DAFF decides against extension of recreational west coast rock lobster season

The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has decided not to extend the west coast rock lobster recreational season.

The Acting Deputy Director-General, responsible for the Fisheries Management branch in the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, who is also the delegated authority in terms section 79 (1) (a) of the Marine Living Resources Act, 1998, Sue Middleton, cited ecological considerations, the higher demand for recreational permits as well as the increased number of fishing days for the 2011/12 season as the major reasons for her decision.

Following consultations with industry and various stakeholders last year, the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries made an unprecedented concession regarding the 2011/12 west coast rock lobster recreational season that will be interrupted from today (16 January 2012) until 6 April and end on 9 April 2012.

Two years ago the department announced a total allowable catch of 107 tons for the 2010/11 season but this was increased by a dramatic 70% last year, to 183 tons.

Fishers also had a longer season this time around as the number of fishing days were almost doubled from 34 days for the last season, to 67 days this season. This means that a permit-holder who went to fish on 50 days of the season and caught his allowable four lobsters per day, would have caught 200 lobsters during the season.

Lastly, it is also estimated that almost 25% more recreational permits were sold – up from 26 000 sold during the 2010/11 season to an estimated 30 000 this season.

The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is confident that these concessions resulted in a better and longer season for permit holders and the decision not to extend the recreational west coast rock lobster season is in the best interest of particularly this species that was almost depleted not long ago.

For more information and/or comment, please do not hesitate to contact:
Lionel Adendorf
Tel: +27 21 402 3702
Cell: +27 76 267 5838

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