16 September - International
Day for the Protection of the Ozone Layer
14 September 2007 - Media Statement
Department of Environmental Affairs and
Tourism
FRIDAY, 14 September 2007: The United Nations
declared the 16th of September as the International
Day for the Protection of the Ozone Layer,
to commemorate the day when the Montreal
Protocol was first signed. The Protocol
currently has 191 parties and South Africa
became a signatory in January 11000. This
international agreement was put in place
to control the production and the use of
ozone-depleting substances such as chlorofluorocarbons,
CFCs. These anthropogenic substances are
responsible for the destruction of the earth’s
ozone layer which protects life from the
harmful solar ultraviolet radiation.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of
the Protocol and the theme is: “Celebrating
20 Years of Progress in 2007”. Delegates
from different countries around the world
will once again convene in Montreal, this
time to celebrate and reflect on the progress
that has been made to combat the negative
effects of ozone-depleting substances on
our planet. The honourable Deputy Minister
of Environmental affairs and Tourism, Ms
Rejoice Mabudafhasi who has been at the
forefront of the efforts will be part of
the delegates.
Through the Protocol, the international
community has taken a great step in protecting
the fragile ozone layer. Indeed this success
is a testimony of what cooperation by international
community can achieve.
Since the establishment of the Protocol,
South Africa has succeeded in implementing
the Protocol and has achieved the following
with voluntarily cooperation mainly from
industry:
In 1986 CFCs were completely phased out
in aerosols and were replaced by hydrocarbon
and hydroflourocarbons propellants which
are ozone friendly.
Metered dose inhalers which contained CFCs
are no longer manufactured in the country.
The usage of ozone-depleting substances
as solvents has been very drastically reduced
And by 2000 all imports of CFCs in solvent
sector were terminated.
South Africa phased out halons in 1994
which are used in fire fighting. The Halon
Bank of Southern Africa was inaugurated
in March 1994, following a mandate from
the SA Montreal Protocol Working Group for
Fire Protection. The Bank was set up as
a non-profit organisation initially under
the auspices of the Department of National
Health and now the Department of Environmental
Affairs and Tourism.
In order to address the usage of CFCs in
refrigeration and air-conditioning in South
Africa, the industry has organised itself
into several working groups, which promote
phasing out of ozone-depleting substances
in refrigeration and recommending suitable
alternative refrigerants.
Methyl bromide which is also listed under
the Montreal Protocol as an ozone-depleting
substance is a fumigant that is been used
commercially to control a wide spectrum
of pests including fungi, bacteria, soil-borne
viruses, insects, and mites. An intensive
survey was conducted during 1999/2000 to
establish the consumption patterns of methyl
bromide for 1997 and 1998. The study has
shown that about 75% of Methyl bromide is
used for soil fumigation, 11% for fumigation
of structures, and the remaining is used
for durable products such as beans and nuts
as well as for quarantine and pre-shipment
treatment. Although methyl bromide is a
versatile, cost effective with many applications
particularly in the field of agriculture,
however like all other signatories to the
Protocol South Africa will have to phase
out methyl bromide by 2015.
South Africa is in the fortunate position
that it is well ahead of the normal phase
out schedules for developing countries due
to its initial classification as a developed
country. However, it cannot rest on its
laurels since there are still many ozone-depleting
substances that must be phased out.
The country is invited to devote the 16
September each year to promote activities
in accordance with the objectives of the
Montreal Protocol and its amendments.
Mava Scott (Acting Chief Director: Communications)
+ More
MINISTER PUBLISHES POLICY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT
OF A SUSTAINABLE MARINE AQUACULTURE SECTOR
IN SOUTH AFRICA
10 September 2007 - MINISTER PUBLISHES
POLICY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SUSTAINABLE
MARINE AQUACULTURE SECTOR IN SOUTH AFRICA
The Minister of Environmental Affairs and
Tourism has published the Policy for the
Development of a Sustainable Marne Aquaculture
Sector In South Africa on Friday 7 September
2007 following the completion of a two-year
intensive stakeholder engagement process.
The main purpose of the policy is to encourage
acceleration of the development of the marine
aquaculture industry. It is further aimed
at promoting the development of an economically
sustainable and globally competitive industry
with minimum negative impact on the environment.
Marine Aquaculture presents an opportunity
to substantially increase the diversity
of economic activity in coastal areas specifically
where declining fish stocks and shifts in
distribution of certain fish species have
led to job losses and economic hardships
for people who historically found employment
in the fishing industry. The industry also
has potential to create skills based employment
and income for coastal communities.
The key objectives are to:
create an enabling environment that will
promote the growth of marine aquaculture
in South Africa and enhance the industry's
contribution to economic growth
promote transformation and broader participation
in the aquaculture industry
support and develop regulatory and management
mechanisms aimed at avoiding or minimizing
adverse environmental impacts; and
expand the resources base from a few species
currently being farmed to a more diverse
array of species.
The policy will be complemented by a Marine
Aquaculture Development Plan which will
outline strategies for its practical implementation.
+ More
Coastal Clean-up Campaign: Invitation to
Join the Monwabisi Beach Clean Up
12 September 2007 - Media Statement
Department of Environmental Affairs and
Tourism
WEDNESDAY, 12 SEPTEMBER 2007: The Coastal
Cleanup campaign which forms part of the
National Clean-up Campaign launched by Deputy
Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi last week in Limpopo
Province, is in full swing since Monday
10 September 2007 with hundreds of volunteers
involved in cleaning South Africa's beaches,
waterways and most of the country's 300km
coastline. On Friday 14 September the Department
will also be cleaning up Monwabisi beach
in Kayelitsha, Western Cape from 10:00 -
12:00.
Other coastal cleanups are also happening
around the country in the Eastern Cape,
Kwazulu Natal and the Northen Cape during
this week.
The Coastal Cleanup is aimed to engage
people to remove trash and debris from our
beaches and waterways, to identify the sources
of debris and to encourage change behaviour
that causes pollution. It is not only about
pollution clean-up but also about prevention,
in educating and empowering people to become
part of the pollution solution.
Nearly 80% of marine pollution comes from
land-based sources and activities, and the
bulk of this is plastic.
The Department of Environmental Affairs
and Tourism invites you to be part of a
beach clean up on Friday 14 September 2007
at Monwabisi Beach, Kayelitsha, Western
Cape Town from 10:00-12:00.
Mava Scott (Acting Chief Director: Communications)
