Department: Environmental Affairs and Tourism

For immediate release

STATEMENT BY MARTHINUS VAN SCHALKWYK, MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM, REGARDING THE SUSPENSION OF THE WILD ABALONE COMMERCIAL SECTOR, WEDNESDAY 31 OCTOBER 2007

SUSPENSION OF WILD ABALONE COMMERCIAL FISHING TO TAKE EFFECT ON 1 FEBRUARY 2008

Cabinet last week supported a recommendation from the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism to suspend wild abalone (also known as perlemoen) commercial fishing to ensure the survival of the species. Cabinet was also sensitive to the impact this decision will have on the livlihoods of many families in coastal communities and therefore approved a Social Plan to mitigate these impacts. We will further engage communities on the Social plan to mitigate these impacts. This plan includes our departments commitment to developing a sustainable marine aquaculture industry and the issuing of additional permits for whale watching and shark cage diving. I will tomorrow at the subsistence fishing summit in Port Elizabeth announce further detail regarding the far reaching interventions we will be making in the marine aquaculture industry.

I remain of the view that the abalone resource is endangered due to ecological changes and poaching. This fishery is in a crisis and should be managed as an emergency. The closure of the abalone fishery is the right thing to do. There is also broad, acknowledgement that the resource is in a crisis.

I have applied my mind to the numerous pleas I have received from communities regarding the implementation date of the decision. After carefully considering these appeals I requested the department to see if there could be a scientific basis to delay the implementation date of this decision. After receiving a report from them earlier this morning and taking into account the socio economic implications of this important decision, I have decided to delay the implementation of the decision to 1 February 2008.

I want to reiterate that to suspend fishing in any fishery is a very difficult decision to take as we are aware that such a decision will have an impact on the livelihoods of many people and families in the industry. Our decision today will ensure that communities will over the festive season and the start of the new school term have some source of income. We will also use this opportunity to engage communities on the Social Plan to mitigate these impacts.

I have accordingly determined, on the recommendation from the departments researchers and management, a Total Allowable Catch of 75 tons with the following conditions.

· The global TAC will be apportioned proportionately among right holders

· Right holders will be expected to follow the normal permitting process

· A limited group of harvesters and vessels be nominated by right holders to fish on behalf of the rest

· Right holders be consulted on specific allocation and harvesting arrangements

· The fishery will close on 31 January 2008

The TAC will be apportioned as follows.

Zone A (Gansbaai to Die Dam)	zero (unchanged)
Zone B (Gansbaai)	25 tons (reduced from 75 tons)
Zone C (Hermanus/Hawston)	zero (unchanged)
Zone D (Cape Hangklip to Betties Bay):	zero (unchanged)
Zone E (Kommetjie)	12 tons (unchanged)
Zone F (Robben Island)	20 tons (unchanged)
Zone G (Yzerfontein)	18 tons (unchanged)

To ensure that the suspension of harvesting is observed we will continue efforts to clamp down on poaching. I am encouraged by the reaction from some communities that they are willing to work with government in this regard. Furthermore, the department will consult with stakeholders on the possibility of imposing a diving ban in certain areas to further protect the abalone resource. The department will continue to closely assess the stock levels of abalone.