South Africa’s Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism has allocated the first fishing rights for traditional linefish fishery, the government announced on Thursday. The allocation of rights signals a major shift in the management of the country’s traditional linefish resource as traditional linefish fishers operated under exemptions granted to them instead of rights.
The Department explained that the purpose of allocating rights was to facilitate law enforcement and compliance to ensure the conservation and management of the resource. It was furthermore aimed at encouraging investment in the industry and job creation. Right holders will be expected to implement transformation plans set out in their applications form, ensuring the advancement of change within the fishery.
A total number of 742 applications were received, 198 for full commercial rights and 544 for limited commercial rights.
A total of 126 full commercial rights were allocated, resulting in a crew allocation of 1 084 persons. Approximately 25,5% of these rights were granted to historically disadvantaged persons or substantially transformed applicants.
From the 544 limited commercial applications, a total of 250 rights were granted, resulting in a crew allocation of 1 064, as limited right users may not use more than 5 crew (including the skipper). Approximately 36,4% of the rights allocated were granted to historically disadvantaged persons.
A total of 376 rights, inclusive of full commercial rights and limited commercial rights, were therefore allocated.
The criteria used to allocate full commercial rights included the status of transformation of applicants, the degree of involvement and investment, focusing on investment in a suitable traditional linefish vessel and human resources, and substantial reliance on the resource for income.
The criteria used to allocate limited commercial rights included the historically disadvantaged status of applicants, the degree of involvement and investment focusing on investment in a suitable traditional linefish vessel, and substantial reliance on the resource for income.
The essential requirements for fishing in the fishery are ownership of, or access to an appropriate vessel and the use of hand line as the appropriate catching method.
Applicants, who hold rights or are substantially involved in another commercial fishing sector, whether limited or commercial, were not considered for a commercial traditional linefish right. Right holders are entitled to use only one vessel each, allowing more South Africans living in coastal communities to benefit from the fishery. – I-Net Bridge