Integrating Indigenous and local knowledge in marine spatial planning

This policy brief outlines six key actions to better integrate Indigenous and local knowledge (ILK) holders into marine spatial planning (MSP) in South Africa. Based on a collaborative effort in Algoa Bay, the document argues that current ocean governance often neglects ILK and cultural heritage, recommending co-development of plans, increased transparency, improved data accessibility, and legislative alignment between the MSP Act and the Indigenous Knowledge Act.

• Marine spatial planning (MSP) and Marine Protected Area management plans must be co-developed with Indigenous and local knowledge holders from the start to ensure they are context-specific and equitable. This requires adequate resources, including funds, time, and skills, to account for the diverse socio-cultural and historical backgrounds of stakeholders.
• There is a need for increased transparency and two-way communication between coastal authorities and stakeholders to overcome suspicion caused by a history of racism and exclusion. The brief advocates for collaborative engagement—rather than one-way 'information sharing'—utilizing in-person meetings, workshops, and active coastal committees.
• The National Oceans and Coastal Information Management System (OCIMS) Marine Spatial Planning Support Viewer Decision Support Tool (DeST) currently relies primarily on quantitative ecological data. To be inclusive, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment should integrate qualitative socio-cultural data and make the tool accessible via data-free phone applications and translations into primary South African languages.
• To redress the impact of colonial and apartheid legislation like the Group Areas Act (1950), the brief recommends designating specific coastal and marine zonation for cultural practices and religious rituals. This could involve collaborating with the South African Heritage Resources Agency to nominate these areas as National Heritage Sites.
• The Marine Spatial Planning Act, 16 of 2018 (MSP Act) should be used to review and revise other environmental instruments that limit Indigenous communities' access to coastal areas. The brief suggests adopting co-management approaches and ensuring that conservation laws do not automatically result in the exclusion of local communities.
• Stronger alignment is needed between the MSP Act and the Protection, Promotion, Development and Management of Indigenous Knowledge Act, 6 of 2019. Specifically, the brief recommends that regulations require consultation with the National Indigenous Knowledge Systems Office (NIKSO) and that a NIKSO representative be included in the National Working Group (NWG) on MSP.

APA

Dow, T., Hambaze, N., Human, E., Human, P., Klaas, U., Koekemoer, G., la Grange, L., Links, B., Magewu, S., Maibelo, H., Mazibuko, M., Mcoli, A., Murevanhema, C., Ndamse, M., Nkaki, F., Nonyane, C., Ntabeni, S., Peter, A., Piliso, N., ... Wood, A. (2023). Integrating Indigenous and local knowledge in marine spatial planning. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/research/integrating-indigenous-and-local-knowledge-in-marine-spatial-planning/

Chicago

Dow, T, N Hambaze, E Human, PC Human, U Klaas, G Koekemoer, L la Grange, et al. Integrating Indigenous and local knowledge in marine spatial planning. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2023. https://saiia.org.za/research/integrating-indigenous-and-local-knowledge-in-marine-spatial-planning/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Dow |first1=T |last2=Hambaze |first2=N |last3=Human |first3=E |last4=Human |first4=PC |last5=Klaas |first5=U |last6=Koekemoer |first6=G |last7=la Grange |first7=L |last8=Links |first8=B |last9=Magewu |first9=S |display-authors=etal |title=Integrating Indigenous and local knowledge in marine spatial planning |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=28 April 2023 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/integrating-indigenous-and-local-knowledge-in-marine-spatial-planning/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{dow2023integrating, author = {Dow, T and Hambaze, N and Human, E and Human, PC and Klaas, U and Koekemoer, G and la Grange, L and Links, B and Magewu, S and Maibelo, H and Mazibuko, MP and Mcoli, AA and Murevanhema, C and Ndamse, M and Nkaki, FK and Nonyane, CL and Ntabeni, S and Peter, A and Piliso, N and Plaatjies, AA and Pressly, K and Ramakulukusha, M and Rump, J and Sotyelelwa, X and (Deon), D Spandiel and (Delene), D Spandiel and Speelman, E and Swartbooi, T and Taylor, G and van Staden, K and van Vught, H and Waite, A and Wallace, J and Wood, A}, title = {{Integrating Indigenous and local knowledge in marine spatial planning}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2023}, month = apr, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/integrating-indigenous-and-local-knowledge-in-marine-spatial-planning/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }