19 December 2006
PUBLIC NOTICE ROLLOVERS IN THE HAKE FISHERIES This notice applies to all Right Holders in the following sectors:
• Hake deepsea trawl
• Hake-sole inshore trawl
• Hake longline
• Hake handline (read more...)
15 December 2006
PUBLIC NOTICE "Please be advised that an administrative error was made in relation to the scores and quantum amounts which were allocated to Zimele Fishing CC and Imbumba Fishing CC when preparing the Hake Longline appeal results. The Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism determined that Imbumba Fishing's investment in harbour and sea based assets should be recognised, and that Zimele's permanent and seasonal jobs should be recognised. However, the necessary changes were not affected to the database. This has now been corrected, and has resulted in minor changes to the
final allocations to the applicants. The Department apologises for any inconvenience caused. Permits will be issued in terms of the revised allocations. The revised quantum model can be read here..." (read more...)
14 December 2006
PUBLIC NOTICE MINISTER VAN SCHALKWYK ANNOUNCES EXTENTION OF PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR DRAFT SUBSISTENCE AND SMALL-SCALE FISHING POLICIES Minister van Schalkwyk announced today that the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism is extending the public comment period for two key policy documents that affect subsistence fishing communities such as Paternoster, which has recently been in the public eye. (read more...)
08 December 2006
STATEMENT 2006 Integrated Coastal Management Bill
to preserve the integrity of SA’s coastline “I am pleased to announce that Cabinet has approved the Integrated Coastal Management Bill for release for public comment. The Bill will be Gazetted on 15 December 2006 and as it is a complex Bill it will be open for public comment for a period of 90 days” said Marthinus Van Schalkwyk, Minister of Environmental Affairs & Tourism. (read more...)
28 November 2006
PUBLIC NOTICE Minister meets fishing industry stakeholders Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Marthinus van Schalkwyk supported by Director-General, Pam Yako, held a stakeholder consultative meeting with the fishing industry with the aim to provide industry stakeholders with information on the state of the marine resources, the state of the Marine Living Resources Fund (read more...)
27 November 2006
PUBLIC NOTICE Appeal Details The R5(3) reports, Scoresheets and Appeal GPR's for WCRL Offshore and Hake Longline have been published. (read more...)
23 November 2006
PUBLIC NOTICE DEPARTMENT RELEASES DRAFT SMALL SCALE AND SUBSISTENCE FISHING POLICIES FOR PUBLIC COMMENT The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism will embark on public consultations to discuss and explain the draft policies for the Allocation and Management of Medium-term Small-scale Commercial Fishing Rights and for the Allocation and Management of Medium-term Subsistence Fishing Rights which was gazetted on 17 November 2006 for public comment. (read more...)
22 November 2006 PUBLIC CONSULTATION Small-scale Commercial Fishing Rights and Subsistence Fishing Rights The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism will embark on public consultations to discuss and explain the draft policies for the Allocation and Management of Medium-term Small-scale Commercial Fishing Rights and for the Allocation and Management of Medium-term...
(read more...)
16 November 2006 PUBLIC NOTICE APPEALS CLOSING DATES Appeals must be submitted to the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, for Attention: Mr. Raymond Scott, Sub-directorate: Allocations and Verification, 6th Floor, Foretrust Building, Cape Town and only by registered mail or hand delivered. No emails and faxes are allowed and no provisions are made for oral hearings.
07 November 2006 MEDIA STATEMENT
Minister Announces Decisions on Appeals The Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism has taken decisions on appeals submitted in the following sectors: Hake Longline, West Coast Rock Lobster Offshore, Tuna Pole, Seaweed, West Coast Rock Lobster Nearshore and Hake Handline. (read more...)
02 November 2006 MEDIA STATEMENT
Minister Announces Huge Reduction in Total Allowable Catch for Perlemoen in
effort to save resource Marthinus van Schalkwyk, Minister of Environmental Affairs & Tourism, announced on Wednesday the new Total Allowable Catch (TAC) in the Perlemoen (abalone) commercial fishery for the 2006/7 season. (read more...)
01 November 2006 MEDIA STATEMENT DEPARTMENT EXTENDS PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR AQUACULTURE POLICY The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism has extended the public comment period for the Draft Aquaculture Policy which was gazetted on 29 September 2006 from 31 October 2006 to 4 December 2006. (read more...)
24 October 2006 MEDIA STATEMENT WEST COAST ROCK LOBSTER SEASON AND TAC ANNOUNCED The Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, has announced the new recreational season for west coast rock lobster and has set the global total allowable catch (TAC) for the 2006/2007 west coast rock lobster season at 2 857 tonnes... (read more...)
23 October 2006 MEDIA STATEMENT GOVERNMENT CONFISCATED ABALONE AND MADE 24 ARRESTED This morning (23 October 2006) officials from the Departmental of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) together with the Hermanus Dog Unit of the South African Police Service (SAPS) confiscated 29 bags of abalone containing 3 800 abalone at Meerensee near Hawston. Four suspects were arrested. They are due to appear in court tomorrow. (read more...)
