TAC increases confirmed

Sardine TAC increases

SOUTH AFRICA: The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has announced the increase of the sardine total allowable catch (TAC) for the areas West of the Cape Agulhas.

The TAC has been increased by 6,000 tonnes, from 30,500 tonnes to 36,500 tonnes. The increase comprises 3,000 tonnes supported by the revised survey timing corrections and a further 3,000 tonnes made available through the conversion of existing sardine Total Allowable Bycatches (TABs).

The decision follows several requests from stakeholders in the commercial Small Pelagic sector expressing concerns due to a shortage of sardine for processing on the areas West of the Cape Agulhas, resulting in socio-economic hardship, with several right holders having already harvested their local sardine TAC allocations and being forced to scale down operations.

Consequently, these circumstances placed over one thousand jobs at risk. Minister Aucamp, therefore, instructed the Small Pelagic Scientific Working Group (SWG) to investigate whether additional sardine TAC could be made available for the areas West of the Cape Agulhas in the short term to assist in alleviating these impacts. Following their deliberations, the SWG reached a decision on Monday, 29 June 2026.

“I remain fully cognisant of the important contribution that the commercial small pelagic sector makes to job creation and in this case, over 5000 livelihoods will be protected as a direct result of this decision,” said Minister Aucamp during his last day in office. “While the decision is a welcome intervention, it is equally critical that we continue to maintain the ‘sweet spot’ between inclusive economic growth, job creation and environmental protection.”

The determination of the TAC is governed by the provisions of the Marine Living Resources Act, 1998 (Act No. 18 of 1998). It is informed by the best available scientific advice, the application of the precautionary approach, and the current process used to develop scientific recommendations for TAC setting in the management of the Small Pelagic sector.

The Department will continue to monitor the status of the resource through its established scientific assessment and stakeholder engagement processes. Any future adjustments to management of our small pelagic stock will be considered strictly within the framework of the applicable scientific advice, sustainable resource management and legislative requirements.