Merle Sowman

Coastal and fisheries co-management in South Africa: an overview and analysis

The newly elected democratic government of South Africa, has promulgated new policies and legislation which advocate alternative approaches to resource management which involve user groups. Co-management has been identified as one such strategy. An overview and analysis of selected coastal and fisheries co-management case studies in South Africa is given and key lessons are highlighted. Research findings indicate that co-management in South Africa is still in its infancy, making it difficult to provide conclusive statements about its success or failure. Nevertheless, the paper highlights some of the key conditions that are required for co-management to operate effectively in South Africa and some of the existing obstacles to practical implementation.

Mainstreaming environmental sustainability into South Africa's integrated development planning process

Abstract The advent of democracy in South Africa in 1994 has resulted in a radical law reform process, new systems of governance, and significantly transformed planning and decision-making processes. At the same time, principles of sustainability, integration, participation, social and environmental justice have also been placed squarely on the South African political agenda. Local government has become the intended focal point for addressing the socio-economic needs of local communities and sustainable service delivery, with the principal tool for achieving these developmental objectives the Integrated Development Plan (IDP). This paper examines the available policy frameworks, including those at the national level, guiding incorporation of environmental sustainability considerations into IDPs and highlights difficulties of achieving this in practice. Ideas for moving beyond rhetoric to practical mainstreaming of environmental sustainability considerations in IDPs are provided.

A procedure for assessing recreational carrying capacity of coastal resort areas

Abstract Increased recreational pressure in coastal areas adjacent to resort towns has in many areas resulted in degradation of the resource and a reduction in the quality of the recreation experience. It is therefore imperative that recreation planners and decision-makers determine the appropriate level of recreational use that can be sustained by the coastal resources of an area before approving applications to extend resort towns and expand recreational facilities. In this paper, a systematic procedure for assessing recreational carrying capacity of coastal resort areas is described. The concept of recreational carrying capacity as used in the assessment procedure is defined and problems associated with its interpretation and practical application in planning and decision-making are discussed. The procedure proposes a series of linked activities comprising nine consecutive stages and relies on data obtained at previous stages to advance to succeeding stages. The procedure seeks to acquire pertinent information, ascertain current recreational pressure, project resource demands, and assess the physical, ecological and social carrying capacity of the area for major recreational activities. Constraints associated with the development proposal are identified and finally the appropriate level of recreational use for the area is determined.

Marine protected area management in South Africa: new policies, old paradigms.

A historical perspective on MPA identification and governance in South Africa reflects the continued influence of a top-down and natural science-based paradigm, that has hardly changed over the past half century, despite the wealth of literature, and a growing consensus, that advocates the need to adopt a more integrated and human-centered approach. Based on extensive research in two coastal fishing communities, the paper highlights impacts and conflicts arising from this conventional approach to MPA identification, planning and management. It argues that failure to understand the particular fishery system in all its complexity, in particular the human dimensions, and involve resource users in planning and decision-making processes, undermines efforts to achieve conservation and fisheries management objectives. The customary rights of local resource users, and their food and livelihood needs in relation to marine resources, need to be acknowledged, prioritized and integrated into planning and decision-making processes. Convincing ecologists, fisheries scientists and managers, that MPA success depends on addressing the root causes of resource decline and incorporating social factors into MPA identification, planning and management, remains a huge challenge in South Africa.

Participation of disadvantaged communities in project planning and decision‐making: A case‐study of Hout Bay

Opportunities for public involvement in planning and decision‐making, especially among disadvantaged groups, are extremely limited in South Africa. This is due to a highly centralised, deeply authoritarian and secretive system of government, and the elitist approach of professionals to planning. This article examines the challenges facing professionals and authorities seeking to involve disadvantaged communities in project planning. An assessment of the public participation process in a project for resettling informal settlers in the residential area of Hout Bay affords some ideas for surmounting obstacles to effective participation.