19 October 2006 MEDIA STATEMENT DEPARTMENT AWARDS BLUE FLAG STATUS TO 23 SOUTH AFRICAN BEACHES The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism has today (Friday, 20 October 2006) awarded Blue Flag status to 23 beaches at the annual Blue Flag ceremony held at Bay of Plenty beach, Durban in KwaZulu-Natal. A Blue Flag is an international annual award given to beaches that meet EXCELLENCE in the areas of safety, amenities, cleanliness and environmental standards. (read more...)
18 October 2006 MEDIA STATEMENT ANNOUNCEMENT OF 2006/07 BLUE FLAG BEACHES On National Marine Day, Friday 20 October 2006, the new season of Blue Flag beaches in South Africa will be announced on the Durban beachfront in KwaZulu-Natal... (read more...)
18th October 2006 MEDIA STATEMENT Anti-poaching operation prevents poachers from plundering Marine Resources Compliance officials from the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism have successfully disrupted potential abalone poaching and illegal fishing activities during a sea-land based operation today (Monday 16 October 2006) in Port Elizabeth (read more...)
10th October 2006 PUBLIC NOTICE “Horse Mackerel Quantum Model” The allocations in the Horse Mackerel sector have to be amended. Foodcorp (Pty) Ltd informed the Delegated Authority for the Horse Mackerel sector, Dr Monde Mayekiso... (read more...)
05 October 2006 PUBLIC NOTICE EXTENSION OF NETFISH (GILLNET/DRIFTNET) APPEALS
Kindly be advised that the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Branch: Marine and Coastal Management's Deputy Director-General has decided to extend the closing date... (read more...)
22 September 2006 PUBLIC NOTICE SHAPING THE FUTURE OF AQUACULTURE IN SOUTH AFRICA The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism as the lead agent for Marine Aquaculture in South Africa, will be hosting a National Aquaculture workshop in Cape Town on Tuesday, 26 September 2006... (read more...)
01 September 2006 PUBLIC NOTICE
SMALL PELAGICS QUANTUM MODEL "Regrettably the Small Pelagics allocations had to be amended for a third time. It was pointed out to the Delegated Authority and the Minister that the Investment criterion was not scored properly in that the system failed to score applicants that fell on the 90th percentile. This has a significant impact on only one applicant. The other allocations are affected in minor ways. Please find attached herewith the amended spreadsheet with the new allocations, as well as the internal scoring summaries for both medium term rights holder and new entrant applicants. Permits will be issued during the course of next week. No amendments to any allocations will be made after permits have been issued unless the Delegated Authority and the Minister are ordered to do so by a court of law."
Kind regards,
The Rights Verification Unit The revised quantum model can be read here...
31 August 2006 PUBLIC NOTICE GUIDELINES ON HOW TO APPLY FOR A MARICULTURE RIGHT
The Mariculture right is issued according to Section 18 of the Marine Living Resources Act of 1998 and Chapter 6 of the regulations. The right can be issued for a maximum period of 15 years... (read more...)
12 July 2006 PUBLIC NOTICE
'Safmarine Agulhas' - update Good progress continues to be made with respect to the removal of cargo from the grounded container ship 'Safmarine Agulhas'... (read more...)
07 July 2006 PUBLIC NOTICE
INVITATION TO ATTEND PUBLIC HEARING
05 July 2006 PUBLIC NOTICE
WEBSITE DOWNTIME FROM FRIDAY 07th OF JULY TO MONDAY 10th Due to planned down time for maintanence, the website will not be available from
the 7th until the 10th of July. We apologize for the inconvenience.
30 June 2006 PUBLIC NOTICE EXTENSION OF PERIOD TO COMMENT ON HAKE DEEP SEA TRAWL APPEALS (SUPPLEMENTARY) The following notice has been sent out by the Rights Verification Unit (RVU) to all Hake Deep Sea Trawl applicants... (read more...)
30 June 2006 PUBLIC NOTICE WEST COAST ROCK LOBSTER (NEARSHORE) EXCEPTIONS
The 30 th of June 2006 marks the end of the West Coast Rock Lobster (Nearshore) fishing season.... (read more...)
28 June 2006 PUBLIC NOTICE CLUSTER A APPEALS AND APPEAL DECISIONS
The following notice has been sent out by the Rights Verification Unit (RVU) to all applicants in the affected sectors... (read more...)
28 June 2006 PUBLIC NOTICE Reserved Applicant Appeal Form
26 June 2006 PUBLIC NOTICE VIEWING AND COMMENTING ON HAKE DEEP SEA TRAWL APPEALS (SUPPLEMENTARY) The following notice has been sent out by the Rights Verification Unit (RVU) to all Hake Deep Sea Trawl applicants... (read more...)
23 June 2006 PUBLIC NOTICE Boat Based Whale Watching Policy for public comment On the 2 June 2006, the Minister published the draft Boat Based Whale Watching Policy for public comment. This Policy includes proposed changes to the current regulations and the Department hereby invites interested and affected parties to provide comment to Janette du Toit by 16h00 on Monday 10 July 2006. Details are included in the draft policy.
