CASE STUDY Population along the coast
Population growth puts pressure on coastal ecosystems. Increased population means growing demand for land for housing and infrastructure, increased use of living resourc- es for food, and more use of available freshwater resources. Some of these pressures are mainly associated with urban centres along the coast. In particular the high rates of har- vesting of fish, mussels, crayfish and abalone occur in urban coastal areas.
Te negative environmental impacts of the shipping indus- try also harm the coastal ecosystem. Impacts from shipping include oil spills and the discharge of ballast water and waste into the sea, which affect the quality of sea water and con- sequently marine life. Tis in turn affects human food secu- rity and health. Te problem is particularly acute around commercial ports.
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It is estimated that 30 per cent of South Africa’s population lives within 60 kilometres of the coast. Human use of the coast has for a long time been one of exploration and uncontrolled exploita tion, and this has resulted in a growing need for responsible and sustainable use. Working for the Coast endeavours to strength en capacity for managing marine and coastal resources.6
Kwazulu-Natal has the largest share of population in the coastal areas. Approximately 9 million people live in the province and they are Zulu-speakers. Te Eastern Cape Province has the second largest population with 5.8 million people and they are Xhosa-speakers. Northern Cape remains the province with the smallest population, with approximately 1.1 million people, who are Tswana and Coloured.
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