National Environment Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act, 2008 (Act No. 24 of 2008)Chapter 2 : Coastal ZonePart 6 : Special management areas23. Declaration of special management areas |
| (a) | declare an area that is wholly or partially within the coastal zone to be a special management area; or |
| (b) | withdraw or amend any declaration made in terms of paragraph (a). |
| (2) | Before declaring an area to be a special management area, the Minister must give interested and affected parties an opportunity to make representations in accordance with Part 5 of Chapter 6. |
| (3) | An area may be declared as a special management area only if environmental, cultural or socio-economic conditions in that area require the introduction of measures which are necessary in order to more effectively— |
| (a) | attain the objectives of any coastal management programme in the area; |
| (b) | facilitate the management of coastal resources by a local community; |
| (c) | promote sustainable livelihoods for a local community; or |
| (d) | conserve, protect or enhance coastal ecosystems and biodiversity in the area. |
| (4) | The Minister may prescribe specified activities which are prohibited in special management areas taking into account the purpose for which the special management area was declared. |