NATIONALÂ COUNCIL OF PROVINCES
WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTIONÂ 335
Question 335 for written reply: National Council of Provinces, Mr W F Faber
(DA-NC) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:
What are the relevant details of the process that has been followed to
organise the allocation of experimental abalone permits in the Eastern Cape
and (b) what is the breakdown of financial implications to her department
in this regard? CW437E
REPLY:
(a) In 2010, as part of the reopening of the commercial abalone fishery in
the Western Cape, the abalone plan included the roll-out of abalone
experimental allocation in the Eastern Cape. The specific key questions
that the experiment is supposed to address are:
⢠What is the current spatial distribution of abalone in the EC?
⢠What is the age and size composition of the stock?
⢠What is the relative abundance of the resource?
⢠What is the size structure of the resource?
⢠Is there sufficient abalone in the EC to sustain a viable
commercial or small-scale fishery?
A recommendation with scientific advice was submitted to the Minister of
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries for approval including but not limited
to annual catch limit, identified areas and harvesting periods. The current
allocation together with permit conditions will be subject to amendment
following annual reviews by the Abalone Scientific Working Group.
(b)There are no direct financial implications to the Department outside of
the normal research and compliance operations.