The status of coastal zone management in South Africa

Abstract In this article, an overview of the status of coastal zone management (CZM) in South Africa is presented. Firstly, it provides background to the development of various initiatives to promote sustainable use of coastal resources within the context of sociopolitical changes in South Africa. Thereafter, it examines the progress made with respect to key attributes underpinning most CZM programs. Finally, it identifies obstacles to achieving effective CZM in South Africa and makes recommendations to address these shortcomings. The review reveals that whilst considerable progress has been made in certain areas of program development, such as resource conservation and pollution control, there are several gaps and inadequacies within existing efforts. These include the absence of a clear policy to guide efforts, lack of coordination amongst government departments involved in CZM, as well as inadequacies in our legal and administrative system. The promulgation of a Coastal Zone Management Act and the esta...

The panel evaluation method: An approach to evaluating controversial resource allocation proposals

Abstract The Panel Evaluation Method was developed to deal with complex and controversial resource allocation proposals. It links and extends the capabilities of Environmental Impact Assessment and Cost-Benefit Analysis, accomplishing a comprehensive and systematic evaluation of competing proposals. The paper focuses on the Significance Measurement Technique, which was designed to determine the relative significance of impacts so that proposals could be ranked according to the efficiency criterion. It is shown to produce replicable measurements of efficiency, thus providing a satisfactory means of assessing the benefits and costs of a proposal. This paper also reports on an investigation undertaken to further test the reliability of PEM.

Environmental sustainability and land reform in South Africa: A neglected dimension

Abstract Despite supportive policy frameworks and increased environmental awareness, a growing body of evidence indicates that environmental sustainability is not central to planning and decision-making processes in land reform in South Africa. Increasing pressures on government to meet land reform targets, cumbersome and often inappropriate environmental assessment procedures, and a confusing multitude of laws all contribute to neglect of long-term environmental sustainability considerations in land reform. This is exacerbated by poor recognition of resource rights, a lack of proactive and pre-emptive environmental management plans, and insufficient implementation capacity. This paper argues that the early incorporation of environmental sustainability issues in pre-settlement and post-settlement land reform planning processes could significantly improve the environmental, social and economic outcomes of these projects. A simple, participant-driven environmental sustainability assessment tool is proposed to achieve these environmental and developmental goals.

Extending the capability of the component interaction matrix as a technique for addressing secondary impacts in environmental assessment

There are few simple and efficient techniques available for the identification of secondary impacts during the scoping stage of environmental impact assessments. The component interaction technique has therefore been developed to structure a preliminary investigation of secondary impacts. The technique is based on the component interaction matrix, first described as an aid to environmental assessment by Ross in 1974. The environment is modelled as a list of components, and direct dependencies between these components are then recorded. Computerized matrix powering procedures are employed to structure the data to facilitate an investigation of the secondary impact potential in the system. Chains of dependence between components can be traced, and components can be ranked in order of their ability to initiate secondary impacts, or their susceptibility to secondary impacts. The procedures essential to the definition of the component interaction matrix ensure that the preliminary analysis of secondary impacts is based on a comprehensive and structured consideration of the environment. The technique is designed to complement the use of any of the wide range of impact analysis methods currently employed, but which are unable to consider secondary impacts.

Governability Challenges Facing Small-Scale Fishers Living Adjacent to Marine Protected Areas in South Africa

The governability of small-scale fisheries located adjacent to Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in South Africa has increasingly come under scrutiny as communities, social science researchers, NGOs and human rights activists challenge current governance approaches that disregard the socio-cultural rights and livelihood needs of fishing communities living within or adjacent to MPAs. Drawing on research conducted in seven case studies in South Africa, this chapter explores the current mismatch between the realities facing fishing communities impacted by MPAs and the state-centric and natural science-based approach to governance adopted by South Africa’s fisheries management and conservation authorities. This approach to MPA governance persists despite a suite of policy reforms and political rhetoric that indicates the embrace of a more people-centred approach to natural resource governance. The key focus of this chapter is to gain a deeper understanding as to why this mismatch persists despite almost 20 years of democracy and policy reforms. While the devastating impact of South Africa’s political history is evident in all cases, other factors that inhibit meaningful change and formation of robust governance systems, are highlighted. These include the persistence of a natural-science paradigm; the divergent principles, values, worldviews and images amongst governance actors; institutional shortcomings; failure to recognize and respect local and customary forms of governance; and the lack of attention to implementation mechanisms that are informed by all governance actors.