Apply for a local fishing vessel licence

About applying for a local fishing vessel licence

To operate a local fishing vessel in South Africa, the vessel must be registered with the South African flag state. You must apply for a safety certificate from the South African Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa) and a fishing vessel licence from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries in Cape Town.

To qualify, you must be a:

• South African with full ownership and control of the vessel, or
• a body corporate, society or other association registered in South Africa in which a South African controls the majority of shares and voting rights.

A local fishing vessel includes all gear, equipment, stores, cargo and fuel on board. It may also include assisting one or more vessels at sea in the performance of any activity relating to fishing.

These activities include, but are not limited to:

• preparation
• supply
• storage
• refrigeration
• transportation or processing
• direct engagement in fishing activities within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)/international waters under the flag state of South Africa.

Note: It is unlawful to use an unregistered vessel. If you do not have fishing rights, you must have a contract with the fishing right holder to operate your vessel.

A commercially registered fishing vessel may not be used for recreational purposes.

Commercially registered fishing vessels are linked to a specific fishing right and can be used for that right only.

The validity period of the fishing vessel license is linked to the validity period of the SAMSA certificate. The fishing vessel licence is valid for the same period as the SAMSA certificate.

What you should do

1. Arrange for the vessel to undergo a SAMSA sea-worthy evaluation procedure to get a safety certificate.
2. Download the Application for a local fishing vessel licence. Complete the form in capital letters.
3. Attach:
   • a certified copy of your current Samsa certificate
   • a certified copy of agreement with right holder (only applicable if you are not a right holder)
   • a certified copy of a radio call sign (if applicable)
   • a letter of authorisation (applicable if a third party applies on behalf of vessel owner).
4. Pay the prescribed fee into the following account:
   Bank: First National Bank
   Account number: 62123256382
   Account type: Current
   Account name: Marine Living Resources Fund
   Branch name: Corporate Account Services CapeTown
   Branch code: 204-109
   Call the customer service centre at 021 402 3911 / 086 000 3474 for a reference.
   You can also pay in cash or by means of an electronic fund transfer (EFT). Please note that if the EFT was not done from First National Bank there will be a 24-hour delay.
5. Send the application to the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Private Bag X2, Roggebaai, Cape Town, 8012.
6. Fax your proof of payment to the Customer Service Centre at 021 402 3362/3081/3670 and request confirmation of payment.
7. Alternatively, visit the Customer Services Centre, Ground Floor, Foretrust Building, Martin Hammerschlag Way, Foreshore, Cape Town to apply. Please bring certified copies of the required documents and the required fees.

How long does it take

The application may take three working days or more, from date of confirmation of payment, provided you have lodged your application properly.

How much does it cost

Tariffs for each service is reflected on the application form.

Contact any SAMSA office for cost information for a safety certificate. 

Forms to complete

Application for a local fishing vessel licence

Who to contact