As of 1 July 2010 the commercial harvesting of abalone has been opened to allow fishing communities to derive a livelihood from the sea. The opening came with multifaceted conditions to ensure that social, economic and security plans and structures are in place to support communities, especially along the entire south-western and west coast of South Africa.
With the implementation of the Abalone Recovery Strategy, abalone farming is set to increase significantly, relieving pressure on wild abalone stocks.
“In the medium term, the focus on fisheries will be on developing this sector, working together with our partners to ensure that small-scale farmers are more resilient and productive,” said Ms Tina Joemat-Pettersson, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
“In addition,” she said, “the focus will be on supporting the adoption of sustainable aquaculture that benefits the poor”. The conditions for the season opening are:
* Strict application of law enforcement provisions of sections 50 to 76 of the Marine Living Resources Act of 1998 (MLRA) to ensure compliance by rights holders.
* Establishing a committee in terms of section eight of the MLRA which will ensure that those rights holders who contravene the recommendations of the government-appointed Scientific Working Group on abalone have their rights, permits or licences cancelled.
* Finalising a comprehensive Integrated Fisheries Security Strategy (IFSS) which will be presented to Cabinet for approval after other security role players have made their input.
* Implementation of the Integrated National Fisheries Development Plan
(INFDP) in line with the government's Spatial Development Plans and
* Expanded Public Works Programme to address the socio-economic challenges of coastal communities whose livelihoods depend on abalone fishery.
* Implementation, by the department, of the Abalone Recovery Strategy to ensure the recovery of abalone spawning biomass.
* Submission of a progress report to Cabinet within six months after the conditional reopening.
* In February 2008 the harvesting of wild abalone was closed to allow the resource to recover from poaching and from the ecological effects of the
* West Coast Rock Lobster preying on abalone. An interim relief payment of R16 million was made by government to alleviate the negative socio economic impact of the closure on the affected communities.
Since this type of intervention is suitable only as a short term plan, President Jacob Zuma, while visiting the Overberg region in November 2009, made a commitment that the suspension on the commercial harvesting of wild abalone would be lifted, provided that scientific evidence supported the sustainability of the wild stock. The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) undertook a comprehensive review in support of the sustainable use of the marine resources and as part of the process of developing an INFDP to address the current challenges of sustainability.
This plan will also support the departmental action plan towards achieving the Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP). DAFF, in partnership with the departments of Science and Technology, Trade and Industry and Economic Development as well as research institutions, seeks to further develop aquaculture and broaden fisheries research specifically on abalone farming by establishing hatcheries that will supply seed for ranching and stock enhancement programmes.
For more information contact:
P Tsotso Sehoole
Tel: 012 319 6043/7317
Fax: 012 319 7858
Cell: 083 265 8728
E-mail: HCM@daff.gov.za
Source: Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (http://www.daff.gov.za)
