TO : DON PINNOCK

FROM : Daily Maverick

E-MAIL : don@pinnock.co.za

TEL : Cell 083 443 8116

RE : FISHING QUOTA AND LICENSING SYSTEM

BACKGROUND AND REQUEST:

I'm doing a series of stories on fishing for Daily Maverick and am looking for someone to explain the
fishing quota and licensing system. It's very confusing and I'm trying to get a handle on it. Also if there
is something clear written about it that would be great.

Many thanks,

QUESTION:

1. How many sectors have been allocated rights?

During the 2020/2021 Fishing Rights Allocation Process (FRAP2020/2021), the Department
allocated commercial fishing rights in ten (10) fishing sectors; namely: Demersal Shark, Hake
Deepsea Trawl, Hake Longline, KZN Crustacean Trawl, Small Pelagic (Anchovy), Small Pelagic
(Sardines), South Coast Rock Lobster, Squid, Tuna Pole-Line and Traditional Linefish.

2. How many appeals were registered in the last allocation and how many have been finalised?

Breakdown of Appeals received and finalised per Fishing Sector

Fishing Sector Total Appeals received Total Appeals finalised
Demersal Shark 1 1
Hake Deep Sea Trawl 120 120
Hake Long Line 280 0
KZN Crustacean Trawl 8 8
SP (Anchovy) 230 0

1
 SP (Sardine) 169 0
South Coast Rock Lobster 37 37
Squid 97 97
Traditional Linefish 181 181
Tuna Pole Line 91 91
Total 1214 535

3. What is the reason most applicants in the Kalk Bay small-scale fishing sector were denied
licences/quotas?
This is not the case. Out of 148 small-scale fishers who applied to be recognised and to be granted
fishing rights in Kalk Bay under the small-scale fishing sector, only 4 applicants were unsuccessful.
Unsuccessful applicants may in terms of the act appeal to the Minister against a decision taken by
the Delegated Authority, setting out all the relevant facts as well as the grounds of their appeal.

4. What is the kingklip bycatch limit on hake fishing?

The Upper Precautionary Catch Limit (UPCL) for Kingklip for the 2023 fishing season is 4 047 tons.

5. Could you send me an example of an online fishing application form for a commercial fishing right?
Online application form as well the General Policy and Sector Specific Polices are attached herein.
General Policy and Specimen Forms

6. Was it designed with small-scale fishers in mind? I ask because they say it is unintelligible.
The online fishing application form was designed for applications in the commercial fishing sector.
The Application process and form for Small-scale Fisheries were designed with the Small-scale
fishers in mind and the necessary required support was provided during the application process.

7. Have there been any charges/convictions against Fisheries officers in the past 10 years?
There have been charges/convictions against Fisheries Control Officers (FCO) in the past 10 years.
A total of 9 officials were charged in the Gans Bay case and 7 officials were found guilty and
convicted for corruption, fraud, theft, and crimes in terms of the prevention of organized act. They
were sentenced to imprisonment terms during September 2023. One FCO was charged for west
coast rock lobster transgressions in Kleinmond and resigned from DFFE. The case is ongoing. One
official from the Gans Bay station was also charged and convicted during April 2021 on corruption
charges.

8. Your website www.dffe.gov.za has no information about fisheries and appears to be out of date.
When will it be updated?

The fisheries information is available on the website under the Fisheries Management Branch and
is updated on a continuous basis.

Regards

2
PETER MBELENGWA
CHIEF DIRECTOR: COMMUNICATION AND ADVOCACY
DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY, FISHERIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT