13 November 2020

The Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Ms Barbara Creecy will present South Africa’s National Plan of Action for the conservation and management of Sharks (NPOA –Sharks) on 17 November 2020 at the Two Oceans Aquarium, Cape Town.

The NPOA-Sharks was compiled by an expert panel which was appointed by Minister Barbara Creecy in May 2020.

The NPOA-Sharks panel has, amongst other things, noted with concern the disappearance of the white sharks from eco-tourism hotspots, but concluded that these were more likely a shift in distribution from West to East as a result of recent Orca occurrence and predation, rather than being related to the fishing activity of the demersal shark longline fishery.

The panel also reviewed all 62 actions of the current NPOA-Sharks in terms of their feasibility and their implementation status. The systematic review focussed on alignment with the International Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks (IPOA-Sharks) of the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), recommendations on the overall structure, completeness of the plan and identification of gaps, achievability of the plan, clarity, and areas of general progress or lack of progress. The Panel provided detailed recommendations on how to improve the plan and ensure the sustainable management

The presentation of the NPOA-Sharks will form part of World Fisheries Day celebrations, which is celebrated every year on 21 November throughout the world by fishing communities. The day helps to highlight the critical importance of fish and the lives they sustain, both in and out of water.

Members of the media are invited to attend as below, and will be afforded opportunities for photographs and interviews.

Date: Tuesday, 17 November 2020
Venue: The Avenue, Two Oceans Aquarium, Dock Road, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
Time: 10:00

To RSVP, contact:

Gaopalelwe Moroane
Cell: 082 512 1094
E-mail: gmoroane@environment.gov.za / or

Merle Van Diemel
Cell: 083 301 9400
Email: merlevd@daff.gov.za

Members of the media may also join the presentation via the virtual link provided below:

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rH-uxVigRYS0kjkKzAG2Sw

For media queries contact:

Albi Modise
Cell: 083 490 2871