South Africa’s Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Dion George, has announced a 36% increase in the allocation of key fish species, marking a significant step toward empowering small-scale fishers, in a move aimed at strengthening local economies and driving sustainable growth in fishing communities.
It’s a bold move, which the government states underscores its commitment to supporting small-scale fisheries, providing them with greater access to marine resources that will enable business growth and create jobs at harbours across the country.
‘This 36% increase in fish allocations for own use is about improving livelihoods, empowering fishing communities, and stimulating economic activity in our coastal regions. By supporting small-scale fishers, we’re ensuring that they become central players in driving local development and sustainability,’ Dion George said, and the Ministry states that these increased allocations form part of a broader strategy to promote inclusive economic growth and job creation while preserving South Africa’s rich marine biodiversity.
‘The department is working to reinvigorate coastal harbours as hubs of economic activity and want to help uplift small-scale fishers so that they can fully capitalise on these expanded opportunities,’ the Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment states.
‘This initiative reaffirms the government’s dedication to addressing socio-economic obstacles in coastal areas while ensuring the sustainable use of marine resources for future generations.’
