Please comment on the Ocean Economy ‘Master Plan’ to 2035
This Draft report has been prepared by Nelson Mandela University’s Strategic Resource Mobilisation and Advancement program for further ‘consultation’ (it’s only written in English) and ‘co-creation’ with the DFFE Oceans Economy Workings Groups and stakeholders. It does not constitute a formal policy or policy position of the South African Governments. Each of these documents has within it sections devoted to offshore oil and gas, which seems strongly delusional given this sector directly and indirectly threatens blue carbon ecosystems through contributing to ocean warming, acidification, deoxygenation and pollution.
The latest IPCC report, approved by 195 countries, confirms that globally we are already warming at 1.1°C and that “losses and damages escalate with every increment of global warming”. The ocean is the life-blood of the planet so every action to prevent further emissions is crucial.
Considering that the public has been given only 10 days comment on this plan with massive implications for the marine environment, coastal communities and ghg emissions it would be reasonable to request at least 30 days extension for the comment period.
The Master Plan consists of four documents, which you can access here:
- SA Ocean Economy Master Plan_Draft 3
Please send your comments in to by 11 March 2022:
Mr André Share
Head: Oceans Economy
Operation Phakisa: Oceans Economy
Coordinator: IORA Working Group on the Blue Economy (IORA-WGBE)
Department of Forestry, Fisheries & the Environment
Environment House
473 Steve Biko Street
PRETORIA
0001
TEL: 012-399 8958 and 021-819 2607/4
Cell: 082 789 4135 / +27 82 789 4135
Email: ashare@environment.gov.za
http://www.environment.gov.za and http://www.operationphakisa.gov.za
or:
Dr Denver Webb
Senior Director: Strategic Resource Mobilisation and Advancement
Tel: 041-504 3661
denver.webb@mandela.ac.za
8 March 2022
Mr André Share
Head: Oceans Economy
Operation Phakisa: Oceans Economy
Coordinator: IORA Working Group on the Blue Economy (IORA-WGBE)
Department of Forestry, Fisheries & the Environment
Environment House
473 Steve Biko Street
PRETORIA
0001
www.environment.gov.za and www.operationphakisa.gov.za
Dear Mr Share or Dr Webb,
Request for 30 day extension for submissions on South Africa’s Oceans Economy Master Plan to 2035 Draft 3 v1
It has come to our attention that only certain stakeholders have been invited to comment on the above-mentioned plan.
Please can you advise us as to when this will be open for public comment, and if not now, why not?
If it is currently open for public comment it is our request that the comment period be extended for at least 30 days given the massive implications for the marine environment, coastal communities and ghg emissions that the plan entails.
We look forward to your response, and would appreciate a reply before the 11th.
Sincerely and with thanks,
Oceans Not Oil 