South Africa: Select mangrove laws

Wetlands

A variety of laws impact mangrove management and protection in South Africa. Some are highlighted below.

Integrated Coastal Management Act, 2008 (No. 24 of 2008), Preamble (right to environmental protection in coastal zone); Sections 1 (coastal wetlands include adjacent mangroves), 1.3 (public trust), 1.4 (right of access), 16-17 and 22 (coastal protection zone), 21 (coastal management must be “in the interests of the whole community”), 56-57 (zoning and coastal planning), 65 (regulating coastal public property), 69-70 (incineration, coastal discharges), 68 (revoking coastal authorizations); Chapters 4 (estuary management) and 6 (integrated and cooperative coastal management); see also A User-friendly Guide to the Integrated Coastal Management Act of South Africa

National Forests Act (Act 84 of 1998), Sections 12-16 (protected tree declarations; four of the six species of mangroves present in South Africa are listed as protected pursuant to this authorization https://www.gov.zahttps://elaw.org/wp-content/uploads/archive/gcis_document/201912/42887gen635.pdf)