20 June 2006 PUBLIC NOTICE VIEWING AND COMMENTING ON HAKE LONGLINE APPEALS The following notice has been sent out by the Rights Verification Unit (RVU) to all Hake Longline applicants:
Section 80(3) of the Marine Living Resources ... (read more...)
15 June 2006 PUBLIC NOTICE EXTENSION OF COMMENT PERIOD: URGENT APPEALS: WEST COAST ROCK LOBSTER (OFF-SHORE) The following notice has been sent out by the Rights Verification Unit (RVU) to all WCRL (Off-shore) applicants:
Please be advised that the Section 80(3) comment period in respect of the urgent appeals in the West Coast Rock Lobster Offshore sector has been extended. Comments on the urgent appeals must be submitted by e-mail by no later than Monday, 26 June 2006 at the following address: rvuwcrloff@deloitte.co.za
13 June 2006 PUBLIC NOTICE VIEWING AND COMMENTING ON URGENT WEST COAST ROCK LOBSTER (OFF-SHORE) APPEALS The following notice has been sent out by the Rights Verification Unit (RVU) to all WCRL (Off-shore) applicants (read more...)
13 June 2006 PUBLIC NOTICE VIEWING AND COMMENTING ON URGENT HAKE LONGLINE APPEALS
The following notice has been sent out by the Rights Verification Unit (RVU) to all Hake Longline applicants:
Section 80(3) of the Marine (read more...)
09 June 2006 PUBLIC NOTICE VIEWING AND COMMENTING ON WEST COAST ROCK LOBSTER (OFF-SHORE) APPEALS The following notice has been sent out by the Rights Verification Unit (RVU) to all WCRL (Off-shore) applicants... (read more...)
06 June 2006 Press Release LAUNCH OF SPEED VESSEL TO COMBAT POACHING - World Oceans Day The Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, will as part of World Oceans Day celebrations launch a speed vessel on Thursday, 8 June 2006, at the Cape Town Harbour. This vessel will compliment the rest of the environmental protection fleet with its speed and dexterity.
All media are invited to attend the launch. Journalists will have an opportunity to "feel" the speed of the vessel. Date: Thursday, 8 June 2006
Time: 12:00
Venue: On board Sarah Baartman (next to speed vessel), Quay 500, Cape Town Harbour
RSVP: Maryke Brand on 082 650 4283.
02 June 2006 Press Release ANTARCTIC MONTH -
Celebrating SA's involvement With climate change becoming one of the foremost challenges facing the global world, the necessity to gather more information and conduct more research (read more...)
26 May 2006 Press Release ABALONE, ROCK LOBSTER POACHERS ARRESTED Two men were arrested in Ocean View early yesterday morning (25 May 2006) after the Police found two bags containing 833 West Coast Rock Lobster tails... (read more...)
24 May 2006 Press Release South Africa clinches 28th International Flower Show Gold Medal “The fact that the South African exhibit managed to win its 28th Gold Medal speaks volumes about our country’s rich biodiversity and our ability to safeguard it on behalf of the world population. (read more...)
22 May 2006 STATEMENT BY THE OFFICE OF MARTHINUS VAN SCHALKWYK, MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM, 21 MAY 2006 Amendments to Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) Beach Regulations:
Improved Vehicular Access for People with Physical Disabilities
In December 2004 Marthinus van Schalkwyk, Minister of Environmental Affairs & Tourism, promulgated amendments... (read more...)
22 May 2006 GOVERNMENT CRACKS DOWN ON ABALONE SYNDICATE Illegal Abalone Processing Plants Uncovered The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism’ Special Investigations Unit together with the Department of Special Operations (Scorpions) cracked down on one of the biggest illegal abalone processing factories thus far. (read more...)
18 May 2006
SARAH BAARTMAN AND SISTER VESSELS STRIKE AGAIN AS VESSELS ARE ARRESTED AND POACHING PREVENTED The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism’s flagship off shore environmental protection vessel, the Sarah Baartman, has arrested two fishing vessels over the past two days for illegal fishing and her sister vessels the Victoria Mxenge and Ruth First succeeded to prevent possible poaching incidents. (read more...)
16 May 2006 PUBLIC NOTICE EXTENSION OF HAKE HANDLINE APPEALS Kindly be advised that the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Branch: Marine and Coastal Management's Deputy Director-General has decided to extend the closing date for appeals in the Hake Handline fishery.
The closing date and time is now Monday, 29 May 2006 at 16:00 .
Appeals must be submitted to the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, for Attention: Mr. Raymond Scott, Sub-directorate: Allocations and Verification, 6th Floor, Foretrust Building, Cape Town and only by registered mail or hand delivered. No emails and faxes are allowed and no provisions are made for oral hearings.
16 May 2006 PUBLIC NOTICE EXTENSION OF WEST COAST ROCK LOBSTER OFF-SHORE APPEALS Kindly be advised that the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Branch: Marine and Coastal Management's Deputy Director-General has decided to extend the closing date for appeals in the West Coast Rock Lobster Off-shorefishery.
The closing date and time is now Friday, 2 June 2006 at 14:00 .
Appeals must be submitted to the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, for Attention: Mr. Raymond Scott, Sub-directorate: Allocations and Verification, 6th Floor, Foretrust Building, Cape Town and only by registered mail or hand delivered. No emails and faxes are allowed and no provisions are made for oral hearings.
12 May 2006 PUBLIC NOTICE INFORMATION PERTAINING TRADITIONAL LINEFISH PERMITS Kindly note that the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Branch: Marine and Coastal Management, intends to issue all outstanding Traditional Linefish permits to the successful Long Term Right Holders by 19 May 2006. Permits will be issued to successful Right Holders who have applied for their permits and subsequently paid all the outstanding and/or required fees for (Permit, License, Grant of Right fees and Catch Levies for 2005). The Department urges all successful Right Holders who have not yet applied for a valid permit to do so or legal action will be taken if the Right Holder is found harvesting without a valid permit beyond the deadline.
11 May 2006
PUBLIC NOTICE EXTENSION OF TRADITIONAL LINE FISH APPEALS Kindly be advised that the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Branch: Marine and Coastal Management's Deputy Director-General has decided to extend the closing date for appeals in the Traditional Line Fish fishery. The closing date and time is now Friday, 23 June at 14:00.
Appeals must be submitted to the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, for Attention: Mr. Raymond Scott, Sub-directorate: Allocations and Verification, 6th Floor, Foretrust Building, Cape Town and only by registered mail or hand delivered. No emails and faxes are allowed and no provisions are made for oral hearings.
11 May 2006
PUBLIC NOTICE
EXTENSION OF TUNA POLE AND SQUID APPEALS Kindly be advised that the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Branch: Marine and Coastal Management's Deputy Director-General has decided to extend the closing date for appeals in the Tuna Pole and Squid fisheries. The closing date and time is now Wednesday, 31 May at 16:00.
Appeals must be submitted to the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, for Attention: Mr. Raymond Scott, Sub-directorate: Allocations and Verification, 6th Floor, Foretrust Building, Cape Town and only by registered mail or hand delivered. No emails and faxes are allowed and no provisions are made for oral hearings.
10 May 2006
STATEMENT BY THE OFFICE OF MARTHINUS VAN SCHALKWYK, MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS & TOURISM, ON 10 MAY 2006
Marthinus van Schalkwyk, Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, has taken a decision regarding the administrative appeals against the decision to grant authorisation in terms of Section 22 of the Environment Conservation Act, No 73 of 1989 on the Expansion of the Cape Town Container Terminal Stacking Area. (read more...)
02 May 2006 HAKE HANDLINE ANNOUNCEMENTS OF RESERVED APPLICANTS The delegated authorities for hake handline and traditional linefish announced their decisions in these sectors on 28 February 2006. Delegated Authority reserved his decisions on several applications in order to afford the RVU the necessary time to investigate, as indicated in the General Published Reasons.
The RVU is in the process of conducting investigations in respect of the reserved applications (104 applications in total). The RVU is reporting to the Delegated Authority on the outcome of their investigations as soon as an investigation into an applicant or group of applicants is complete. The Delegated Authority has accordingly decided to make his decisions on these applications as soon as practically possible after receiving the RVU’s report. These decisions will be communicated on this website ( www.mcm-deat.gov.za) after they have been taken. The only information that will be provided at this stage are the applicant’s application number, name, name of vessel, allocated crew and decision taken on the application. This will be sufficient to enable successful applicants to obtain their permits.
The reasons for the decisions taken in respect of the reserved applications will be set out in the “Supplementary General Reasons for the decisions on the allocation of rights and quantum in the Hake Handline Fishery” and the “Supplementary General Reasons for the decisions on the allocation of rights and quantum in the Traditional Linefish Fishery”, which will be forwarded to each applicant along with a notification letter and the Spreadsheet containing all the reserved applications as well as a summary of the outcome of the investigations. Applicants may then appeal to the Minster against the decisions made, if they to wish to do so.
