1. PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES
Test
STATUS OF THE SMALL-SCALE FISHERIES
IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS
9 February 2016

2. Presentation Outline Milestones achieved
Implementation process going forward
Challenges 2

3. Milestones Achieved
Small-scale Fishing Regulations vetted by OCSLA – Dec 2015
DPME signed-off on the SEIAS – Dec 2015
KZN service provider appointed – Dec 2015
First open discussion with stakeholders on marine resource apportionment between sectors – Dec 2015
Small-Scale Fishing Regulations approved by Minister – Jan 2016
Information Management System completed to be used for the fisher verification process – Jan 2016
Media briefing - small-scale fisheries implementation process – Feb 2016
Small-scale fisheries guide book printed in English – Feb 2016
Fisher verification protocol completed – Feb 2016
To date 267 communities registered an expression of interest (EoI)
Environmental scan completed for communities that registered an EoI – Feb 2016
Traditional leaders and local municipalities briefed on the process – Feb 2016
Dedicated Facebook page up and running,
and web page under construction. 3

4. Implementation Process Going Forward
Awaiting sign-off from President pertaining to the promulgation of the Amended Marine Living Resources Act.
Once the abovementioned step is concluded the Department will publish the approved small-scale fishing regulations and Minister can announce the final call (30 days) for all outstanding communities to register their expression of interest.
The Department will announce a schedule for community visits to start the verification process of all members considering themselves as small-scale fishers in the registered communities.
This is the first important step in the process of allocating small-scale fishing rights. The remainder of the implementation process is explained in the attached poster. 4

5. Challenges
Resource apportionment between the fishing sectors (SSF; Commercial and Recreational)
Finalisation of a fee structure for the Small-Scale Sector with the concurrence of the Minister of Finance
Duration of the fishing rights (currently MRLA set at 15 years)- a precautionary approach needed for SSF
Capacity constraints given the expectation to support the development and management of the sector
Marine Protected Areas by DEA
iSimangaliso nature reserve (world heritage site) 5