Issued by: Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
24 February 1997
On 21 February 1997, it was reported on SABC Cape on 6 that the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Dr Z Pallo Jordan, will be allocating crayfish quotas to the informal fishermen on the West Coast. The report originated from SABC Radio which quoted an informal fishermen's representative, Mr Lenny Davids, as the source of the report.
Minister Z Pallo Jordan would like to set the record straight as this report was completely incorrect. In terms of the law as it stands the Minister does not have the power or the authority to allocate quotas, or single-handedly restructure the fishing industry. Fishing quotas can only be allocated by the quota Board.
There has been an ongoing consultative policy development process to draw up a new fishing policy, to address the problems in the fishing industry. All the stakeholders in the fishing industry have participated in this process, including the informal fishermen. The White Paper on a new fisheries policy will be released by Minister Jordan in March of this year. It is only new policy that can lead to the restructuring of the fishing industry and address the needs of the informal fishermen.
ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM
For more information please contact Cassandra Gabriel - Public Relations Officer, Ph: (021) 457 240 / 082 573 4168, Fax: (021) 453 216