Consideration of & Report on the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses & Petrels.

MINUTES OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON LAND AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS
25 September 2002.
PRESENT:

Eastern Cape
Mr R Z Nogumla

Free State
Rev M Chabaku

Mpumalanga
Mr V V Z Windvoël

Northern Cape
Mr M A Sulliman

Limpopo
Mr R M Nyakane

North-West
Rev P Moatshe
Mr M E Surty (Visiting member)

APOLOGIES
Dr E A Conroy
Ms B N Dlulane
Ms B Thompson

Also in attendance, from the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, were:
Dr M Mayekiso - Chief Director: Research
Mr B Watkins - Resource Manager: Tooth Fish

AGENDA: 1. Consideration of and Report on the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels.

The Chairperson opened the meeting and welcomed members and guests present.

Briefing by Mr B Watkins of Marine and Coastal Management (MCM) on the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels.

In his briefing, Mr Watkins pointed to some of the measures that are being employed to minimise the danger to seabirds of long-line fishing. He also pointed to the costs and benefits of South Africa's accession to the Agreement (see Appendix 1).

Responses to Questions:

Questions from members were dealt with jointly by Dr Mayekiso and Mr Watkins. In their replies, they raised the following points:

The numbers of vessels that fish in a particular area are determined by Radar sightings.

Taiwanese and Japanese vessels are the main offenders when it comes to the destruction of seabirds. Their licences to fish in South African waters will not be renewed for 2003. The Japanese case is however still open for negotiation.

According the National Plan of Action, there will be more observer coverage on vessels engaging in long-line fishing in South African waters. If vessels do not comply with safety measures, they can be seized.

Having independent observers is the best control method. Compliance documents are not as suitable since skippers are reluctant to employ safety measures. The latter method will however be applied where coverage by observers cannot be achieved.

South Africa is not prepared to engage in a trade off with offending countries in order to allow them to continue to fish in our waters.

The Agreement will encourage countries to conserve the birds both in their own and in international waters. Fishing in the international waters will be controlled by Regional Fishing Organisations.

Although South Africa does not have one agency for the enforcement of agreements of this kind, the Department does co-operate with the SA Navy and other law enforcement agencies.

Adoption of Report:

A report was adopted recommending that South Africa should ratify the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels.

General:

The Committee decided that it should conduct a workshop with members of MCM some time next year to look into the political implications of some of the conservation agreements which had been ratified in 2002. The methods of ensuring compliance to these Treaties would also be looked at and capacity building amongst PDI would be stressed. The integration of the various enforcement agencies could also be looked at.

Conclusion:

The Chairperson thanked members and guests for their attendance and adjourned the meeting at 11:15.

Rev P Moatshe
Chairperson: Select Committee on Land and Environmental Affairs/