M van Schalkwyk on suspension of Wild Abalone commercial sector

30 October 2007

Suspension of wild abalone commercial fishing to take effect on 1 February
2008

Cabinet last week supported a recommendation from the Department of
Environmental Affairs and Tourism to suspend wild abalone, also known as
perlemoen, commercial fishing to ensure the survival of the species. Cabinet
was also sensitive to the impact this decision will have on the livelihoods of
many families in coastal communities and therefore approved a Social Plan to
mitigate these impacts.

We will further engage communities on the social plan to mitigate these
impacts. This plan includes our department's commitment to developing a
sustainable marine aquaculture industry and the issuing of additional permits
for whale watching and shark cage diving. I will tomorrow at the subsistence
fishing summit in Port Elizabeth announce further detail regarding the far
reaching interventions we will be making in the marine aquaculture
industry.

I remain of the view that the abalone resource is endangered due to
ecological changes and poaching. This fishery is in a crisis and should be
managed as an emergency. The closure of the abalone fishery is the right thing
to do. There is also broad acknowledgment that the resource is in a crisis. I
have applied my mind to the numerous pleas I have received from communities
regarding the implementation date of the decision.

After carefully considering these appeals I requested the department to see
if there could be a scientific basis to delay the implementation date of this
decision. After receiving a report from them earlier this morning and taking
into account the socio economic implications of this important decision, I have
decided to delay the implementation of the decision to 1 February 2008.

I want to reiterate that to suspend fishing in any fishery is a very
difficult decision to take as we are aware that such a decision will have an
impact on the livelihoods of many people and families in the industry. Our
decision today will ensure that communities will over the festive season and
the start of the new school term have some source of income. We will also use
this opportunity to engage communities on the Social Plan to mitigate these
impacts.

I have accordingly determined, on the recommendation from the department's
researchers and management, a Total Allowable Catch (TAC) of 75 tons with the
following conditions:

* The global TAC will be apportioned proportionately among right
holders.
* Right holders will be expected to follow the normal permitting process
* A limited group of harvesters and vessels be nominated by right holders to
fish on behalf of the rest.
* Right holders be consulted on specific allocation and harvesting
arrangements
* The fishery will close on 31 January 2008.

The TAC will be apportioned as follows:

Zone A (Gansbaai to Die Dam): zero (unchanged) Zone B (Gansbaai): 25 tons
(reduced from 75 tons) Zone C (Hermanus/Hawston): zero (unchanged) Zone D (Cape
Hangklip to Betties Bay): zero (unchanged) Zone E (Kommetjie):12 tons
(unchanged) Zone F (Robben Island):20 tons (unchanged) Zone G (Yzerfontein): 18
tons (unchanged)

To ensure that the suspension of harvesting is observed we will continue
efforts to clamp down on poaching. I am encouraged by the reaction from some
communities that they are willing to work with government in this regard.
Furthermore, the department will consult with stakeholders on the possibility
of imposing a diving ban in certain areas to further protect the abalone
resource. The department will continue to closely assess the stock levels of
abalone.

Enquiries:
Mava Scott
Cell: 082 411 9821

Riaan Aucamp
Cell: 083 778 9923

Issued by: Department Environmental Affairs and Tourism
30 October 2007