The Role Of Pollution In The Marine Environment

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Pollution in the marine environment can be broadly categorized by origin/source, namely land-based, ship-based and atmospheric. Land-based (municipal, agricultural and industrial) waste accounts for 80% of marine pollution (UNEP, 2017). Marine, as well as coastal, pollution is detrimental to the marine and coastal environment, and resultantly has a detrimental effect on ecosystems, and organisms (humans included). It is therefore of extreme importance that legislative measures are taken in order to control and regulate marine and coastal pollution, in terms of laws and regulations. In terms of the South African Constitution (108 of 1996), Section 24 (b) (i) safeguards this, by addressing the right to have the environment protected through legislation …show more content…

Furthermore, international customary law is important in terms of regulation of marine pollution. International organizations and conventions are highly important when considering marine pollution, as these provide consensus in terms of marine pollution control and regulations. In terms of South African legislation, many of these conventions form part of the country’s legislation, generally by becoming acts, such as the Marine Pollution (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act (2 of 1986). International organizations and conventions which play a role in marine pollution regulations, control and principles …show more content…

Relevant national legislation pertaining to marine pollution control in South Africa includes but is not limited to the

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