The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) announced last month that, after an intensive process of redrafting, the Small-Scale Fishing Regulations have been approved by the Minister.

The Small-Scale Fishing Regulations will be published once President Jacob Zuma has promulgated the Amended Marine Living Resources Act. These steps are “essential to provide a sound legal framework to move the small-scale fisheries sector towards full implementation”, according to the DAFF.

More than 270 communities have registered expressions of interest (EOIs) with the DAFF, representing about 20 000 fishers in South Africa. Registering an EOI keeps the DAFF informed about small-scale fishers in the community and registers their intresest in being part of the process.

The DAFF is in the process of confirming registration of EOIs with the relevant community members through text messages and other communication platforms and to forward useful information related to the small-scale fishers about the pending verification regarding the drafting process.

This vital communication medium is a first for the fisheries branch of the DAFF, which is envisages making huge inroads in the improvement of disseminating useful information to fishers.

A number of developments in the small-scale fisheries sector have taken place, including an in-depth environmental scan that was recently completed by the DAFF. Local municipalities and traditional leaders have been briefed about the pending implementation of the small-scale fisheries policy and the verification process.

Further, an appointment meeting was held with representatives from the small-scale, recreational and commercial sectors. The DAFF used this opportunity to share the envisaged path for allocation of marine resources to those sectors.

A guidebook has also been developed to assist stakeholders in demystifying participation in the small-scale fisheries sector. The publication was officially launched at the end of last month.

A successful media briefing was held in January with positive coverage that contextualised small-scale fishing and the processes involved leading to implementation.