South Africa Strengthens Marine Pollution Legislation

South Africa is ramping up efforts to combat climate change and ocean pollution with the recent signing of the Marine Pollution (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Amendment Bill into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The bill aligns the country’s laws with the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), addressing both sewage and air pollution from ships. It incorporates Annex IV, which governs sewage management, and Annex VI, which targets greenhouse gas emissions and energy efficiency.

Janine Osborne, Chief Executive Officer of the Sustainable Seas Trust (SST), welcomed the development: “The amendment strengthens South Africa’s marine environmental protection and aligns it with international standards. It’s a timely response to growing marine pollution challenges.”

South Africa boasts a coastline of over 3,000 kilometres and a large Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Marine-based industries, including shipping, fisheries and tourism, contribute significantly to the economy and supported approximately 400,000 jobs in 2022.

The new legislation increases penalties for environmental offences — raising fines from R500,000 to R10 million and prison sentences from five to ten years. Osborne believes these penalties will act as strong deterrents, but stressed that their success depends on effective enforcement and monitoring.

“The government’s commitment is evident, but implementation will be the true test,” she said. “Robust oversight, consistent enforcement, and transparency are essential to ensuring that this legislation produces meaningful change.”

Marine pollution remains a serious concern in South Africa, particularly from plastic waste. Osborne noted that recent estimates suggest between 15,000 and 40,000 tonnes of plastic waste enter the country’s oceans annually, a marked reduction from earlier figures but still significant.

In response, SST continues to promote public education through programmes like Munch and the African Waste Academy, which support environmental education in schools and provide free training on waste management.

Environment Month, commemorated every June, highlights these issues. This year’s theme was echoed in the launch of the National Clean Cities and Towns Campaign in Kliptown by Deputy President Paul Mashatile. The initiative promotes citizen-driven clean-ups and long-term sustainability.

Osborne also acknowledged the broader efforts being made by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, particularly through Operation Phakisa and the Climate Change Coastal Adaptation Response Plan. These initiatives aim to unlock R177 billion in GDP and create up to one million jobs by 2033.

While legislation like the Marine Pollution Amendment Act marks a major stride, Osborne cautions that success will require broad collaboration: “Laws alone won’t solve our problems — we need public participation, responsible behaviour, and cross-sector partnerships to protect our oceans for generations to come.”