceans Day (WOD) at the Bayworld Aquarium in Port Elizabeth. This year’s WOD was celebrated under the theme: Together we have the power to protect our ocean, which recognises the impact of climate change on our oceans and our people. As part of the celebrations the department also held information sessions on the 7th of June with youth from the New Brighton area and its surrounds, where department officials interacted with pupils from various schools with an aim to create an interest in the learners to pursue a career in the environment sector.
As the three day celebrations drew to an end the Department of Environmental Affairs looked forward to working with other departments and government agencies to effectively explore the use, protection and management of our precious oceans.
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