Funke, Nikki SClaassen, MMeissner, RNortje, KFunke, Nikki SClaassen, MMeissner, RNortje, K2025-02-272025-02-272014978-0-7988-5617-1http://hdl.handle.net/10204/14095In his 2014 State of the Nation Address, President Jacob Zuma highlighted the triple challenge of poverty, inequality and unemployment. Addressing this challenge, in particular through the implementation of the National Development Plan, is a key priority for the South African government. Key economic drivers that are of significance for the marine and maritime sectors are tourism, the Green Economy, infrastructure development and manufacturing. Maximising the potential of these drivers can substantially increase the ability of the marine and maritime sectors to contribute to South Africa’s economy. South Africa has not fully exploited its marine and maritime economy, which justifies the emerging emphasis on the South African ocean economy. The South African government has an important role to play in promoting the development of this economy through establishing an enabling policy environment, and ensuring effective regulation and appropriate resource allocation. Research and development (R&D) in marine and maritime industries, as well as research and academic organisations, produce marine and maritime-related knowledge and technology. This focus on R&D gives impetus to the development of the country’s marine and maritime resources and has the potential to contribute to the growth of the ocean economy. South Africa’s oceans and coasts should be developed in a responsible manner to facilitate the sustainable utilisation of marine and maritime resources and secure the long-term growth of the ocean economy. Knowledge and technology play an important role in understanding the ocean, its resources and how to utilise these resources in a responsible manner to ensure their continued availability for generations to come. The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) has a key role to play in supporting growth in the marine and maritime sectors through ensuring safety of life and property at sea, preventing and combatting pollution from ships, and promoting the Republic’s maritime interests. The Department of Science and Technology (DST) also has an important role to play in building and developing the ocean economy, for instance, through its Socio-economic Partnerships Programme, which enhances growth and development priorities through targeted science and technology interventions and the development of strategic partnerships with other government departments, industry, research institutions and communities. The DST is also involved in various marine science research initiatives that have the potential to link basic research to applied research, increase human capital, develop R&D and build closer links with industry. This book endeavours to contribute to these objectives by presenting diverse contributions to reflect on the state of R&D and technology in South Africa’s marine and maritime sectors. Its contribution lies in making the practical application of R&D and technology in the marine and maritime sectors explicit, and highlighting the ways in which this can be strengthened and improved.FulltextenSouth African marine sectorsSouth African maritime sectorsGreen EconomiesSouth African Maritime Safety AuthoritySAMSASouth African National Development PlanBook14742