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Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Valli Moosa, has informed the commercial fishing industry that he has allocated medium-term fishing rights for West Coast rock lobster. Rights have been allocated for a four-year period to 510 successful applicants.

A total of 189 fishing rights were allocated to commercial rock lobster fishers, and 321 rights were allocated to limited commercial rights holders. An amount of 162,6 tonnes (7.6% of the total allowable catch - TAC) was reserved for the appeal process. A further 181.8 tonnes have been held in reserve pending an investigation into 450 applications that were submitted by fishers from Oceanview, Kommetjie and Masiphumelele.

A percentage of the TAC has been held in reserve for possible allocation to applicants in the fishing zone east of Cape Hangklip. At present, legislation prohibits the commercial exploitation of West Coast rock lobster east of Cape Hangklip. However, scientists believe that the resource may be capable of sustaining a commercial fishery in this area, and the Department has committed itself to reviewing the 557 applications from fishers in this zone early in 2002.

RECORD NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS

The Department received a record, 1 959 applications for harvesting West Coast rock lobster. Of these, 353 applications were for full commercial rights (an application fee of R6 000 was paid), and 1 606 applications were for limited commercial fishing rights (an application fee of R500 was paid).

The limited commercial right has replaced the subsistence permits that previously allowed the poorest fishers to harvest and sell four rock lobster per day. Subsistence harvesting of West Coast rock lobster was phased out after the 2000-01 fishing season, following a recommendation by the Subsistence Fisheries Task Group (SFTG). The SFTG completed a comprehensive study of subsistence fisheries around the South African coast, and suggested that abalone and rock lobster were not suitable for subsistence fishing because of their high value. Instead, the SFTG recommended that limited commercial fishing rights be allocated for these resources in order to encourage the establishment of small businesses, particularly in historically disadvantaged coastal communities. It is estimated that the allocation of limited commercial rights will inject R39 million into these communities.

The TAC for West Coast rock lobster was set at 2 126 tonnes for the 2001-02 fishing season, an increase of 14% over the previous year's TAC. Scientific research indicates that the West Coast rock lobster resource is stable and capable of sustaining increased exploitation. Medium-term fishing rights for the fishery are allocated for a four-year period, while the TAC will continue to be reviewed on an annual basis and allocated proportionately among rights-holders.

The Department anticipates that the allocation of four-year rights will create a climate of stability in the South African fishing industry and enhance the capacity of the West Coast rock lobster industry to build stable markets for South African rock lobster products abroad. Furthermore, following the conclusion of the current rights-allocation process, the Department will be well placed to devote more effort to ensuring that over-fishing and the illegal harvesting of fisheries resources are eradicated.

FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR APPLICATION

Applicants for West Coast rock lobster fishing rights will be notified by mail about the outcome of their applications. Lists of successful applicants will also be posted at the coastal offices of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism from today. The lists can also be obtained via e-mail - contact Zino Sishuta at telephone (021) 402-3025, mobile (082) 374-7727 or e-mail zsishuta@mcm.wcape.gov.za. The lists are also available on the Department's website: http://www.environment.gov.za.

Successful applicants will be required to obtain the necessary fishing permits from the Department's Foreshore, Cape Town offices before they may start fishing. In order to accommodate the large number of fishers who will need to obtain permits, the Department's permitting office will remain open during the week between 08h00 and 19h00.

THE ALLOCATION PROCESS

The following facts pertain to the allocation of West Coast rock lobster rights:

* A percentage of the TAC has been reserved for possible allocation to limited commercial rights-holders who reside in the area east of Cape Hangklip.

The Department received 557 applications from fishers in this area.

At present, legislation prohibits the commercial exploitation of rock lobster in the area east of Cape Hangklip. However, owing to the high number of applications for limited commercial rights in this area, coupled with preliminary scientific investigations that show that the resource could sustain a small commercial fishery, the Department is investigating amending this legislation. It is possible that, if the legislation is amended, the Department will consider applications from fishers in this area early in 2002.

The area east of Cape Hangklip sustains a large recreational fishery for West Coast rock lobster.

New research has shown that large numbers of West Coast rock lobster appear to have migrated from the traditional fishing grounds of the West Coast to the south-coast region. Although the exact reasons for this migration are not known, it is believed that a change in environmental conditions might have precipitated the movement. Interestingly, the movement of the West Coast rock lobster, Jasus lalandii, is believed to have impacted negatively on the abalone resource in this region - a resource that is already under tremendous pressure because of large-scale poaching. Jasus lalandii are known to prey on sea urchins, a species that provides vital protection for juvenile abalone.

* The 450 applications for fishing rights that were received from fishers in the Oceanview, Masiphumelele and Kommetjie area will be investigated by the Department before any rights are allocated for the Witsand fishing grounds. The investigation has been undertaken on the recommendation of the advisory committee which believes that there is a strong possibility that the substantial benefits that are generated by a limited fishing right for West Coast rock lobster might be passed on to persons other than the applicants.

* The quota allocated to limited commercial rights-holders generally ranges between 530 kg and 800 kg for non-vessel owners, and 1 000 kg and 1 500 kg for vessels owners. Limited commercial rights-holders will be required to catch their allocation in the fishing zone that is closest to the landing site that they indicated on their application form. This permit condition will assist the Department with monitoring the fishery and ensure that fishers are spared the expense, inconvenience and dangers associated with travelling long distances to fishing grounds.

* In determining the allocations in the commercial fishery for West Coast rock lobster, account was taken of, among other things, the degree to which applicants have demonstrated transformation with regard to ownership and participation at senior and executive management level, as well as the level of investment in the fishery. In all, 32 new applicants were afforded the opportunity of participating in the commercial fishery for West Coast rock lobster.

See the Department's web site for the following annexures:

Annexure A: "Successful applicants: Commercial West Coast rock lobster -- 2001-02 season", including "Division of commercial TAC of 2 126 000 kg" (http://www.environment.gov.za/Documents/Documents/Lobster_AnnA_13122001.htm)

Annexure B: "Successful applicants: Limited West Coast rock lobster 2001-02 season" (http://www.environment.gov.za/Documents/Documents/Lobster_AnnB_13122001.htm)

Annexure C: "Late applications for West Coast rock lobster" (http://www.environment.gov.za/Documents/Documents/Lobster_AnnC_13122001.htm)

Issued by: Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, 12 December 2001