13 June 2006 PUBLIC NOTICE VIEWING AND COMMENTING ON URGENT HAKE LONGLINE APPEALS The following notice has been sent out by the Rights Verification Unit (RVU) to all Hake Longline applicants:
Section 80(3) of the Marine Living Resources Act 18 of 1998 provides that the Minister shall consider any matter submitted to him on appeal, after giving every person with an interest in the matter an opportunity to state his or her case. In the long-term rights allocation process, section 80 (3) requires that the applicants in the South Coast Rock Lobster, Horse Mackerel, Patagonian Toothfish, Hake Deep Sea Trawl, Hake Inshore Trawl, Small Pelagic, West Coast Rock Lobster Offshore and Hake Longline sectors be afforded an opportunity to comment on the appeals submitted to the Minister in the sector. The reason for this is that the amount allocated to an applicant in these sectors may be reduced on appeal by the Minister if appellant(s) are successful. The following applicants have submitted urgent appeals in the Hake Longline sector: LM Fisheries (Pty) Ltd, Bubesi Fishing (Pty) Ltd, and Hacky Fishing (Pty) Ltd. Copies of these appeals will be made available for inspection on Monday, 12 June 2006, Tuesday, 13 June 2006, and Wednesday, 14 June 2006 (all days between 09h00 and 16h00) at:The Access to Information Centre (ATIC)
2nd Floor, Foretrust Building
Martin Hammerschlag Way
Foreshore
Cape Town
8000Comments on these appeals must be submitted by e-mail by no later than 15 June 2006 at the following address: rvulongline@deloitte.co.za
13 June 2006 PUBLIC NOTICE VIEWING AND COMMENTING ON URGENT WEST COAST ROCK LOBSTER (OFF-SHORE) APPEALS The following notice has been sent out by the Rights Verification Unit (RVU) to all WCRL (Off-shore) applicants:
Section 80(3) of the Marine Living Resources Act 18 of 1998 provides that the Minister shall consider any matter submitted to him on appeal, after giving every person with an interest in the matter an opportunity to state his or her case. In the long-term rights allocation process, section 80 (3) requires that the applicants in the South Coast Rock Lobster, Horse Mackerel, Patagonian Toothfish, Hake Deep Sea Trawl, Hake Inshore Trawl, Small Pelagic, West Coast Rock Lobster Offshore and Hake Longline sectors be afforded an opportunity to comment on the appeals submitted to the Minister in the sector. The reason for this is that the amount allocated to an applicant in these sectors may be reduced on appeal by the Minister if appellant(s) are successful.
The following applicants have submitted urgent appeals in the West Coast Rock Lobster Offshore sector: Full Toss Investments 111 CC, Captains Run Investments 106 CC, Red Rover Trading 106 CC, Ensalada Investments 103 CC, Early Moon Trading 355, Hosani Fishing CC and Granville Dennis Morris CC. Copies of these appeals will be made available for inspection on Monday, 12 June 2006, Tuesday, 13 June 2006, and Wednesday, 14 June 2006 (all days between 09h00 and 16h00) at:
The Access to Information Centre (ATIC)
2nd Floor, Foretrust Building
Martin Hammerschlag Way
Foreshore
Cape Town
8000
Comments on these appeals must be submitted by e-mail by no later than 15 June 2006 at the following address: rvuwcrloff@deloitte.co.za
02 May 2006
MEDIA BRIEFING: FISHING RIGHTS ALLOCATIONS AND STATE OF FISH RESOURCES
The Deputy Director-General of the Marine and Coastal Management Branch of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Dr Monde Mayekiso, invite members of the media to a briefing on the long term fishing rights allocation and the status of the fish resources. He will also link this to the socio- and economic challenges that faces fishing communities. The media briefing will take place as follows:
Date: Wednesday, 3 May 2006 Time: 10:00 - 11:00 Venue: 7th Floor Boardroom, Foretrust Building, Foreshore, Cape Town
with a video-link to the 4th Floor Boardroom, Fedsure Forum Building, Pretoria. Please RSVP with Maryke Brand on 082 650 4283.
25 April 2006 ANOTHER ABALONE POACHERS OPERATION HALTED The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism’s Special Investigation’s Unit received a tip-off from the public last night.... (read more...)
21 April 2006
LONG TERM RIGHTS ALLOCATION PROCESS: COMMUNICATION BETWEEN APPLICANTS, DELEGATED AUTHORITIES, THE MINISTER AND OTHER DECISIONMAKERS
03 May 2006 LONG-TERM FISHING RIGHTS ALLOCATIONS AND THE STATUS OF FISH STOCKS An Update
“Resource constraints, large numbers of applications, shifting resource distribution, low catches with resultant socio-economic realities, became the context within which we had to apply ourselves as we sought to assert a sustainable use approach to fisheries management and our allocation system,” said Deputy Director General of the Marine and Coastal Management Branch of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Dr Monde Mayekiso, as he outlined experiences to date on the long-term fishing rights allocations process.
The allocation of long-term fishing rights commenced after extensive public consultations which led to final fishery sector policies’ adoption by Cabinet in May 2005 and June 2005. The public participation process included various community outreach efforts on the part of the department (such as community meetings) where over 9000 fishers in more than 50 villages, towns and cities were consulted.
“More than 8000 applications for long term fishing rights across 20 different fishing sectors have been received ranging from highly capital intensive fisheries such as hake deep sea trawl and south coat rock lobster to small scale fisheries such as Netfishing. The number of applications for long-term fishing rights almost doubled in comparison with the amount of applications received during the medium-term fishing rights allocations process in 2001. Of the total long-term fishing rights applications received nearly fifty percent were for west coast rock lobster (near shore),” further explained Mayekiso.
Speaking on resource constraints, Deputy Director-General, Dr Monde Mayekiso said limitations of the total allowable catch (TAC) or the total allowable effort (TAE) place a limit on the number of right holders that can be accommodated in a way that yields economic viability.
