An appealing decision by DFFE

Upholding appeals

SOUTH AFRICA: The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment has confirmed their intention to uphold the appeals submitted by the small-scale fishing cooperatives in the traditional linefish and West Coast Rock Lobster sector in an effort to restore confidence in the appeals process as well as strengthen the relationship between the fishing community and government.

Minister Willie Aucamp made the announcement during a joint press briefing with members of the fishing community yesterday.

“I must emphasise that the issuing of these decisions in such a short timeframe is exceptional in nature, but was not taken lightly,” said the Minister. “I considered all the facts that I had before me and needed to ensure that each appeal is processed thoroughly, lawfully, and in a manner that reflects the Department’s commitment to fairness, accountability, and the sustainable use of South Africa’s marine resources.”

The appeal from the linefish sector relates to the exclusion of almost 300 vessels from the formal allocation for the 2026/2027 fishing season, leaving the communities severely impacted. Prior to the latest allocation process, these fishers had been catered for in terms of the Interim Relief System.

After 16 years of benefiting from this relief system, the process of formalising the small-scale fishers into the Total Allowable Effort, resulted in stranding some 297 vessels with no allocation.  

After reviewing the relevant legislation, the scientific basis for TAE controls, and the historical reliance of small-scale communities on the Traditional Linefish vessels, the Minister has reinstated all 297 standard vessels into the TAE allocation for small-scale fishers for the 2026/2027 season.

In the interim, the Delegated Authority has issued exemptions to allow the small-scale fishers to continue operating while they are given enough opportunity to apply for their new 2026/2027 permits.

The Minister also confirmed the decisions to uphold appeals regarding the discrepancies in the distribution of the TAC in the WCRL fishery. These appeals came after some fishing cooperatives received smaller allocations than they had in previous years, despite the overall quota of West Coast Rock Lobster increasing after the distribution of the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for the 2025/2026 season.

Furthermore the Minister has requested the Delegated Authority to re-do the calculations to the individual cooperatives and this will be done by Tuesday and will not compromise the fishing ability of the fishers, and the season has also been extended by one month (from four months to five months).

 Joining Minister Aucamp during the media briefing, Hilda Adams of Mamre Fishing Primary Cooperatives and Chairperson of the West Coast Fishers Forum, thanked the Minister and expressed appreciation for the manner in which the matter was handled. “We are very happy with the timelines for the outcomes of these appeals,” she said. “We are also looking forward to further stakeholder engagements on all matters affecting our livelihoods and socio-economic circumstances, as well as our custodianship, especially as someone who was born into a fisher family.”

Faez Poggenpoel, a fifth generation fisher under the Kalk Bay Primary Cooperative, also joined the media briefing citing, “This kind of decision is unprecedented, we’ve never seen this type of movement. To protect our livelihood, to protect our cultural identity and to ensure that not only 297 vessels can fish, but if you multiply that by 10 crew, that’s over 15 000 direct dependents that would have been affected by this.”

PHOTO: Kalk Bay fishing harbour. (Adobe photostock licence)

A doctor on deck