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5.4 Exploitation of living marine resources
Legislative context
The exploitation of marine living resources in South Africa (which includes those in estuaries) is
governed by the Marine Fisheries Policy for South Africa (1997) and the Marine Living
Resources Act (1998). Objectives of the policy are as follows:
to achieve optimum utilisation and ecologically sustainable development of marine living
resources;
to conserve marine living resources for present and future generations, to use marine
living resources;
to achieve economic growth, human resource development, capacity building within
fisheries and mariculture branches, employment creation and a sound ecological balance
consistent with the development objectives of national governments;
to protect the ecosystem as a whole, including species which area not targeted for
exploitation; and
to preserve marine biodiversity.
The Marine Living Resources Act (1998) defines the species that can be exploited, and
protection measures for those species, such as closed areas, closed seasons and size and bag
limits. Various types of resource-use permit systems are also defined under this act.
Issues surrounding recreational fishing
Compared to other estuaries along the southwest and east coasts, the Uilkraals Estuary is
currently utilised by a relatively low number of recreational fishers. This situation could
change in the future depending on how development in the area proceeds.
Due to the large number of participants, and associated expenditure (tackle, bait,
accommodation, food, travel costs), recreational fisheries have been shown to contribute
significantly to regional economies (Mann et al. 2002, Lamberth & Turpie 2003, Pradervand et
al. 2003). It has been shown that the demand for recreational angling is largely driven by a
desire for relaxation and that the quantity of fish caught does not negatively affect the
expenditure by recreational anglers (McGrath et al. 1997). Increased tourism and real estate
development along the banks of the Uilkraals Estuary could lead to increases in recreational
fishing effort.
5.5 Land use and management of estuary margins
Legislative context
Land use management and control of development in the coastal zone is mostly the
responsibility of the provincial government and local authorities (municipalities), and is
administered through the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act (2000), the National
Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act (2009), the Seashore Act
(1935), the National Environmental Management Act (2003) (NEMA) and associated EIA
regulations.
Uilkraals Estuary Situation Assessment
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