NATURAL JUSTICE COMMENTARY ON THE MARINE POLLUTION (PREVENTION OF POLLUTION FROM SHIPS) AMENDMENT BILL (B5-2022)

Natural Justice argues that the Marine Pollution (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Amendment Bill (B5-2022) requires stronger penalties, better enforcement mechanisms, and more transparent exemptions to effectively protect South Africa's marine ecosystems. The organization specifically criticizes exemptions for ship trials and offshore mineral processing as contradictory to South Africa's Paris Agreement commitments and the national energy transition. It further calls for the inclusion of local communities and traditional leaders in the legislative process and the involvement of local authorities and specialized maritime police in enforcement.

• Natural Justice suggests that the proposed increase of the maximum fine to R10,000,000 and the maximum sentence to ten years is insufficient, arguing that the cap should be removed entirely or raised further because pollution costs can exceed R10 million.
• The organization recommends introducing a minimum penalty to ensure a significant deterrent effect, citing China's Marine Environment Protection Law as an example where a minimum fine of approximately R76,000 is set.
• Natural Justice contends that the Bill's provision exempting ship trials from certain Annex requirements for up to five years is too broad and conflicts with South Africa's Paris Agreement pledge to reduce carbon emissions by 50%.
• The document argues for the total repeal of the exemption for the exploration, exploitation, and offshore processing of sea-bed mineral resources, stating it provides an absolute exemption from emissions restrictions and incentivizes the fossil fuel industry against the country's energy transition goals.
• There is a reported lack of a centralized agency to enforce marine protection compliance, leading Natural Justice to recommend the involvement of police, local authorities, and the creation of specialized maritime police to patrol coastal lines.
• Natural Justice asserts that the Bill was drafted without consulting local communities, such as those in South Durban and the Western Coast, and insists it should be referred to the National House of Traditional Leaders.

APA

Natural Justice (n.d.). NATURAL JUSTICE COMMENTARY ON THE MARINE POLLUTION (PREVENTION OF POLLUTION FROM SHIPS) AMENDMENT BILL (B5-2022). https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Comments-on-Marine-Pollution-Amendment-Bill-B5-2022.pdf

Chicago

Natural Justice. NATURAL JUSTICE COMMENTARY ON THE MARINE POLLUTION (PREVENTION OF POLLUTION FROM SHIPS) AMENDMENT BILL (B5-2022). n.d. https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Comments-on-Marine-Pollution-Amendment-Bill-B5-2022.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Natural Justice |title=NATURAL JUSTICE COMMENTARY ON THE MARINE POLLUTION (PREVENTION OF POLLUTION FROM SHIPS) AMENDMENT BILL (B5-2022) |url=https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Comments-on-Marine-Pollution-Amendment-Bill-B5-2022.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{naturaljusticendnatural, author = {{Natural Justice}}, title = {{NATURAL JUSTICE COMMENTARY ON THE MARINE POLLUTION (PREVENTION OF POLLUTION FROM SHIPS) AMENDMENT BILL (B5-2022)}}, publisher = {Natural Justice}, url = {https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Comments-on-Marine-Pollution-Amendment-Bill-B5-2022.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }