New marine protected area drafted
People have until early May to submit written representations on the proposed iSimangaliso Marine Protected Area
DRAFT regulations on the proposed iSimangaliso Marine Protected Area (MPA) have been published for public comment.
People have 90 days from the date of publication to submit written representations.
The Department of Environmental Affairs intends to withdraw the existing St Lucia and Maputaland MPAs and declare the iSimangaliso MPA.
From the Mozambique border in the north, the MPA will stretch 34 nautical miles east, and from the Cape St Lucia Lighthouse in the south will stretch 58 nautical miles east.
An in-shore area will be divided into three in-shore controlled zones, eight in-shore controlled pelagic zones and one in-shore wilderness zone.
An off-shore area will be divided into three controlled zones, six controlled pelagic zones, two sanctuary zones, one wilderness and one restricted zone.
Traversing the MPA will be restricted to vessels carrying certificates of competence and fitness, and vessels displaying marking that is approved in accordance with the Merchant Shipping Act 1951 or international equivalent.
No scientific research will be allowed unless permitted by the Minister of Environmental Affairs or the management authority. There will be no mooring or anchoring unless authorised, but verbal authorisations must be confirmed in writing.
Vessels will be launched only at designated launch sites.
There will be no fishing permitted in in-shore or off-shore sanctuary zones, nor any wilderness or off-shore restricted zones.
Anglers will be permitted to fish from a vessel or the shore in controlled and controlled pelagic zones only if in possession of a valid recreational fishing permit issued in terms of the Marine Living Resources Act.
Similarly, small scale fishers must possess a valid small scale fishing permit issued in terms of the same Act. There will be no recreational fishing in these zones between sunset and sunrise unless permitted by the management authority.
There will be no scuba diving allowed in sanctuary zones and only divers with management-issued permits may dive in wilderness, restricted, controlled or controlled pelagic zones.
iSimangaliso has been formally designated as the management authority for the iSimangaliso MPA.
More information can be found in the Government Gazette on the DEA’s website.
The document was published on 3 February by the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA). Written representations can be emailed to MPARegs@environment.gov.za.
