Fisheries
latest news & developments
Sardine fishery faces possible restrictions as PHV mortality spreads
South Africa’s sardine fishery may face precautionary catch limits as the government investigates widespread sardine deaths linked to pilchard herpesvirus across 2,600km of…
A sea of uncertainty
A spreading sardine mortality event linked to pilchard herpesvirus has hit South Africa and Namibia, raising alarms over total biomass loss, fishery limits, and the survival of…
Canned sardines safe to eat despite pilchard herpesvirus, authorities say
South African authorities confirm commercially canned sardines remain safe to eat despite the detection of pilchard herpesvirus in wild populations, but warn against collecting…
‘No one asked us’: West Coast fishers oppose offshore oil and gas development
From Doringbaai to Port Nolloth, West Coast communities are pushing back against mining and offshore oil and gas expansion. Residents, activists and fishers say consultation…
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife resorts to dehorning rhinos to limit poaching
Most of the 325 rhinos that died in KwaZulu-Natal were a result of poaching the animals for their horns
Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
South Africa has had a mixed bag of environmental ministers over the past 30 years and, bar a few, most have taken the environmental agenda forward
Overfishing depletes the Zambezi
As desperate Zimbabweans turn to fishing, catches are fast dwindling and it will take many years to repopulate the river
Government, Eskom taken to court over Richards Bay gas power plan
The landmark case marks the first against environmental authorisation for gas power plant in South Africa
Screen Grab: Deeply shallow
The documentary ‘Seaspiracy’ is a textbook display of disingenuous interviewing
Chinese trawlers bust in SA waters allowed to depart
Vessels were detained and fined — no evidence of illegal fishing was found
SA at sea over illegal fishing in its waters
Foreign trawlers invading South Africa’s oceans costs the economy R60bn a year because it can’t afford to patrol and control its resources.
New app for small-scale fishing industry
The new app – known as Abalobi – signals a lifeline for fisherfolk who were marginalised and never had legal rights to fish marine resources.
Fisheries department will call on police to deal with corruption
Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson says she will call in the police if an internal probe reveals corrupt activity within the department.
Fight to net sea lion’s share of pilchard market heats up
Oceana asks the Competition Tribunal to overturn a decision by the commission.
Line fisherman to challenge licence decisions in court
Line fisherman have sought an urgent interdict against the fisheries department after its allocation of permits left many of without licences to fish.