Integrating Indigenous and local knowledge in marine spatial planning

The document argues that Indigenous and local knowledge holders have been historically marginalised in South African ocean governance and proposes a framework for their inclusion in marine spatial planning. Key recommendations include the early co-development of marine area plans, increasing transparency through two-way communication, improving the accessibility of socio-cultural data in decision tools, and designating specific coastal zones for cultural practices. It specifically suggests strengthening the legal and institutional links between the Marine Spatial Planning Act and the Indigenous Knowledge Act by involving the National Indigenous Knowledge Systems Office in national working groups.

• 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, as stakeholder priorities and connections to the coast vary significantly across different zones.
• There is a need for a shift from one-way 'information sharing' to collaborative two-way communication between coastal authorities and stakeholders to overcome historical suspicion and exclusion.
• The National Oceans and Coastal Information Management System (OCIMS) Marine Spatial Planning Support Viewer Decision Support Tool (DeST) currently lacks qualitative socio-cultural data and is not sufficiently accessible to those with limited internet or computer access.
• To redress the impact of colonial and apartheid legislation like the Group Areas Act (1950), the document recommends designating specific coastal and marine zones for cultural and religious practices and working with the South African Heritage Resources Agency to nominate National Heritage Sites.
• Existing environmental instruments and legislation that limit Indigenous communities' access to coastal areas should be revised to align with the Marine Spatial Planning Act 16 of 2018, which promotes collaboration and responsible ocean use.
• The document proposes strengthening the link between the MSP Act and the Indigenous Knowledge Act by including a representative from the National Indigenous Knowledge Systems Office (NIKSO) in the National Working Group 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} }