Brent Newman Coastal Systems research group Council for Scientific and Industrial Research CSIR Durban South Africa Bnewmancsircoza GROWING THE SOUTH AFRICAN OCEAN ECONOMY CURRENT STATUS CONSTRAINTS AND OPPORTUNITIES ID: 615267
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Slide1
Overview of Coastal and Marine Pollution
Brent Newman
Coastal
Systems research group,
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR),
Durban, South Africa
(Bnewman@csir.co.za)
GROWING THE SOUTH AFRICAN OCEAN ECONOMY: CURRENT STATUS, CONSTRAINTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Parliamentary Portfolio Committee: Environmental Affairs
20 June 2017Slide2
What is Pollution?
Pollution is the
introduction by man, directly or indirectly, of substances or energy into the marine environment (including estuaries)
resulting in
deleterious
effects
that include
hazards
to human health, harm to living resources and to marine ecosystems, damage to amenities or interference with other legitimate uses of the sea
.
Chemical
Thermal
BiologicalSlide3
Operation Phakisa Thrusts
Six Focus Areas
Marine
Protection Services and
Governance
Marine
Transport and Manufacturing
Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration
Aquaculture
Small Harbour Development
Coastal and Marine Tourism
DEA has produced State of Oceans and Coasts reports – provides excellent broad understanding of condition of our oceans and coasts.
At this time little focus on non-biological toxins.Slide4
Sources of Coastal
and Marine Pollution
?
Major local impact, but minimal contribution in global scheme.Slide5
Land Based Discharges
About 80-100% of pollution in coastal and marine environment from land-based sources.
Wastewater discharge
Stormwater discharge
Sources of Coastal
and Marine Pollution
?Slide6
Dumping
All ports must be dredged for safe vessel navigation and development.
Contaminants transferred to disposal site in dredged material.
Sources of Coastal
and Marine Pollution
?
Dredging entrance to Durban BaySlide7
Maritime Transport
Anti-fouling coatings – estimated 42 tons of (antifouling chemicals) copper and 850 kg of
Irgarol leached into Dutch coastal waters in 2007 as a result of vessel traffic.Large number of vessels call at/pass SA annually.
Sources of Coastal
and Marine Pollution
?Slide8
Atmospheric Pollution
Atmospheric
pollution – particulates deposited in sea.
Sources of Coastal
and Marine Pollution
?Slide9
Pollution Hotspots
Pollution Hotspots
Estuarine and marine pollution hotspots focussed on cities.
In KwaZulu-Natal estuaries over a large part of the province are in a poor state = ribbon development.
Large
volumes of wastewater discharged directly or indirectly to sea each
day.
Estuarine pollution statusSlide10
Ocean Economy and Pollution
Marine Transport and Manufacturing
Strong drive for vessel and oil rig construction and repair, and hull cleaning operations in SA ports. Slide11
Ocean Economy and Pollution
Marine Transport and Manufacturing
Ballast water, hull cleaning.
Biological
pollution – invasive species
.
92 known estuarine and marine invasive
species in South Africa. Slide12
So What?
Marine Transport and Manufacturing
Sediment near all
v
essel construction and repair facilities in SA ports is contaminated, often severely.
Floating dry-dock
Paint flakes – antifouling coatingsSlide13
So What?
Marine Transport and Manufacturing
Sediment near all
v
essel construction and repair facilities in SA ports is contaminated,
often
severely. Slide14
So What?
Coastal and Marine Tourism
Bacterial and virus pollution affects tourism and cultural practices.
Main sources are contaminated river and stormwater entering sea.
Estimated Blue Flag value to Margate was
R17
-25 million in 2008.Slide15
So What?
Impacts on
Ecological Health and Tourism
Wastewater a MAJOR factor influencing state of estuaries (includes that from informal settlements).
Over-stimulation of algal growth (eutrophication)Slide16
So What?
Impacts on Livelihoods and Recreation
Estuaries and sea are connected – affect each other.
Estuaries are important nursery areas for fish, including those targeted by subsistence, recreational and commercial fisheries. Slide17
So What?
Impacts on Human Health
Insidious ecological and human health risks. Slide18
So What?
Location
Species
Meal
Limit
Durban Bay
Sphyraena jello
3
Durban Bay
Valamugil buchanani
3
Durban Bay
Myxus capensis
25
Durban Bay
Liza dumerili
4
Durban Bay
Liza
tricuspidens
2
Durban Bay
Mugil cephalus
3
Durban Bay
Pomadasys commersonnii
5
Impacts on Human Health
As few as 3 – 5 meals of some fish in Durban Bay should be consumed to limit health risks (including cancer risk) due to contaminants in their tissue.
What does this cost the economy in terms of health services, illness
etc
?
Spotted grunter -
Pomadasys
commersoniiSlide19
Ocean Economy and Pollution
Small Harbour Development
Present many of the same impacts found in large ports, but on a smaller scale.Slide20
Ocean Economy and Pollution
Aquaculture
Requires clean water.
Strict controls on seafood importation into many countries based on chemicals and bacteria in and on flesh.
DAFF currently evaluates status of seafood exports.
Conflicts = Saldanha Bay mussel and oyster ranching versus oil rig servicing drive!
Aquaculture facilities are sources of pollutants themselves!Slide21
Ocean Economy and Pollution
Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration
Little information available, but this is in its infancy in SA!
We have virtually no understanding on contaminants and pollution in
SA’s
greater
EEZ
– most studies restricted to a few kilometres at most from the shoreline.Slide22
Conclusions
Most critical issues requiring attention?
Wastewater discharge (and other) impacts on estuarine ecosystems require
URGENT ATTENTION
– requires coordinated approach between
DWS
, DEA and municipalities in terms of wastewater.
Finalise and
IMPLEMENT
Estuarine Management Plans.Slide23
Conclusions
Most critical issues requiring attention?
Plastic pollution (Peter has addressed).Slide24
Conclusions
Most critical issues requiring attention?
Green city and port planning to reduce input of contaminants via wastewater and stormwater.Slide25
Conclusions
Most critical issues requiring attention?
Working with nature in ports – think ecological in design.Slide26
Conclusions
Most critical issues requiring attention?
Fund research – we can only understand pollution impacts through measurement.
New challenges will arise.Slide27
Thank you