Minister Senzeni Zokwana: Press Conference on Shark Long Line Fishery / White Mussel Fishery / Oyster Fishery

Introduction

  • Between 8 September 2015 and yesterday evening (1 October 2015), I have considered and decided the appeals filed in the shark demersal long line (21 appeals), white mussel (55 appeals) and oyster (74 appeals) fisheries. In total, there are 150 appeals.
  • The shark demersal fishery is an example of a commercial fishery requiring substantial investments in human capital (highly knowledgeable and skilled skippers and good crew), vessels and export markets.
  • On the other hand, the white mussel and oyster fisheries are low value, small-scale nearshore fisheries which are able to provide small-scale fishers who live adjacent to these fishing zones with access to marine resources that can be sold to local hotels and restaurants. These fisheries require little skill and little to no investment in fishing gear.
  • I have accordingly decided the appeals taking into consideration not only our fisheries management obligations as set out in the Marine Living Resources Act, but also our commitments to transformation and socio-economic justice for local fishing communities along our coast.
  • The white mussel fishery exists along a limited section of our coastline stretching just north of the Koeberg Power Station to Doringbaai.
  • The oyster fishery is exploited along parts of our Southern Cape and KZN coasts only.
  • A narrative exists that would suggest that when allocating fishing rights transformation and growing the fisheries economy cannot be done. I am of the view that these two can coexist.
  • The allocation of fishing rights – as my decisions will aim to confirm – supports the narrative that our commitment to continue the empowerment of black fishers and black owned and empowered fishing enterprises is integrally connected to our commitment to simultaneously support the growth of the South African fishing industry.
  • My decisions in the white mussel fishery for example will mean that of the 26 right holders in the fishery, 22 (85%) are black.
  • In the commercial shark long line fishery, the  black ownership profile of the fishery will increase to 80% (from 63, 46% in Dec 2013).
  • Allow me to now address you on my decisions in each of the 3 fisheries, shark demersal, white mussel and oysters.

    Full Speech

More on

Share this page

Similar categories to explore