Isimangaliso, Aliwal Shoal become protected marine areas
An NGO that lobbies for environmental conservation has welcomed government's move to have more marine areas declared protected.
Environmental Affairs recently published draft notices to declare 22 of these new proposed areas protected. They include Isimangaliso Wetland Park and Aliwal Shoal in KZN. It's hoped these areas will fast-track the development of the country's ocean economy.
Coast Watch's Rod Bulman says the trick for government would not be to simply look at economic gains but to consider concerns from parties of interest.
"We would really urge government to consult with a scientific community and with civil society because there's a number of people in civil society who have a lot of information that would be of use to the state in coming up with draft regulations," he said.
(File photo)