KwaZulu-Natal’s coast is a priceless treasure where many of our people live, work and spend leisure time. Our coast creates development opportunities and delivers services that support a great many livelihoods. It has been estimated that our coastal environment generates goods and services in excess of R60 billion per year. But, our coast is an asset which is too often taken for granted. So, today we celebrate our coast with pride.
The popularity of our coast has resulted in a high population density with increasing levels of development and urbanisation. While all of this contributes to the province’s growth and economic development, we must make sure not to kill the goose that lays the golden egg! The more pressure we exert on the coast, the more likely we are to exceed the coast’s carrying capacity which would make us more vulnerable to the potential effects of climate change, sea-level rise and coastal erosion. Unless our coast is sustainably managed, we will lose this priceless treasure.
The coast therefore needs to be managed as an integrated system in order to make optimal use of the opportunities and services it provides. In light of these growing pressures on the coastal environment, and in keeping with international best practice, South Africa has developed and enacted the Integrated Coastal Management Act. This piece of legislation is very important for the KZN coastal zone in that it ensures integrated and holistic management of the coastal and estuarine environments, and entrenches the principles of cooperative governance. The Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs and Rural Development is responsible for the implementation of this Act in KZN, and works closely with both national and local government.
The department:
- provides specialist support and advice on coastal management
- supports district Coastal Working Groups
- ensures that coastal management principles and practices are incorporated into municipal and district IDPs
- provides management and specialist support for coastal management programmes in the province
- provides strategic support to biodiversity and special area management programmes managed by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife
- supports the development of sustainable coastal livelihood programmes and
- undertakes education and awareness programmes for the coast – including the popular Ulwandle coastal newsletter.
In 1996, the province started its integrated management approach of the coastal zone with the establishment of the country’s first Provincial Coastal Committee (PCC). Now, 15 years later we are in the process of re-affirming and strengthening the PCC to meet the requirements of the ICM Act. We are also finalising an exciting new Coastal Management Programme that will spell out our work plan over the next few years, including steps to better monitor the state of our coast and to develop products and tools that will help to create a greater sense of awareness of the coast amongst all our people.
KZN has always been a leading authority and contributor to coastal management in South Africa. Today marks yet another example of our leadership, foresight and innovation with the launch of two very valuable products:
1. A guide titled ‘Understanding our Coast’ and
2. An interactive computer-based tool called the Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI) viewer.
These products are part of real teamwork. The department prides itself on its relationships and interactions, from specialists in the field to stakeholders. We have established strong partnerships with organisations that have a sound working knowledge of the dynamic KZN coastal and marine environment. A significant ongoing partnership is the current support and working relationship we have with the Oceanographic Research Institute (ORI). For many years ORI has generated valuable scientific information to support this department’s activities, including collaboration with Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife. This includes the training of many local scientists through partnerships with the University of KwaZulu-Natal. ORI is part of the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR) with its Sea World and Marine Education departments. Together, they play an important role in the protection of our coast and raising the awareness of our people, especially the youth.
As part of this collaboration the department and ORI have developed the two key tools that are being launched today.
The ‘Understanding our Coast’ guide is the first product of its kind in South Africa and bridges the gap in ensuring that everyone understands why our coast is a unique asset, which must be managed as such. It is hoped that this document lays the foundation for a change in attitude and behaviour towards this special place we call Our Coast. This is the first release of the guide and over the coming months we will ensure that it reaches as wide an audience as possible.
The Coastal Vulnerability Index viewer is a landmark decision-support tool for the management of KwaZulu-Natal’s coastal zone. It enables our coastal managers to better assess the risk and vulnerability of our coast to the potential effects of future extreme storm and erosion events, such as what we experienced in March 2007. The tool will be rolled out to all local and district municipalities along the coast and over the coming months we will provide interactive training and guidance on its use and interpretation. It is also envisaged that over time the tool will be accessible to members of the public.
In so doing, we will be building capacity to make proactive, informed planning decisions and contribute to the long-term sustainability of our coast in light of the challenges posed by climate change and sea-level rise.
As you will know by now, eThekwini Municipality was awarded the right to host the Seventeenth Conference of the Parties (COP 17) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in December 2011. This conference presents an opportunity from which to raise awareness around climate change and to promote our own work as an example to others. I am glad that we have started this important year on the correct footing, and it is therefore my pleasure to officially launch these tools.
Let us celebrate and use these tools to take joint ownership of our coast and better manage our future.
OUR COAST, OUR FUTURE.
Sekunjalo