Citing the West Coast Rock Lobster (WCRL) fishery sector as an example, Dr Mayekiso indicated that the total commercial TAC for WCRL is 2854 tons, a reduction of 10% from the previous year. Approximately 95% of the reduction has been absorbed by the offshore sector. The TAC for WCRL nearshore is 572 tons. Biologically about 80% of the resource occurs offshore in waters in excess of 40m, whilst about 20% occurs inshore or nearshore at less than 40m depth, explained Dr Mayekiso. “With more than 4000 applications and an appeal from communities to increase individual quantum to make it economically viable, the number of rights that can be allocated becomes limited”.
Noting a shift in resource distribution and lower catches in certain fisheries, Dr Mayekiso highlighted a trend of progressive southward and eastward shift in the distribution of adult sardine from the west coast. “The result is a shift in economic activity from one area to the other. The distance between the catch locality and the processing facilities has increased, which means an increase in transportation costs. This could lead to relocation of factories which already happened in the West Coast Rock Lobster sector where a similar shift in resource distribution resulted in less lobsters landed and processed on the West Coasts, coupled with loss of jobs,” Mayekiso said.
Addressing transformation in the context of the long-term fishing rights allocations process, preliminary results indicate an increased allocation of TAC to black controlled companies (50+1%) in most sectors, according to Dr Mayekiso. In the hake sector Black controlled TAC has increased from 14% in 2001 to 29% in 2005. The black shareholder controlled TAC has increased from 38% to 43%.
In the WCRL sector, the black controlled TAC increased from 51% to 61%, and the pelagics TAC increased from 64% to 66%.
Explaining the way forward, Dr Mayekiso indicated that the appeals process is envisaged to be completed within the next 3 months. The Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Marthinus van Schalkwyk as the appeals authority, will apply himself to all submitted appeals.
Issued by JP Louw
Chief Director: Communications
Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
Cell: 082 569 3340 or Tel: (012) 310 3594
10 April 2006 GOVERNMENT APPOINTS COMMISSIONER TO INTERNATIONAL WHALING COMMISSION The South African Government has appointed Mr Herman Oosthuizen of the Department of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism as Commissioner to the International Whaling Commission (IWC). The next meeting will take place from 8 - 21 June this year.
Mr Oosthuizen has been studying marine mammals for nearly 25 years and has attended IWC meetings since 2000. He was Head of the Scientific Delegation and Alternate Commissioner at IWC between 2000 and 2004, and acted as the IWC Commissioner in 2005 at the annual IWC meeting in Korea. He is highly regarded at the IWC and is an experienced and skilled negotiator. The International Whaling Commission (IWC) was set up under the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling which was signed in Washington DC on 2nd December 1946. The purpose of the Convention is to provide for the proper conservation of whale stocks and thus make possible the orderly development of the whaling industry. The main duty of the IWC is to keep under review and revise as necessary the measures laid down in the Schedule to the Convention which govern the conduct of whaling throughout the world. These measures, among other things, provide for the complete protection of certain species; designate specified areas as whale sanctuaries; set limits on the numbers and size of whales which may be taken; prescribe open and closed seasons and areas for whaling; and prohibit the capture of suckling calves and female whales accompanied by calves. The compilation of catch reports and other statistical and biological records is also required. In addition, the Commission encourages, co-ordinates and funds whale research, publishes the results of scientific research and promotes studies into related matters such as the humaneness of the killing operations.
30 March 2006 Department and community members successfully move 20 tons West Coast Rock Lobster to oxygen rich waters The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism together with the support of the local municipality and community members have successfully moved 20 tons of West Coast Rock Lobster that was stranded in the intertidal zone in Elands Bay since yesterday (29 March 2006) to oxygen rich water along the coast. The stranding is caused by low oxygen levels in the water.
The operation commenced yesterday afternoon after the high tide was unable to wash the rock lobsters from the intertidal zone back into the sea. The team, comprising of 140 community workers and officials from the department proceeded to move the West Coast Rock Lobster to oxygen rich waters. The West Coast Rock Lobsters were released back in the ocean at Noordblinder, 5 km off St Helena Bay.
The contingency plan which was developed by the department in consultation with local authorities makes provision for community workers to assist when incidents of standings, beaching or walk outs of West Coast Rock Lobster occur with the primary objective to ensure the West Cost Rock Lobster remain in the waters.
The current situation is closely being monitored by departmental official, including scientists. A team remains on standby.
29 March 2006 Department confirms West Cost Rock Lobster Nearshore appeals date extended to Monday 10 April 2006
Following the completion of a three-day public information roadshow undertaken by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism along the coast to explain the West Coast Rock Lobster nearshore appeals process, the Department confirms the closing date for appeals for the West Coast Rock Lobster (nearshore) fishery has been extended until Monday, 10 April 2006 and applies to all zones (A, B, C, D, E, F, G).
The roadshows, a result of requests from members of the communities, were held in Port Nolloth, Hondeklipbaai, Doringbaai, Lambertsbaai, Elandsbaai, Velddrift, St Helenabaai, Paternoster, Saldhana, Gordonsbaai Kalkbaai, Kommetjie, Houtbay, Kleinmond, Gansbaai and Hermanus. More than 900 individuals attended these consultations. The appeals process, criteria for the long term rights allocations as well as the decision spreadsheets were explained at these consultations individually.
