The Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna (CCSBT) is an intergovernmental organisation responsible for the management of southern bluefin tuna. Southern bluefin is a highly sought after tuna species, which was heavily over-fished in the 1980s and 1990s.
CCSBT has in recent years reduced the Total Allowable Catch and stringent conservation and management measures were implemented in order to rebuild this resource. South Africa is one of only four countries cooperating with CCSBT that has this species occurring within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), but at present South Africa is only a Cooperating Non-contracting Party with a 40 t quota.
If South Africa were to accede to CCSBT it would benefit the country in the following ways:
- South Africa would be granted an automatic increase of 150 t for 2014;
- South Africa as a Contracting Party to CCSBT would have voting rights at the Commission and would be in a stronger position to negotiate further equitable increases in its national allocation and would be in a position to table proposals on how this international resource should be managed;
- South Africa would be fully able to utilise its rights as a range state in fishing for southern bluefin;
- Southern bluefin is the most valuable finfish species occurring in South African waters, and a more equitable quota would serve to fast track the development of South Africa’s tuna fisheries from a current R150 million per annum fishery to a possible R600 million fishery, making it the third most important South African fishery after the hake and small pelagic fisheries;
- As almost all tuna species are exported this would mean that South Africa would derive much needed foreign revenue;
- Greater access to southern bluefin would also encourage investment in the fishery and would provide a great incentive for foreign flagged long-line vessels to reflag to South Africa, and;
- Ultimately, this would lead to an increase in employment from around 500 to 1 000 jobs in this sector and the quality of employment would also improve as more permanent jobs can be created.
The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC)
The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) is responsible for the management of tuna and tuna-like species in the Indian Ocean. South Africa straddles the Atlantic and Indian Ocean, and in recent years most of South Africa’s tuna longline fishing effort has shifted from the Atlantic Ocean to the Indian Ocean where the catch rates are higher. Despite the importance of the Indian Ocean as a tuna fishing ground, South Africa has remained a Cooperating Non-contracting Party to IOTC since 2003. As tuna resources are limited and international fishing interests are growing the IOTC has recently been conducting a number of workshops to develop criteria for country allocations.
If South Africa were to accede to IOTC it would benefit the country in the following ways:
- South Africa as a Contracting Party to IOTC would have voting rights at the Commission and would be in a stronger position to negotiate equitable national allocations and would also be in a position to table proposals on how to manage the tuna and tuna-like resources of the Indian Ocean;
- South Africa would be fully able to utilise its rights as a range state in fishing for tuna and tuna-like species in the Indian Ocean;
- Full access to the Indian Ocean resources would serve to develop the fishery by encouraging investment and reflagging of foreign longline vessels;
- Full access to the Indian Ocean would assist in growing the sector. This is one of the few South African sectors that has a great potential for fast growth;
- Ultimately, this would assist to increase employment from around 500 to 1 000 jobs in this sector and the quality of employment would improve as more permanent jobs can be created, and;
- Membership of IOTC would also promote cooperation with other SADC member states like Mozambique, Mauritius, Seychelles, Tanzania and Kenya.
The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (PSMA)
The primary aim of the FAO’s Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA) is to develop a network of like-minded port states to combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing. IUU fishing is estimated to be costing Africa millions of US$ in potential revenue per annum and is regarded as the single largest threat to the sustainable management of fisheries. IUU fishing is also known to ignore safety regulations and is well known for violations against human rights.
South Africa is the busiest port state in the region. In some years almost a 1 000 port visits are made by foreign fishing vessels that are fishing in close proximity to South Africa. It was also known internationally that a number of IUU vessels have used South African ports in the past. Consequently, South Africa has made large strides since 2007 to implement port state measures to close our ports to IUU fishing.
If South Africa were to accede to PSMA, it would benefit the country in the following ways:
- South Africa would be seen internationally as a responsible port state that stands united with other port states to stamp out the scourge of IUU fishing;
- South Africa has already implemented many elements of the PSMA and by acceding to the agreement would give South Africa’s implementation measures a more formal framework;
- Chances of illegally caught fish products to enter the market via South African ports would be diminished;
- South Africa would contribute to sustainable fisheries practices, which would benefit our own nationals depending on the same resources, and;
- As a developing country South Africa could request assistance from the FAO to strengthen our measures.
Membership fees and associated costs
CCSBT
As a member of CCSBT South Africa would be required to pay annual membership fees. The fees are based on Australian dollars and determined by a formula. The annual fees could range between R750 000 to R1 000 000 depending on exchange rates and the amount of quota allocated. South Africa would also be expected to participate in the meetings of the CCSBT. Currently South Africa is only participating in the annual Compliance and Commission meetings.
IOTC
As a member of IOTC South Africa would be required to pay annual membership fees. The fees are based on US dollars and determined by a formula. The annual fees are estimated at R350 000 depending on exchange rates and the amount of quota allocated. South Africa would also be expected to participate in the meetings of the IOTC. Currently South Africa is only participating in the annual Scientific, Compliance and Commission meetings.
PSMA
There are no annual membership fees associated with the PSMA. However, South Africa would be expected to fully implement the PSMA, which would incur operational costs. South Africa is already implementing most of the provisions of the PSMA and hence further operational costs are expected to be minimal.
For enquiries please contact:
Mr Desmond Stevens, Acting Director-General: Fisheries
Tel: 021 402 3098
Cell: 082 072 9396
