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.

In terms of Section 14 of the Marine Living Resources Act the Minister must
determine the allowable TAC annually. In announcing the new TAC that
Minister said: "*The abalone resource is under tremendous pressure, mainly
from illegal harvesting (poaching) as well as the migration of rock lobster.
Over the past 10 years the TAC has decreased from 615 tons in 1995 to 223
tons in the 2005/2006 season. Another drastic reduction to 125 tons this
year is thus a natural progression that is necessitated by the current
stocks of the resource. Furthermore we have decided to reduce the TAC to
zero in 3 of the 7 zones. These are Zones A, C and D. We have also decided
to maintain the zero TAC in recreational, subsistence and foreign fishing.
This is the only responsible decision that I can take as the responsible
Minister."

In terms of specific area allocations, the following TAC limits have been set:

Zone A (Gansbaai to Die Dam): zero (reduced from 8 tons)

Zone B (Gansbaai): 75 tons (reduced from 145 tons)

Zone C (Hermanus/Hawston): zero (reduced from 8 tons)

Zone D (Cape Hangklip to Betties Bay): zero (reduced from 8 tons)

Zone E (Kommetjie): 12 tons (unchanged)

Zone F (Robben Island): 20 tons (unchanged)

Zone G (Yzerfontein): 18 tons (reduced from 22 tons)

"Though we have had tremendous successes in apprehending poachers during the
past year, it is an ongoing challenge to keep the resource in the water,"
said the Minister. "To this end, we are working on a comprehensive plan that
will prevent the illegal harvesting (poaching) of abalone in the first
instance. This will go a long way towards preventing our stocks from being
entirely wiped out."

ENQUIRIES: Riaan Aucamp - 083-778-9923 or Blessing Manale - 083-3812939