25 May 2021

On 20 May 2021, the department published a request, reaching out to external stakeholders in the fishing industry, as well as to interested and affected stakeholders soliciting inputs or comments on the Draft Phase 1 documents as part of the review of the General Policy on Allocation and Management of Fishing Rights: 2013, the Policy for the Transfer of Commercial Fishing Rights and the fishery specific policies for fisheries sectors that are due for re-allocation in 2021. The original due date for the initial submission of inputs was on Thursday, 27 May 2021 at 16h00.

Representatives of various fishing industry associations have approached the department requesting extension to comment to allow for more consultation time with their members. The department has considered the request and hereby agrees to extend the comment period by an additional two (2) weeks. Submission of written comments should be received by the department on or before 16h00, Friday, 11 June 2021 and submitted via email to: FRAPSEIAS_2020@environment.gov.za

All the draft SEIAS phase 1 documents of the General Policy on Allocation and Management of Fishing Rights: 2013, the Policy for the Transfer of Commercial Fishing Rights and the fishery specific policies copies are also available at the Compliance Coastal Offices of the Fisheries Management Branch of the department.

Further consultation on policy imperatives will be communicated to stakeholders at a later stage.

For media enquiries please contact:

Zolile Nqayi
Tel: 082 898 6483
E-mail: znqayi@environment.gov.za