BEE fishing rights for new entrants put on ice
Commercial fishing companies granted allocation interdict
The allocation of new fishing rights that were skewed in favour of new black entrants has been placed on hold following a successful interdict by established commercial fisher Viking Fishing earlier this week. The allocation for inshore hake trawl fishing — one of the most sought-after quotas — was awarded on December 21, with 12 of the 27 rights given to new entrants. The rights are allocated for a period of 15 years. Established commercial fishing companies, such as Viking and I&J, stand to lose substantial volumes in the new allocation. Viking Fishing was granted the interdict by the High Court in Cape Town on Tuesday. The interim ruling means no one landing or discharging in Mossel Bay or Port Elizabeth may catch hake using small trawlers until February 6. The interdict stalls the new allocation, which would have come into full effect from January 1. The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has said it intends to challenge the ruling and will respond to it at a pres...
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