Question NW2807 to the Minister of Environmental Affairs
24 August 2015 - NW2807
Singh, Mr N to ask the Minister of Environmental Affairs
Whether, given the large-scale exploitation of the Blacktip Shark, Bronze Whaler Shark and Dusky Shark in South Africa’s fishing waters and the lack of scientific research available on the sustainability of the specified species, she will consider granting protection in the interim through regulation that the specified species may not be caught or landed within all marine protected areas along the South African coastline?
Reply:
The Blacktip Shark, Bronze Whaler Shark and Dusky Shark are commercially exploited species in South Africa and are caught in a permitted shark fishery. The management of fishing effort and fishing quotas is a function of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), which undertakes research in support of shark fishery management. DAFF are best suited to provide additional detail on the management objectives for these species.
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South Africa’s Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are currently used to provide additional protection to exploited fish species, including sharks, either by prohibiting all exploitation of marine resources or restricting some exploitation activities. MPAs cannot be regarded as a primary fishery management tool as the current network covers less than 1% of South Africa’s Exclusive Economic Zone and MPAs are unevenly distributed between the different eco-regions. Additional MPAs are currently being considered through the Operation Phakisa processes and these will contribute to overall increase in the protection of marine biodiversity.
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