All fisheries in South Africa are managed by the Fisheries Branch of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF) in terms of the Marine Living Resources Act (MLRA), No. 18 of 1998. The squid sector is one of 14 commercial sectors managed in terms of the Act.
GOALS OF THE ACT
Section 2 of the Act
FISHERIES MANAGEMENT
The Fisheries Management Department of DEFF deals with the administrative regulation of the sector, which includes setting permit conditions, issuing of permits, compliance monitoring and general administration of the sector. The current head of the squid department of Fisheries Management is Mr Dennis Fredericks.
SCIENTIFIC RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
The Resource Management Department of DEFF deals with the science behind the species and functions through a Scientific Working Group (SWG) which is currently chaired by Dr Jean Githaiga-Mcwigi. This working group monitors and analyses catch data and performance and the effort expended n the fishery and determines a Total Allowable Effort available to the sector each year.
SASMIA representatives attend the SWG meetings as observers and the industry has for many years worked together with DEFF to develop the scientific models and advance research in the sector and to ensure the sustainability of the resource.
OTHER REGULATORY BODIES / LINKS / USEFUL INFORMATION?
The sector is also affected by other acts and regulatory bodies which include:
ACTS
MERCHANT SHIPPING ACT
Regulation of crew conditions and health and safety at sea.
LABOUR RELATIONS ACT
Governing labour relations in general.
Sets the framework in terms of which the Statutory Council is registered.
BASIC CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT ACT
Only applicable to fishing wrt the minimum wage regulations.
All other aspects governed by the Merchant Shipping Act.
NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY ACT
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: PROTECTED AREAS ACT OF 2003
Sets the overall framework for the declaration of protected areas.
There are over 20 Marine Protected Areas in SA.
GOVERNMENT / REGULATORY BODIES
SA REVENUES SERVICES
Taxation and Customs & Excise.
SA MARITIME SAFETY AUTHORITY
Regulation of fishing vessels.
Regulation of working conditions and safe manning requirements on vessels.
NATIONAL REGULATOR FOR COMPULSORY SPECIFICATIONS (NRCS)
Certification of factories and vessels in terms of HACCP protocols.
Testing and certification of fish for export.
Setting of health standards.
NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY ACT
Certification and monitoring of refrigerated containers used for exports.
INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL FISHERIES MANAGEMENT BODIES
MARINE STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL (MSC)
We have done a pre-assessment.
We are busy with.
SOUTH AFRICAN SSI
Jig-caught squid is on the SASSA green list.
WORLD WILDLIFE FUND (WWF)
We are busy with a Fisheries Improvement Project together with WWF.
RESEARCH RESOURCES / CEPHALOPOD PAGES
The Cephalopod Page.
In Search of Gaint Squid.
National Resource Center for Cephalopods.
CephBase – a database-driven website on all living cephalopods.
SASMIA Research Repository.
GENERAL FISHING INDUSTRY NEWS
Fishing News International.
Fish Information & Services.
Fishing Industry News (SA).
EQUIPMENT
Global Marine Systems – marine electronic equipment.
Simrad – marine electronics.
Radio Holland -SA- marine electronics.
WEATHER
Weather forecast – extended forecasts for South Africa.
Weather SA – a lot of information, including 7 day forecasts.