DAFF announces the 2017/18 west coast rock lobster tac and recreational fishing season duration
The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) wishes to announce the total allowable catch (TAC) for the 2017/18 fishing season for west coast rock lobster (WCRL).
The TAC is unchanged, remaining at 1924.08 tons. The allocations per sector are as follows:
|
|
2017/2018 TAC remains unchanged |
Comment |
|
Commercial Fishing (Offshore) |
994.8 |
2016/2017 TAC minus 20% to Small-Scale sector |
|
Commercial Fishing (Nearshore) |
305.7 |
50% of the Nearshore TAC |
|
Recreational Fishing |
69.2 |
Unchanged |
|
Small-Scale Fishing sector (Interim Relief Measure) |
235.3 |
Unchanged |
|
Small-Scale Fishing sector (Nearshore allocation) |
70.4 |
The remainder of the Nearshore allocation for IR/SSF |
|
Small-Scale Fishing sector (Offshore allocation) |
248.7 |
20% of the Offshore allocation |
|
Foreign Fishing |
0 |
|
|
1924.08 |
The Department will apply an effort limitation, shortening the season to 3 months in each Super-area/Zone. The start and end dates for the season will be as follows per sector and Super-area/Zone:
|
Area |
Catch Period |
|
|
Commercial Nearshore and Small-Scale Fishing sector (Interim Relief Measure) |
Commercial Offshore |
|
|
Super-area 1+2 |
15 Nov, Dec, 15 Feb |
|
|
Super-area 3+4 |
15 Nov, Dec, Jan, 15 Feb |
15 Nov, Dec, Jan, 15 Feb |
|
Super-area 5+6 |
Dec, Jan, Feb |
|
|
Super-area 7 |
|
Dec, Jan, Feb |
|
Areas 8 and 11 |
Dec, Jan, Feb |
Jan, Apr, May |
|
Area 8 (Deep water) |
|
Jul |
|
Areas 12, 13 and 14 |
15 Dec, Jan, Feb, 15 Mar |
|
The Recreational sector has been granted 9 days to fish. The Government Gazette announcing the recreational fishing dates will be issued in due course.
The Department is working with various stakeholders to develop a comprehensive fishery management plan for the lobster fishery in order to address the existing gaps and to ensure the long term sustainability of the resource.
For further information please contact:
Carol Moses
Cell: 071 229 8484
Email: CarolMO@daff.gov.za
Tel: 021 4023448
