Minister’s decisive action restoring hope to small-scale fishing communities

Statement by Andrew de Blocq MP – DA Spokesperson on Forestry Fisheries & the Environment:

The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the decisive intervention by the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Willie Aucamp, to uphold appeals by small-scale fishers and reinstate the 297 traditional linefish vessels that were previously excluded from the sector’s allocation.

This decision restores certainty for many coastal communities whose livelihoods depend on access to marine resources. After years of administrative dysfunction and broken promises, the ruling signals a shift toward a more responsive, consultative and fair approach to fisheries management under DA leadership in the Department.

As expressed by representatives of traditional fishing communities during the Minister’s briefing, the reinstatement of the 297 vessels will protect thousands of livelihoods and families dependent on fishing. For many coastal communities, fishing is not merely an economic activity but forms part of a deeply rooted intergenerational identity. By correcting this exclusion while maintaining ecological safeguards, Minister Aucamp has taken an important step toward stabilising the sector and restoring dignity to small-scale fishers.

Minister Aucamp also acted with exceptional urgency, finalising the appeals within approximately two weeks and ensuring that no fisher lost income during the process by allowing fishers to continue operating under exemption while the appeals were considered. This pragmatic approach protected livelihoods while upholding lawful decision-making.

The DA further welcomes the Minister’s finding that computational discrepancies affected the distribution of the West Coast Rock Lobster Total Allowable Catch (TAC) to small-scale cooperatives. His directive that the Department recalculate and correct these allocations ensures that administrative errors do not unfairly disadvantage fishing communities while the process is being finalised.

Taken together, these decisions demonstrate that a properly functioning appeals process can correct administrative failures before they inflict serious harm on vulnerable coastal livelihoods.

Minister Aucamp’s swift and decisive action will strengthen confidence in the Department and help rebuild trust between government and the fishing communities who rely on the sustainable use of South Africa’s marine resources for survival.

The DA entered the Government of National Unity to grow the economy, create jobs, and improve the lives of South Africans. Minister Aucamp’s actions restore hope to generational fishing communities and begin addressing the administrative failures that left many fishers in uncertainty for years.

With a clear pathway now in place to provide stability until the next fishing rights allocation process in 2029, the DA will continue to monitor implementation closely to ensure small-scale fishers receive the fairness, certainty and sustainability they deserve.