Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment announces the results of the 2021/2022 fishing rights allocation process

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment has concluded the 2021/22 Fishing Rights Allocation Process (FRAP) in the nine (9) commercial fishing sectors that were due for re-allocation.

 

The General Publish Reasons (GPRs) on the allocations will be published on the Department’s website (www.dffe.gov.za) today, 28 February 2022.

 

A total of 2 473 applications were received and adjudicated in the following sectors:

 

Hake Deep-Sea Trawl;

Hake Longline;

South Coast Rock Lobster;

Small Pelagic (Sardine and Anchovy);

Kwa-Zulu Natal Crustacean Trawl;

Demersal Shark Longline;

Squid;

Tuna Pole-Line and;

Traditional Linefish

 

In assessing and allocating the commercial fishing rights, the Department evaluated and assessed all applications received. Besides the personal information of each application, the documents assessed also contained information related to their current and previous involvement in the fishing sector, investment in the fishing sector, performance and compliance history, their transformation profile, and their contribution to the fishery. This information, amongst others, was used in determining who would be granted a commercial fishing right.

 

Notwithstanding the technical glitches experienced with the Online Application System that necessitated two extension periods to afford the Applicants additional opportunity to provide all relevant information, the FRAP2021 Application Process has been deemed to be substantially free, fair, and transparent by the independent process observer.

 

As at end of today, 28 February 2022, all applicants and interested parties will be able to download the General Published Reasons (GPR) of the Delegated Authorities for each of the 9 fishing sectors by accessing the FRAP folder on the Department’s website.

 

The GPRs provide an explanation of how the scores were calculated for every fishing sector, per section and question, how the quantum and/or effort methodology was developed and applied, and the final decisions list on the successful, unsuccessful, excluded and/or reserved applicants; the final scores as well as the quantum and/or effort allocations per right holder.

 

Grant of Right Letters and Scoresheets will be sent electronically to applicants to their registered emails and can also be downloaded from the FRAP2021 Website (https://www.frap2021.co.za/(link is external)).  On receipt of the Grant of Right Letter and Scoresheets which will be issued by 29 March 2022, applicants and interested parties have 30 days to lodge appeals in writing to the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment. The appeals should be lodged electronically online on the prescribed Appeals Form through the FRAP 2021 website, on or before the closing date of 29 April 2022.

 

It should be noted that the exemptions were granted to existing operators in the fishing sectors that were due for re-allocation, and those currently fishing under the exemption are required to cease operations within 72 hours (by Thursday, 03 March 2022, 23h59) and return to port where their catch will be weighed and landed in accordance with the relevant sector-specific permit conditions.  All levies would also have to be paid within the required timeframes.   Failure to comply would result in legal action.

 

The successful 2021 FRAP right holders are required to commence with the process of applying for their new Catch Permits and ensure that all the Grant of Right Fees is paid on or before 60 days from the date of receipt of their right.

 

NOTE TO EDITORS

 

The transformation of the South African fishing industry is a constitutional and legislative imperative. The legal instrument that promotes the transformation of the South African fishing industry is the Marine Living Resources Act, (MLRA). The transformation of the fishing industry is achieved through the Fishing Rights Allocation Process (FRAP) and the management of commercial fishing rights.

 

In 2005/2006, long-term commercial fishing rights were allocated in terms of the MLRA in 22 commercial fisheries sectors for periods ranging from 8, 10 and 15 years. Rights that were allocated for 8 years expired in 8 of the fishing sectors on 31 of December 2013. On 30 December 2013, the Department re-allocated long-term commercial fishing rights in all eight fishing sectors in which rights were expiring and these fishing rights were allocated for a new period of 8 years and were to expire on or before the 31 of December 2020. Rights that were allocated for a period of 10 years expired in 10 of the fishing sectors at various times during 2015. The Department finalised the allocation of fishing rights in 9 out of the 10 commercial sectors where rights expired at various times during 2015 (excluding abalone, which was not finalised).  These rights were allocated for a period of 15 years and will therefore not form part of the 2020 allocation process. Recently, commercial rights have also expired on the 31 of December 2020 in 4 sectors allocated in 2005 for 15-years and those allocated in 2013 for a 7-year period.

 

In light of the above, twelve (12) sectors are due for allocation in terms of section 18(6) of the MLRA in 2021 and these sectors are:

 

1. KZN Prawn Trawl

 

2. Demersal Shark

 

3. Tuna-Pole Line

 

4. Hake Handline

 

5. Traditional Linefish

 

6. White Mussels

 

7. Oysters

 

8. Squid

 

9. Small Pelagics (Pilchard and Anchovy)

 

10. Hake Deepsea Trawl

 

11. Hake Longline

 

12. South Coast Rock Lobster

 

Three (3) of the 12 sectors listed, are identified to be eligible as small-scale species and consultation is underway to declassify them. The Department will also be finalising the allocations of rights in the Abalone sector which could not be concluded in 2015.

 

 

Source: Government of South Africa