CONFIDENTIAL

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ON EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ON THE MARINE LIVING THE MARINE LIVING

RESOURCES AMENDMENT RESOURCES AMENDMENT BILL, 2013BILL, 20138 October 2013 8 October 2013 

  

BACKGROUND

• There is currently no legal framework to implement the Policy for the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector (the Policy) in South Africa which was published as Government Notice 474 in Government Gazette No. 35455 on 20 June 2012.

• The promulgation of the Marine Living Resources Amendment Bill, 2013 will enable the Minister to allocate small-scale fishing rights and in a substantial manner transform the inequalities of the past fisheries system.

2CONFIDENTIAL

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE MARINE LIVING RESOURCES AMENDMENT BILL, 2013

• The Bill was published on 25 April 2013 for comment. Following requests to extend the due date for comment, the due date was extended to 14 June 2013.

• The Department, after proper consideration of the comments and petitions received from various stakeholders, including industry, small-scale fishers and other interested parties, decided to narrow the focus of the Bill to only deal with amendments necessary to implement the Policy.

• To that end, the Bill proposes the following amendments:

• Amendment of section 1 of the MLRA to insert the definitions of “small-scale fisher”, “small-scale fishing community” and “small-scale fishing community area” as set out in the Policy.

• These definitions are required to identify, verify and register small-scale fishers and small-scale fishing communities.

• Amendment of section 1 of the MLRA to add to the definition of “South African person” a co-operative registered in terms of the Co-operatives Act 14 of2005.

• This will enable small-scale fishers to access the benefits and support of the DTI to co-operatives.

CONFIDENTIAL

 

 

3

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE MARINE LIVING RESOURCES AMENDMENT BILL, 2013

• All references to the word “subsistence” in the MLRA will be deleted and replaced with the word “small-scale”.

• This will entrench small-scale fisheries in the fisheries management systems.• Three new principles and objectives that will guide the interpretation, administration and

implementation of the Policy will be added to the current principles and objectives of the MLRA.

• The new principles and objectives will ensure that decision makers must have due regard to the need to promote marginalized groups such as women and youth.

• It also highlights the importance of food security, socio-economic development and the alleviation of poverty. It further recognizes the allocation of a basket of species as opposed to single species allocations.

• The Bill proposes a new section 19 to replace the current section 19 of the MLRA. This section deals with the management of the small-scale fisheries sector.

 

CONFIDENTIAL

4

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE MARINE LIVING RESOURCES AMENDMENT BILL, 2013

• Section 19 also determines that processes and procedures relating to the allocation and management of small-scale fishing rights, the criteria for recognition of small-scale fishers and communities and any other administrative or procedural matter that may be necessary must be set out in regulations.

• It determines the establishment of fishing areas or zones for small-scale fishers, the recognition of small-scale fishing communities and the possible prohibition of other fishing or related activity which may impact negatively on small-scale fishing.

 

5CONFIDENTIAL

ECONOMIC IMPACT OF SMALL SCALE FISHERIES IMPLEMENTATION

Region No of Communities No of Fishers Target Resources

KZN 19 1359 Linefish, Brown Mussels, Oysters

E. Cape 82 4474 Linefish, Brown Mussels, Oysters, ECRL

W. Cape/N. Cape (81) 36 1500 Linefish, WCRL, White Mussels

TOTAL 137 7333

RSA RECREATIONAL FISHING PERMITS – 36 000

Provisional Projection: 8000 new jobs: 160 communities :R10-20k pp (target R72k): about R576m based on a R100m investment p.a

6CONFIDENTIAL

FISHING RIGHTS ALLOCATION PROCESS (FRAP) 2013:ROAD MAP

ROAD MAP AND APPLICATION AND ADMINISTRATION PROCESS

MILSTONES DATES

Review general and sector policies: public consultation 10 – 27 May 2013

Comment due date (extended) 14 June 2013

Gazette Final General Policy & Sector-Specific Policies 28 June 2013

Appointment of service providers 1 July 2013

Application forms simplified (28-35 to 5 pages) 1 July 2013

Agreement on level of application fee if any (CFO and Treasury): possible exemption for small -scale fisheries applicants: Approved No Fee 14 June 2013

Call for applications 22July-6 September July 2013

MLRA Amendments approved 30 October 2013

Closing date for applications 16-28 September 2013

Verification and assessment proceed from 1 October - 30 November 2013

7

CONFIDENTIAL

Thank you

8

QUESTIONS?