Issued by: The Ministry of Environmental Affairs & Tourism
11 October 1996
On 8 October 1996, the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Dr Z Pallo Jordan, acting on the advice of Sea Fisheries that this resource needs to be carefully managed to avoid the dangers of over-fishing, decided that five South African companies be issued experimental licences to harvest the Patagonian Toothfish resource in the South African EEZ around Prince Edward and Marion Islands.
It was the Minister's view that it would be of benefit for South African vessels to become involved in the experimental exploitation of this resource as soon as possible in view of reports indicating that a host of foreign registered vessels are already fishing illegally both inside and outside the South African EEZ and surrounding waters under the jurisdiction of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR).
In selecting the participants, the Minister took into account the need for balance between existing capacity in the fishing industry and to make the industry more representative.
The following companies were selected:
The Minister expressed the confidence that all licensees would acquit themselves well and give a good account of South Africa's capacity and potential.
ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS & TOURISM
For further information please contact: Cassandra Gabriel, Public Relations Officer Ministry of Environmental Affairs & Tourism Cell - 082 573 4168, Ph: (021) 457 240, Fax: (021) 453 216