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Coastal Tourism: Planning
What DLIST users say… “From the Namibian perspective, I do think that we need to get our legislation in order first. That way the jurisdiction over the dune belt will be clearly determined, (and) the use of various areas in the dune belt will be defined (…).”



Contingency plan: Dune belt area between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay (Namibia) A number of focused meetings (facilitated by NACOMA) were held over the festive season in 2006 and recommendations were put together to be shared with the Ministry of Environment and Tourism and the Council of the Municipality of Walvis Bay. This committee will continue its work through the year peaking over holidays and long weekends.

The actions taken were to develop, produce and place signage strategically, improve on pamphlet developed by Municipality of Walvis Bay, demarcate dune areas for ORVs (Namib Film) based on draft regulations and zoning plan and help motivate enforcement agencies. The cabled off Damara Tern breeding areas were repaired and new signage added. A press and radio campaign was initiated. Tour operators offered evening talks on biodiversity and general ORV behaviour ethics (Tommy’s Tours and Desert Explorers).

Main recommendations were to get GRN to clarify ownership and mandates, approve draft regulations and move on proclamation of the area under the Walvis Bay Nature Reserve.
Download the Contingency Plan and Meeting Minutes here.

Provincial guidelines: Planning, managing and assessing of off-road routes in the Western Cape Province (South Africa) The Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEA&DP) released in 2006 a Guideline Series addressing the planning, management and assessment of off-road routes in the Province. The series includes guidelines for route planners and operators, environmental practitioners and authorities, and recreational trail users.
Download the guide for route planners and operators here, the guide for environmental assessment practitioners, authorities and route planners here, the practical guide for recreational trail users here, and an introductory letter to stakeholders here.

Guidelines on the Implementation of Regulations Pertaining to the Control of Vehicles in the Coastal Zone (South Africa)
These guidelines were published in December 2004 to explain how the regulations on ORVs will be implemented in respect of the permissible use of vehicles in the coastal zone, the designation of recreational use areas, vehicle use in the coastal zone under permit, licences for boat launching, and exemptions. Download the guidelines here.

NEMA—Regulations for the Control of Vehicles in the Coastal Zone. Changes in Ecological and Socio-economic Conditions in the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park since Implementation of the Regulations Following the publication of the revised South African regulations governing the use of vehicles for recreational purposes in the coastal zone in 2004, the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism commissioned a study to test the validity of public statements and perceptions concerning the positive and negative effects of the “beach-driving ban”. Using the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park as a case study, the report concluded that the ban has led to positive ecological effects but that the socio-economic negative effects need to be addressed.
Download the report here.

Regulations in South Africa
  • Integrated Coastal Management Bill for Comments (gazetted on 15 December 2006 for a 90 day public comment period). Download the Bill for Comments (Part 1 and Part 2) and the Guide for the Public Participation Process. Comments are needed no later than 15 March.
  • Regulations in terms of the National Environmental Management Act, 1988: Control of Vehicles in the Coastal Zone (No. 1399 of 21 December 2001). Click here to download.
  • Amendments to the above regulations (No. R. 1426 of 7 December 2004). Click here to download.
  • Provincial and local by-laws should be looked into seriously by the various kiosks or “task forces” on the coast.
More? Send your ideas and material to admin@dlist-benguela.org