Question NW3422 to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
20 November 2018 - NW3422
Van Dalen, Mr P to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
1. Did any foreign–flagged fishing vessels participate in joint venture agreements with fishing quota holders in South Africa’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in any of the past three financial years for which information is available; if not , how was this conclusion reached; if so, ( a) on which (i) provision and (ii) Act did the holders of fish quotas rely in each case,( b) which fishing quota holders were involved in each case, (c) what number of foreign vessels were engaged in this activity and (d) since what date have these joint venture agreements been taking place; 2. Whether licence to enter the EEZ were issued to reach of the foreign vessels in terms of section 39 of the Marine Living Resource Act, Act 18 of 1998; if not, how did the ships obtain permission to enter the EEZ in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?
Reply:
- Yes
a) Section 7.2 (e) of the Policy for the Allocation and Management of Fishing Rights in the Large Pelagic Longline Sector: 2015. This provision stipulates that because of a lack of suitable South African vessels and South Africa’s limited experience in tuna longlining, joint ventures with non – South Africans may be a necessity; In additi.on, South Africa is a Contracting Member of the International Commission for Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) and the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOCT) and is bound to adhere to respective Recommendations and Resolutions of the respective tuna Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (tRFMOs). One of those is ‘’Vessel Chartering “which allows for fishing vessels to be chartered between Contracting Parties.
b) Combined Fishing Enterprises CC, Ferro Fishing ( Pty) Ltd and Impala Fishing ( Pty) Ltd
c) Three (3)
d) 2005
2. Yes
In accordance with section 39 of the Marine Living Resources Act, 1998 (Act No.18 of 1998) (“the MLRA’’), a foreign vessel license is issued to the vessels before any fishing activity can take place. In addition and in accordance with section 13 of the MLRA, a Permit to Undertake Commercial Fishing of Large Pelagic Longline is issued to the Right Holder, permitting the vessel to harvest the Large Pelagic species allocated to the Right Holder. Lastly, a Fish Processing Establishment permit is issued to the vessels as they process fish on board. The vessels are subjected to the applicable domestic legislation and permit conditions, including a Vessel Monitoring System and additionally, foreign fishing vessels are required to have 100% Observer coverage.
Noting South Africa’s obligations to the ICCAT and IOCT, all the catch and observer data accrues to South Africa.