Marine Fisheries Policy for South Africa

Abstract

"It is the objective of the marine fisheries policy to improve the overall contribution from the fishing industry to this long-term vision. Since fisheries is a relatively small sector within the national economy, its contribution will remain modest when measured in terms of macroeconomic significance. Expansion of the sector's total activity is limited by the natural productive capacity of the living marine resources from which the activities derive, and the necessity to limit and control the total harvesting pressure according to what the resources can sustain on a long-term basis. In spite of these constraints, the fisheries sector is of great importance to the economy in several coastal regions, and for the livelihood of many communities. This perspective permeates all proposals put forward in this White Paper. The fisheries policy is founded on the belief that all natural marine living resources of South Africa, as well as the environment in which they exist and in which mariculture activities may occur, are a national asset and the heritage of all its people, and should be managed and developed for the benefit of present and future generations in the country as a whole.

"This document sets out the main policy principles that the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism of the Government of South Africa will endeavor to implement through its marine fisheries management institutions in order to achieve this overall policy objective."