Question NW1069 to the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries
25 October 2019 - NW1069
August, Mr SN to ask the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries
(1) Whether, in view of the fact that the former Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries was unable to resolve the matter of the long-term fishing rights in the abalone commercial sector since 2016, her department has made any progress with regard to the Fishing Rights Allocation Process (FRAP 2020); if not, by what date does she expect the (a) FRAP 2020 to be completed and (b) abalone fishing allocations to be finalised In order for harvesting to commence; if so, (2) has the abalone fishing sector been included In the FRAP 2020; If not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(1)(a) On 04 September 2019, Cabinet endorsed the recommendation to extend the timeframes for dealing with the fishing rights in 12 commercial fishing secto11 which ~ due to expire on 31 December 2020. The FRAP process will therefore be extended until 31 December 2021.
During this time, the Department will conduct Socio-Economic Impact Analysis studies on the General Policy on the Allocation of Commercial Fishing Rights as well as the 12 sector-specific polices. The Department will also appoint a number of service providers ~ manage and observe the Rights Allocation process; to develop and manage the database; to assist with adjudications, and to conduct forensic Investigations and audits on the information provided by the applicants. The Department will ensure that the awarding of all the tenders as well as the actual decision-making during the allocation process Is open to public scrutiny. The Department will also use the additional time to ensure that the decision making is supported by credible scientific and sock>«:onomic information on all the fishing sectors due for reallocation.
(1)(b) The abalone fishery Is currently operating under exemption. A further exemption will be granted for the 2019n020 fishing season in order to allow for the harvesting of this resource.
(2) The Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries decided to postpone the allocation of fishing rights in order to allow the time to engage meaningfully with interested and affected parties, with the aim of developing a roadmap and turnaround strategy involving a range of local and International stakeholders for the future sustainable management of fishing. To this end, we will appoint a special task team with speclflc terms of reference to take the process forward.
MS BD CREECY, MP
MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES
DATE: 24/10/2019