NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION 1032
Question 1032 for Written Reply, National Assembly: Mr N D du Toit (DA) to
ask the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:
DATE OF PUBLICATION: TUESDAY 30 MARCH 2010 [IQP No 9- 2010] SECOND SESSION,
FOURTH PARLIAMENT
1032. Mr N D du Toit (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and
Fisheries:
(1) When will (a) the Abalone Fishery Management Plan be completed,
(b) an announcement be made about the re-opening of the abalone
fishery and (c) it be opened;
(2) whether the re-opening of the legal fishery will be accompanied
by any associated measures to curb the poaching of the resource;
if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) whether she will lift the ban on recreational diving that was
instituted to curb the illegal harvesting of abalone; if not,
why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1178E
REPLY:
(1)(a) The Minister intends to establish an Abalone Recovery
Development Council whose responsibilities will include the
development of a comprehensive Abalone Management Strategy. This plan
will be finalised following the completion of consultations with all
relevant stakeholders.
(1)(b) The decision on whether to re-open of the wild abalone
commercial fishery will be made by Cabinet during its June 2010
sitting. An announcement will follow the Cabinet meeting.
(1)(c) The conditional re-opening of the wild commercial abalone
fishery is a decision that will be made by Cabinet. Should Cabinet
support the proposed conditional re-opening of the wild abalone
commercial fishery in its June 2010 meeting, the fishery could be re-
opened soonest thereafter.
(2) Yes. The successful re-opening of the wild abalone fishery is
dependent upon a 15% reduction of current poaching estimates per year
over the next three years. To this end the Department has developed a
comprehensive monitoring, control and surveillance strategy in
partnership with other enforcement agencies. This monitoring, control
and surveillance strategy will form part of a broader Abalone Recovery
and Monitoring Strategy.
(3) No. The current dive ban on recreational fishing will remain in
place until further notice.