Daff’s quotas threaten fishing in W Cape

IT IS ironic Cape Argus published a special feature on World Fisheries Day (Cape Argus, November 21), with the headline “Call for collaboration to conserving ocean resources”, yet it has ignored the most important fishing story of the year.

The fact is that the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) has set the total allowable catch for west coast rock lobster at levels significantly higher than have been recommended by fishery scientists as ecologically and economically sustainable.

Instead of reducing the annual catch by a third – as recommended by its own scientific working group and in line with the department’s recovery plan – the DAFF has chosen to leave it unchanged for the upcoming fishing season.

This puts the fishery at risk of imminent collapse and puts coastal livelihoods at risk.

DAFF’s failure to follow scientific advice sets a dangerous precedent for the fishing industry.

The deep-sea trawl fishery, for example, depends on the certification of the Marine Stewardship Council – the most respected seafood certification in the world – to supply demanding international markets and sustain 7 050 good jobs in coastal areas.

Our fishery would lose this certification in a heartbeat if the DAFF were to turn its back on the scientific management of the hake resource.

Yes, collaboration is needed to conserve ocean resources, but the first step is for the DAFF to heed scientific advice.

The next step is to work more closely with the fishing industry to find a solution to the growing crisis in the management of inshore resources. JOHANN AUGUSTYN Secretary: South African Deep Sea Trawling Industry Association