The ''Marine Living Resources Act, 18 of 1998'' is a South African

statutory law Statutory law or statute law is written law passed by a body of legislature. This is opposed to oral or customary law; or regulatory law promulgated by the executive or common law of the judiciary. Statutes may originate with national, state legi ...

to provide for the conservation of the

marine ecosystem Marine ecosystems are the largest of Earth's aquatic ecosystems and exist in waters that have a high salt content. These systems contrast with freshwater ecosystems, which have a lower salt content. Marine waters cover more than 70% of the surf ...

and sustainable utilisation of marine living resources within the

territorial waters The term territorial waters is sometimes used informally to refer to any area of water over which a sovereign state has jurisdiction, including internal waters, the territorial sea, the contiguous zone, the exclusive economic zone, and potenti ...

and exclusive economic zone of the Republic of South Africa.

Purpose

The purpose as stated in the preamble is:

To provide for the conservation of the marine ecosystem, the long-term sustainable utilisation of marine living resources and the orderly access to exploitation, utilisation and protection of certain marine living resources; and for these purposes to provide for the exercise of control over marine living resources in a fair and equitable manner to the benefit of all the citizens of South Africa; and to provide for matters connected therewith.

Promulgation

The act was published in Gazette No. 18930, as Notice No 747, with Commencement date 1 September 1998, and is amended by: * Marine Living Resources Amendment Act 68 of 2000, published in Gazette No. 21844, Notice No. 1315. * National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act 57 of 2003, published as Government Notice 445 in Government Gazette 37710 of 2 June 2014 * Marine Living Resources Amendment Act 5 of 2014, published as Government Notice 383 in Government Gazette 37659 of 19 May 2014

References

{{SA law Marine protected areas of South Africa Law of South Africa Marine conservation Marine biodiversity of South Africa