Marine and coastal environmental national assets provide and sustain a wide range of economic, social and ecological services that are a foundation for the livelihoods of millions of South Africans, which not only underpin national and international transport, mining, coastal tourism and fisheries industries but also are vital component of the climate system as a Carbon sink and global temperature controller. As such, climate change related issues such as ocean fertilisation/ pollution, ocean acidification, sea level rise and related storm surges have profound impacts on coastal infrastructure, development opportunities and the livelihoods of coastal communities.