Minister announces his decision to grant interim relief fishers access to a portion of offshore west coast rock lobster allocation set aside for small-scale fishing sector for 2018/19 fishing season
After the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) announced the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) of 1084 tons that has been determined for the 2018/19 fishing season, which is a 43.6% reduction when compared to the TAC of 1924.08 tons determined for the 2017/18 fishing season. Interim Relief fishers were unhappy about the reduced allocation and they appealed to the Minister citing that the cuts will have devastating socio-economic effects in their communities with about 2000 Interim Relief fishers. A request to access a portion of 140.83 tons that is apportioned to small-scale fishing sector for the 2018/19 season was submitted to DAFF and the Minister for consideration.
The Minister has considered the request and has granted approval for the Interim Relief fishers to access a portion of 140tons of WCRL offshore allocation apportioned to small-scale fishing sector for the duration of the 2018/19 fishing season. This approval is based on the fact that the delegated authority will not be in a position to allocate small-scale fishing rights in the Western Cape within the WCRL offshore fishing season as the department is still in the process of registering small-scale fishing co-operatives to be allocated small-scale fishing rights. This means that the WCRL offshore allocation apportioned to small-scale fishing sector may not be utilised small-scale fishers in the Western Cape for this current season.
Secondly, the Minister is fully aware of the socio-economic implications that the TAC cuts will have in the fishing sector broadly and in Interim Relief communities specifically. This is one of the reasons why the Minister has decided to appeal the court judgement in the case between DAFF and WWF.
Further details of implementing this approval will be conveyed to all the Interim Relief caretakers in preparation for permitting processes to be led by DAFF.
For further information please contact:
Khaye Nkwanyana
Ministry spokesperson
Tel: 021 467 4504
Cell: 083 952 9723
E-mail: MLO.Minister@daff.gov.za