The Department has received a total of 4070 applications for WCRL nearshore. The WCRL resource, which is a high value resource, has declined over the last year. A total of 572 tons is available for allocations in the nearshore area in depths less than 40m.
The policy which was approved by Cabinet in May 2004, after an extensive public participatory process, include the appeal from communities during these consultations to increase individual quantum as the quantum of 200-300kg allocated before is not sustainable for a year. The quantum was therefore increased to 750kg-1500kg.
Appeal forms may be hand delivered or posted registered mail to Mr Raymond Scott, 6th Floor, Allocations and Verifications, Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Foretrust Building, Martin Hammerschlag way, Foreshore, CAPE TOWN, 8001.
The outcome of the appeals is expected to be announced by the end of April 2006.
22 March 2006
PUBLIC NOTICE EXTENSION OF SMALL PELAGICS APPEALS The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Branch: Marine and Coastal Management's Delegated Authority for the Small Pelagics fishery has decided to extend the closing date for appeals. The closing date and time is now 31 MARCH 2006 AT 16H00.
Appeals must be submitted to the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, for Attention: Mr Raymond Scott, Allocations and Verification, 6th Floor, Foretrust Building, Cape Town and only by registered mail or hand delivered. No emails and faxes are allowed and no provisions are made for oral hearings.
8 March 2006
PUBLIC NOTICE COMMUNITY AND GOVERNMENT CLAMPS DOWN ON POACHERS The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism together with the Scorpions have clamped down on a small holding between Stanford and Hermanus early this morning and confiscated 3 vehicles, approximately 3 tons of abalone, two alleged illegal firearms, and various drying equipment. This raid follows after information was received from members of the community. The vehicles and equipment are valued at R800 000-00.
Five men were arrested, one is a Chinese national and the four others are from Gansbaai in the Western Cape. They are still in custody and are expected to appear in the Hermanus Environmental Court.
In a separate incident 1600 abalone and a vehicle were confiscated in Botriver yesterday. A woman was arrested.
In another incident off Llandudno on Monday afternoon 10 divers were effectively prevented from poaching when Ruth First, one of the environmental protection vessels, responded to a tip-off from the public and carried out an inspection in that area.
Ruth First then continued towards Leeugat in the Houtbay area and spotted poachers illegally catching West Coast Rock lobster. The inspectors deployed the inflatable boat and arrested two men. A boat, nets and 60 West Coast Rock Lobster were confiscated.
“These are indeed good stories and it should be a message to the wrongdoers that we now have firm, dedicated and determined South Africans who will clamp down on all illegal activities. Our advice to poachers is that they should better turn a new leaf and rather become friends of South Africans, as their unfortunate transgressions are against the interests of our children,” said JP Louw, Chief Director Communications, as he reflected on the developments.
8 March 2006
PUBLIC NOTICE EXTENSION OF PERMIT APPLICATIONS: TRADITIONAL LINEFISH AND HAKE HANDLINE Kindly be advised that the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Branch: Marine and Coastal Management, has decided to extend the closing date for permit applications for Traditional Linefish and Hake Handline to 31 March 2006 at 16:00.
Applications for permits must be submitted to the Customer Services Centre on the 2nd Floor, Foretrust Building, Martin Hammerschlag Way, Foreshore, Cape Town.
7 March 2006
PUBLIC NOTICE FURTHER EXTENSION OF HAKE DEEP-SEA TRAWL AND HAKE IN-SHORE TRAWL APPEALS Kindly be advised that the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Branch: Marine and Coastal Management's Delegated Authorityfor the Hake Deep-sea Trawl and Hake In-shore Trawlfisheries has decided to extend the closing date for appeals again. The closing date and time is now Tuesday, 14 March 2006 at 16:00.
Appeals must be submitted to the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, for Attention: Mr. Raymond Scott, Allocations and Verification, 6th Floor, Foretrust Building, Cape Town and only by registered mail or hand delivered. No emails and faxes are allowed and no provisions are made for oral hearings.
6 March 2006
PUBLIC NOTICE EXTENSION OF WEST COAST ROCK LOBSTER APPEALS (ZONES B & C) Kindly be advised that the Delegated Authority for the West Coast Rock Lobster fishery of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Branch: Marine and Coastal Management has decided to extend the closing date for appeals for Zones B & C. The closing date and time is now 16h00 on Wednesday, 15 March 2006.
Appeals must be submitted to the Department for Attention: Mr Raymond Scott, Allocations and Verification, 6th Floor, Foretrust Building, Cape Town and only by registered mail or hand delivered. No emails and faxes are allowed and no provisions are made for oral hearings.
