Portfolio Committee SMALL-SCALE FISHERIES: DAFF’s PROGRESS IN RESOLVING FISHING COMMUNITY GRIEVANCES COMMITTED TO PC ON 31st JAN 2017 7th November 2017

Presentation Outline Introduction Feedback in progress in resolving grievances

Introduction On 25 November 2016 community fishers presented a list of grievances to the Portfolio Committee relating to the implementation of the Small-Scale Fishing Policy. DAFF listened and considered the grievances and provided an official response to the Portfolio Committee on the 31 January 2017. Table 1 summarizes all the grievances presented and the corresponding response by DAFF. Note the Department did not agree to respond to all grievances and those marked by N/A were considered not applicable for a response. All other grievances included a proposed response and timeframe to implement the proposed response.

Introduction (cont…) Grievance Proposal Timeframe 10 yrs experience considered too long as a SSF criteria No change proposed, but DAFF to ensure that all people that meet the criteria are included. N/A Minimum age of 18 yrs considered too old Three year duration of fishing right too short Align duration with commercial sector and increase to 15 yrs At time when SSF rights are to be allocated Not sufficient focus on youth DAFF to make bursaries for marine related studies available From 2018 Increase engagement with partners to facilitate youth development programmes When SSF rights are allocated Not sufficient focus on vulnerable groups Constitution template to include co-op social responsibility for child-headed households

Introduction (cont…) Grievance Proposal Timeframe Lack of intra-governmental support DAFF to continue increased engagement with Partners To be escalated when SSF rights are allocated Establish intra-governmental forum Once SSF rights are allocated Co-operatives too restrictive No change proposed N/A MPAs disadvantages SS Fishing Communities DAFF to continue engagements with DEA alerting DEA to the negative impacts proposed nearshore MPAs would have on coastal communities Ongoing Lack of marine resources available for small-scale fishers Prioritize SSF in the allocation of west coast rock lobster and abalone Feb 2017 Amend S21 Policy and provide mechanism of transfer of rights from commercial to Small-scale fisheries Jul 2017 Complete s28 process to revoke rights from nearshore rights holders that are not exercising their rights Reduce TAE in commercial sector to accommodate small-scale sector 2017-2019 Increase small-scale fishing TAE when nearshore commercial fishing rights expire in 2020 2020

Introduction (cont…) Grievance Proposal Timeframe People did not know about the registration process No changes proposed N/A Concern that fishers do not appear on the provisional list Unsuccessful applicants requested to lodge an appeal. Appeals to be submitted during the periods specified by the Department per province. Appeals process is difficult Appointment of Amagagasoshintsho DAFF to terminate contract following legal processes 2017 Depleted marine resources Alternatives to be considered to supplement wild capture fisheries including aquaculture, ranching and other alternative economic activities Start implementing after SSF rights are allocated Fisher security Increase engagements with partner organisations After the allocation of SSF rights

Introduction (cont…) Grievance Proposal Timeframe Eastern Cape Abalone Restart exp fishery Once SSF rights are allocated Communication DAFF to develop Stakeholder Engagement Plan April 2017 Fisheries dissemination forum to be established

Feedback on progress in resolving grievances Three year duration of fishing right too short The Department accepts a 15 year duration of small-scale fishing rights, but was not able to formally retract the gazetted decision of a three year right.   Not sufficient focus on youth DAFF to make bursaries available for youth in fishing communities in 2018 for marine related studies. Due to be implemented in next year. Increase engagement with partners to facilitate youth development programmes was earmarked as an intervention when small-scale fishing rights are allocated. No rights have yet been allocated in the small-scale fishing sector, hence nothing to report thus far. Not sufficient focus on vulnerable groups The constitution of small-scale fishing co-operatives has been amended to include social responsibility for vulnerable groups. Will be put into effect once co-operatives are registered and small-scale fishing rights are allocated.

Feedback on progress in resolving grievances Lack of intra-governmental support SSFM directorate severely understaffed and barely has enough staff to establish the small-scale fishing sector. Further concerted engagements with partners will only be possible after small-scale fishing rights have been allocated.   The establishment of an intra-governmental forum was committed to as an intervention, but was only earmarked after small-scale fishing rights have been allocated. Stakeholder Engagement should be made aware of this commitment and should be required to report on progress in this regard. MPAs disadvantages small-scale fishing communities DAFF continues to give input in DEA’s process of establishing new MPA’s and raises the concern regarding impacts on poor coastal fishing communities.

Feedback on progress in resolving grievances Lack of marine resources available for small-scale fishers In attempting to address this grievance the Department has since the Portfolio Committee meeting in January 2017 set aside 50% of the nearshore west coast rock lobster allocation for the small-scale fishing sector. In addition, 20% of the offshore west coast rock lobster has been set aside for the small-scale fishing sector. In context of an unchanged Total Allowable Catch this translates to almost a 300% increase in quota compared to what is currently given to Interim Relief fishers. The Department has also set aside 4,918 tons whole kelp and 25 seaweed resource groups in 15 harvesting areas for the small-scale fishing sector. Section 21 policy still to be amended. Section 28 process to revoke rights of commercial right holders not utilizing their rights have been embarked upon. No rights yet revoked as process is still ongoing Reducing the Total Applied Effort in commercial sectors to accommodate the small-scale fishing still needs to be done. Increase small-scale fishing effort in 2020 can only occur with a change of policy reducing the allocation of commercial fishing rights in 2020.  

Feedback on progress in resolving grievances Concerns that fishers do not appear on the provisional list Unsuccessful applicants were encouraged to lodge an appeal according to a simple appeals process. The appeal form was simplified and provided in four languages. DAFF officials were also stationed in communities to assist with the lodging of appeals. The appeals periods have closed for all provinces and the Department has already assessed all the appeals and provided quality control checks on the assessed appeals. The Department is now in the process of announcing the final list of successful fishers, which started in the Northern Cape on 31 October 2017. It is noted that the unsuccessful applicants that provided appeals generally provided good information whereby the Minister could overturn the previous decision.   Appointment of Amagagasoshintsho The termination of Amagagasoshintsho contract is still under consideration.

Feedback on progress in resolving grievances Depleted marine resources The Department is well aware of the compromised status of many marine resources. These resources are not sufficient to sustain co-operatives according to normal fishing practices. The Department plans to intervene after the rights have been allocated to encourage co-operatives to be involved in the entire value chain and thereby obtain greater value for product. The Department also plans to improve the market access for co-operatives with the facilitation of marketing partners and introduction of Abalobi. Over the medium term the Department will also promote alternative livelihoods such as aquaculture ecotourism etc.   Fisher security The Department plans to improve fisher security by facilitating partnership programmes, but this can only be done once small-scale fishing rights have been allocated.

Feedback on progress in resolving grievances Eastern Cape Abalone The Department committed to revive the experimental fishery for Eastern Cape abalone only once small-scale fishing rights have been allocated.   Communication A Stakeholder Engagement Plan was committed to by April 2017 in addition to the establishment of a fisheries dissemination forum. A stakeholder engagement plan and establishment of a fisheries dissemination forum is still to be adopted.

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