NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION 1036/ NW1189E
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES:
Ms Z Jongbloed (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and
Fisheries:
QUESTION
(1)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Is the confiscated abalone seized by the SA Police
Service or fishery control officers of his department sold by
auction; if not, which method is used to sell the abalone; if
so, why are the auctions not publicly accessible;
(2)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â which companies are currently appointed to (a) process
and (b) market the confiscated abalone;
(3)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â (a) what amount of abalone was sold during the 2013-14
financial year and (b) at what price according to (i) grade and
(ii) form;
(4)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â (a) how many sale auctions were held during the 2013-14
financial year and (b) who were the buyers in each instance;
(5)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â is any of the money generated from the sale of the
abalone ringfenced for abalone research, management and
compliance; if not (a) why not and (b) what happens to the money
generated; if so, what are the relevant details?            Â
NW1189E
REPLY
(1) Is the confiscated abalone seized by the SA Police Service or fishery
control officers of his department sold by auction; if not, which
method is used to sell the abalone; if so, why are the auctions not
publicly accessible;
Confiscated abalone is sold by way of auction in line with the
Departmental Policy on Handling of Confiscated Abalone. Only
companies issued with a relevant Fish Processing Permit (for handling
of abalone) from this Department are invited to bid at these auctions
However, other parties can attend.
(2) which companies are currently appointed to (a) process and (b) market
the confiscated abalone;
(a) Walker Bay Canners
(b) N/A. The selling is handled by the Department and not a service
provider.
(3) (a) what amount of abalone was sold during the 2013-14 financial year
and (b) at what price according to (i) grade and (ii) form;
(a) R5 683Â 940
(b) All abalone is sold in dry form. Prices vary across the grades
and are influenced by quality of the product, market trends, demand on
the international market etc. The average price per kilogram obtained
in 2013/14 was R718.81.
â
(4) (a) how many sale auctions were held during the 2013-14 financial
year and (b) who were the buyers in each instance;
(a) Five sales during 2013/14
(b) Buyers at auctions held during 2013/14:
Date Company Name
24 May 2013 Walker Bay Canners
6 September 2013 Walker Bay Canners
30 October 2013 SPP Canning
30 October 2013 Walker Bay Canners
24 March 2014 Combined Abalone Processors
(5) is any of the money generated from the sale of the abalone ring-
fenced for abalone research, agement and compliance; if not (a) why
not and (b) what happens to the money generated; if so, what are the
relevant details? NW1189E
(a) No
(b) The funds are deposited into the bank account of the Marine Living
Resource Fund and are utilised to cover the cost of confiscations,
which includes the cost of processing the confiscated product as well
as the independent monitoring company that monitors the processing
company. The funds are further utilised for both research and
compliance activities in the fight against poaching.