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As we approach the possible commencement of the 2015/2016 fishing rights allocation process, Feike has been approached by a number of current right holders and potential new entrant applicants / investors wanting advice on preparatory steps that they should take in anticipation of the next fishing rights allocation process. We have also been made aware of a number of "consultants" emerging to provide advice on completion of future application forms. The rate at which these "consultants" will emerge will surely gather momentum once greater clarity and certainty is available regarding the 2015/2016 rights allocation process. As has been the case with past fishing rights allocation processes, Feike does not assist with the completion of forms and neither do we advise individual applicants on preparatory steps and measures. In deserving cases, we may provide legal and fisheries advice on a pro bono basis. Accordingly, we can dispense the following advice without b...

The Acting DDG of the Fisheries Branch, Ms Siphokazi Ndudane, has extended the 2014/2015 abalone season to the end of September 2015. The decision to extend the season, which normally ends at the end of July each year, was in response to a request by two current abalone divers, Messrs Michael Wurbach and Scott Russell. The decision to extend the abalone season was justified because of the delayed commencement of the 2014/2015 abalone season and fewer than normal fishing days during the season because of bad weather. The extension however only applies to those abalone divers who had not harvested their own individual fishing quotas by 30 July 2015. The current abalone transport and fishing permit conditions will continue to apply.

This is the official press statement issued by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries on 18 August 2015. The purpose of this media statement issued by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Mr Senzeni Zokwana, is to inform the South African public and the fishing industry in particular of the Minister’s decisions on appeals filed against decisions taken on 30 December 2013 in the KwaZulu-Natal Prawn Trawl fishery. The Minister will over the coming 8 weeks be issuing his decisions on appeals in the remaining 7 fishing sectors that were decided under the 2013 Fishing Rights Allocation Process (FRAP 2013). True to the Minister’s commitment to redress the various concerns and problems that had plagued the FRAP 2013, the Minister has appointed three non-departmental officials to an Appeals Advisory Team to advise him on the FRAP 2013 appeals. These individuals include Advocate Shaheen Moolla; Professor Julian Smith and Attorney Mamakhe Mdhluli. On Tuesday 11...