It was mentioned that there are number of key multi-lateral agreements between South Africa and other countries on the management and use of marine resources and one of those was the Convention for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna (CCSBT) that is currently before the Portfolio Committee for approval to accession. It was mentioned that if South Africa does not accede to the Convention by 31 March 2015, the country allocation for bluefin tuna will be cut by 135 tons. The Department also reported on harbor refurbishment, mentioning that funds from the Department of Public Works (DPW) will be used to refurbish infrastructure in the existing 12 proclaimed fishing harbours, which are all in the Western Cape, as the initial phase. The second phase will be the proclamation of new fishing harbours on existing ports at Port St Johns, Port St Francis and Port Alfred in the Eastern Cape.