1 MARCH 2006
PUBLIC NOTICE FURTHER EXEMPTIONS FROM 1 MARCH 2006 Pending the allocation of long-term commercial fishing rights, the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Branch: Marine and Coastal Management (“the Department”) has granted exemptions in certain fisheries so that fishing can continue until the final allocations have been announced. NETFISH (BEACH SEINE/TREKNET, GILLNET/DRIFTNET)
A further exemption is hereby granted to the following categories of applicants in the Netfish (Beach Seine/Treknet, Gillnet/Driftnet) fishing sector that have applied and were granted an exemption to continue fishing until 28 February 2006:
Current holders of medium-term rights allocated in terms of Section 18 of the Marine Living Resources Act, 1998 (Act 18 of 1998) (“the Act’), as well as
current holders of Exemptions granted in terms of Section 81 of the Act.
Medium-term right holders and exemption holders that have not applied for the February 2006 exemption may still make an application for the further exemption. Applications must be submitted to the Customer Services Centre, 2nd Floor, Foretrust Building, Martin Hammerschlag Way, Foreshore, Cape Town.
The further exemption is valid until the date of the announcement of the long-term rights allocation in the Netfish (Beach Seine/Treknet, Gillnet/Driftnet) fishing sector. HAKE LONGLINE
A further exemption is hereby granted to current holders of medium-term rights allocated in terms of Section 18 of the Act in the Hake Longline fishing sector that have applied for and were granted an exemption until 28 February 2006.
Medium-term right holders that have not applied for the February 2006 exemption may still make an application for the further exemption. Applications must be submitted to the Customer Services Centre, 2nd Floor, Foretrust Building, Martin Hammerschlag Way, Foreshore, Cape Town.
The further exemption is valid until the date of the announcement of the long-term rights allocation in the Hake Longline fishing sector.
15 February 2006
EXEMPTION OF SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS
The Deputy Director-General of the Department has exempted those applicants that successfully applied for long term fishing rights in the fisheries listed below from applying for and being in possession of a valid fishing permit for the applicable fisheries with effect from 1 March 2006 to 17h00 on 8 March 2006.
During this "exemption" period right holders must urgently apply for their annual fishing permits, vessel licences and pay their grant of right fees, which will be stipulated in their notification letters.
Those medium term right holder applicants that were not granted rightsMUST return to harbour by no later than 17h00 on 1 March 2006. Should these applicants not return timeously, the vessels and catch landed may be confiscated.
EXEMPTIONS FOR FEBRUARY 2006 Pending the allocation of long term fishing rights, the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism has granted exemptions in certain fisheries so that fishing can continue until the final allocations have been announced... (read more...)
20 February 2006 PUBLIC NOTICE: SUBA DIVING IN MPAs Frequently asked question Q: Does the exemption for scuba diving in MPAs (Marine Protected Areas) for commercial purposes include both students and paying clients? A: Yes. It has been decided by the DDG of MCM that the currently issued exemptions for commercial operators to scuba dive in MPAs includes both their students and normal paying clients. The rationale for this is that some paying clients will in fact be logging time towards a more advanced qualification during their dives. However, this inclusion of paying clients places the obligation on the commercial exemption holder to ensure adherence to exemption conditions by such clients at all times, or else general condition 1.2 will be applicable. In addition this interpretation should not create any expectation that the same or a similar arrangement will form part of a permit system in future. For further enquiries contact Risha Persad on (021) 402-3537.
Wednesday, 22 February 2006 ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT CONFERENCE - DURBAN BRING COMMUNITIES ON BOARD TO SUCCEED WITH ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT “One of the key challenges for this conference is to elaborate on the most effective approaches and strategies to... (read more...)
Monday, 20 February 2006
LIST OF SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS FOR LONG TERM COMMERCIAL SQUID FISHING RIGHTS The Delegated Authority for the Squid fishery, Mr A Share and the Rights Allocation Unit have released the attached list of successful Squid applicants... (read more...)
Thursday, 16 February 2006 Training on disentanglement of whales
South African Disentanglement Network formed
The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, as one of the members of the newly established South African Disentanglement Network... (read more...)
Monday, 13 February 2006 STATEMENT BY THE OFFICE OF MARTHINUS VAN SCHALKWYK, MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM, ON 13 FEBRUARY 2006 “We can all do more. We should all do more - in every office and every home in South Africa.” This was the message of Marthinus van Schalkwyk, Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism... (read more...)
Monday, the 6th of February 2006
PREVENTATIVE ENFORCEMENT STRATEGY PAYING DIVIDENDS AS CONFISCATED ABALONE NUMBERS DECLINE AND POACHERS PREVENTED FROM DIVING Following the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism’s national enforcement conference aimed at strengthening environmental enforcement in South Africa... (read more...)
Friday, 03 February 2006
POACHERS’ PLANS FOILED, HOSTAGE DRAMA ENSUED Law enforcement officials thwarted plans for poaching of a group of more than 20 poachers when they closed in on them in Rocket Road, Houtbay yesterday (Wednesday 2 February 2006)... (read more...)
Wednesday, 01 February 2006
LONG TERM RIGHTS DECISIONS The decisions by the Delegated Authority for the following fisheries are available for download... (read more...)
Tuesday, 10 January 2006
GOVERNMENT SUCCESSULLY STOPPED POTENTIAL ABALONE POACHERS The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) and the South African Navy have spoilt the party of 120 potential poachers in Port Elizabeth when it stopped them ... (read more...)
