To establish a system of integrated coastal and estuarine management in the Republic, including norms, standards and policies, in order to promote the conservation of the coastal environment, and maintain the natural attributes of coastal landscapes and seascapes, and to ensure that development and the use of natural resources within the coastal zone is socially and economically justifiable and ecologically sustainable; to define rights and duties in relation to coastal areas; to determine the responsibilities of organs of state in relation to coastal areas; to prohibit incineration at sea; to control dumping at sea, pollution in the coastal zone, inappropriate development of the coastal environment and other adverse effects on the coastal environment; to give effect to South Africa's international obligations in relation to coastal matters; and to provide for matters connected therewith.

Latest Developments:

The National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act, 2008 (Act No. 24 of 2008), has been updated the Coastal Management Line for Garden Route National Park in terms of section 25(1) read with section 25(5)(a) of the Act, as per Notice No. R.3668, GG48959, dated 14 July 2023.

The National Environmental Management Laws Amendment Act, 2022 (No. 2 of 2022) has updated and made Amendments to:

National Environmental Management Act 1998

National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act 2003

National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act 2004

National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act 2004

National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act 2008

National Environmental Management: Waste Management Act 2008 - Effective 30 June 2023 (save for certain sections) per Proclamation 125 of GG48869 -

as per Notice No. 2203 of GG46602, dated 24 June 2022.

The National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act, 2008 (Act No. 24 of 2008), has been updated with a General Discharge Authorisation in terms of Section 69(2), as per Notice No. 2290, GG47019, dated 15 July 2022.

The National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act, 2008 (Act No. 24 of 2008) has been amended by Publication of the Delegation of Powers in terms of Section 89(1) (c ) – Regulations 4,5,6 and 8 of the control of use of vehicles in the Coastal Area Regulations, Notice No. R. 641, Government Gazette 44881, dated 23 July 2021.

The National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act, 2008 (Act No. 24 of 2008) has been amended by Reclamation of Land from Coastal Waters Regulations, Notice No. R. 206, Government Gazette 41489, dated 09 March 2018.

The National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act, 2008 (Act No. 24 of 2008) has been amended by Dumping at Sea Regulations, Notice No. 711, Government Gazette 40996, dated 21 July 2017.