The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) will hold an emergency Council session next week to address the growing threat to vessels and seafarers in one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints.

SOUTH AFRICA: Alerted by the unusual behaviour of four Chinese fishing vessels, teams from the Fisheries Branch of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment as well as the South African Police Service (SAPS) took action to intercept four Chinese fishing vessels within South Africa’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

SOUTH AFRICA: In a bid to address “decision paralysis”, the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Willie Aucamp has committed to address appeals lodged against several environmental authorisations granted for offshore oil and gas exploration projects.

NAMIBIA: Held at the end of last month, a four-day workshop aimed to strengthen the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing through training and capacity building.

SOUTH AFRICA: Members of the fishing sector were especially vocal at an engagement with the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) this week in Cape Town, pressing for the Authority to prioritise surveying and certification processes that are currently impacting the industry’s capacity to operate effectively.

SOUTH AFRICA: The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) is facing the industry in a series of engagements where stakeholders are being encouraged to express their concerns and table the immediate challenges. Based on input at the session in Cape Town, most of the critical issues centre around service delivery.

SOUTH AFRICA: Reporting more than 20% gains in volumes at their Matola Terminal, Grindrod Limited describes delivery over the last financial year as “exceptional”.

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.