Allowable Catch (TAC) for Perlemoen in effort to save resource
1 November 2006
Marthinus van Schalkwyk, Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism,
announced on Wednesday the new Total Allowable Catch in the Perlemoen (abalone)
commercial fishery for the 2006/7 season.
In terms of Section 14 of the Marine Living Resources Act the Minister must
determine the TAC annually. In announcing the new TAC the Minister said: "The
abalone resource is under tremendous pressure, mainly from illegal harvesting
(poaching) as well as the migration of rock lobster. Over the past 10 years the
TAC has decreased from 615 tons in 1995 to 223 tons in the 2005/2006 season.
Another drastic reduction to 125 tons this year is thus a natural progression
that is necessitated by the current stocks of the resource. Furthermore we have
decided to reduce the TAC to zero in 3 of the 7 zones. These are Zones A, C and
D. We have also decided to maintain the zero TAC in recreational, subsistence
and foreign fishing. This is the only responsible decision that I can take as
the responsible Minister."
In terms of specific area allocations, the following TAC limits have been
set:
Zone A (Gansbaai to Die Dam): zero (reduced from 8 tons)
Zone B (Gansbaai): 75 tons (reduced from 145 tons)
Zone C (Hermanus/Hawston): zero (reduced from 8 tons)
Zone D (Cape Hangklip to Betties Bay): zero (reduced from 8 tons)
Zone E (Kommetjie): 12 tons (unchanged)
Zone F (Robben Island): 20 tons (unchanged)
Zone G (Yzerfontein): 18 tons (reduced from 22 tons)
"Though we have had tremendous successes in apprehending poachers during the
past year, it is an ongoing challenge to keep the resource in the water," said
the Minister. "To this end, we are working on a comprehensive plan that will
prevent the illegal harvesting (poaching) of abalone in the first instance.
This will go a long way towards preventing our stocks from being entirely wiped
out."
Enquiries:
Riaan Aucamp
Cell: 083 778 9923
Blessing Manale
Cell: 083 381 2939
Issued by: Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
1 November 2006
