GOOD Statement by Kaden Arguile ,
GOOD National Youth Chairperson
31 January 2025
This week, President Ramaphosa passed the Marine Pollution (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Amendment Bill. A measure to ensure the protection of our coastlines and the delicate biodiversity that exists there. GOOD applauds the stricter punishments for ocean spillage incidents yet, the Bill continues to ignore the critical handicaps faced in this specialized field. We cannot attempt to enact this Bill without the resources, personnel or structures in place.
The key amendments are the treatment and disposal methods of sewage on ships in South Africa coastlines, reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions produced by ships, expanding the Minister of Transports’ ability to enact regulations and raising the fine amount for ships guilty of breaking these laws.
Most of these decisions finally brings South Africa up to the global standard, a decision GOOD welcomes, but our concern is with the ability to enforce the new amendments.
The recent oil spillage incident that occurred between Hout Bay and Kommetjie is a prime example. 19 African penguins (a species already facing a human-imposed extinction) were drenched in oil resulting in a rescue operation undertaken by SANCOBB (a seabird rehabilitation NPO). No ship has been identified and this has been classified as a “mystery vessel”. There have been 16 similar incidents in the past five years.
Examining our current naval capacity only disconnects these amendments from reality further. Without a significant deterrent there is nothing stopping ships becoming ‘mystery vessel’ and vanishing without repercussions.
Improving the regulatory power of the Minister of Transport is useless without a budget and task force to back it up. This step must be taken in tandem with regulatory power. The effort and financial requirement to undertake this improvement will be substantial.
While this bill is satisfying as an appetizer, the youth of this country are hungry for the main course. GOOD calls on government to expand our environmental protection fleet, work with NPO’s and scientists already working in the ocean space and show real commitment to ocean preservation so they can be enjoyed by future generations.
Media enquiries:
Kaden Arguile: GOOD National Youth Chairperson
Cell: 072 4451437
Email: kaden@forgood.org.za
Samantha Jackson, GOOD: Media Manager
Cell: 083 5509875
Email: samantha@forgood.org.za