Western Cape divers will be the main beneficiaries of the 10-year perlemoen harvesting rights granted under a proposed new policy that places a moratorium on quotas for recreational divers and eliminates larger fishing companies from competing for the rapidly dwindling mollusc.
”Divers have always been at the mercy of others … This is taking empowerment to its logical conclusion, that is empowering he or she who is actually doing the work, the diving,” said Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism Mohammed Valli Moosa on Tuesday.
Divers allocated 10-year rights would secure a ”reasonable income” and the bigger fishing companies would still play a role in the value-added industry and exports.
One of the new proposal’s main aims is to ensure that the perle- moen industry becomes sustainable. Perlemoen numbers have rapidly declined in the past few years because of poaching. The poachers often work for criminal syndicates supplying Far East markets where perlemoen is regarded as an aphrodisiac. Over-harvesting by recreational divers has also contributed to the rapid decline in stocks.
This year’s 430-ton quota is significantly down from the 600 tons allocated last year and the 693 tons in 2000.
The proposed policy will be adopted after the deadline for public comment ends on September 19. The first 10-year rights are expected to be allocated by December 1, when the perlemoen season starts.
The policy proposes dividing the Western Cape coastline — from Cape Columbine on the West Coast to Cape Agulhas on the south Cape coast — into seven zones, each of which will be further sub-divided. The perlemoen stocks in each zone will be ascertained and then allocated to applicants from the 300-odd Western Cape professional divers who may apply for a quota.
”A person with the right has the incentive to ensure the harvesting for each season takes place on a sustainable basis. A sense of ownership will be felt,” said Moosa. ”It is very unlikely that for the short-term gain any of the divers is going to participate in criminal syndicates.”
Discussions about a perlemoen policy for the Eastern Cape are still under way.