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...
Marine pollution research in South Africa: a status report
We have examined trends in marine pollution research in South Africa over the past 40 years, based on analyses of the primary 
literature. There has been a striking decline in the quantity of research outputs in the past two decades. New initiatives are needed to rebuild a research culture in this discipline.
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.