The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, Ms. Barbara Creecy, has announced the finalization of appeal decisions related to the Squid Sector as part of the Fishing Right Allocation Process 2020/2021 (FRAP 2021). The Squid Sector had its appeal decisions finalized on the 12th of June 2023. The General Published Reasons for the Appeal Decisions in the Squid Sector: 2021/2022 will be available soon on the Department’s website.
Minister Creecy’s Satisfaction with the Outcome
Minister Creecy expressed her satisfaction with the outcome of the appeal process and emphasized the importance of fully considering and exploring all issues to achieve the correct result for this sector. She acknowledged the need to transform the commercial sector and admit new entrants while applying the sector-specific policy to achieve a fair and equitable result. Creecy was confident that the appeal process in the Squid Sector was fair, reasonable, and rational.
Timely Finalization of Appeals
Successful right holders can begin harvesting squid on the 1st of July 2023, thanks to the timely finalization of the appeals. The Appeals Directorate is also working to ensure that the fourth phase of the appeal process, which deals with the Hake Deep Sea Trawl and Hake Longline sectors, will be finalized by the 31st of August 2023.
Commitment to Transparency
The Department remains committed to completing each phase of the appeal process within the proposed timeframes and will continue to update the progress of each phase on its website. This commitment showcases the Department’s dedication to transparency and providing up-to-date information for stakeholders.
Other Sectors and Services
In addition to the appeal process, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment is involved in various other sectors and services. These include services for residents, organizations, and foreign nationals, such as registering businesses or organizations, providing tax and intellectual property information, and issuing permits, licenses, and rights for communication and transportation.
The Department also deals with aspects of temporary and permanent residence for foreign nationals and provides services related to driving. With a range of documents, including tenders, acts, bills, notices, white and green papers, annual reports, and other documents, the Department strives to maintain a comprehensive and transparent information platform for all stakeholders.
A Milestone in the Management of Natural Resources
As South Africa moves forward in its management of natural resources, the finalization of the FRAP 2021/2022 appeals process marks a significant milestone. The Department’s dedication to maintaining an open and equitable system for the allocation of fishing rights showcases its commitment to sustainability, economic growth, and transformation within the commercial and environmental sectors. With ongoing updates and continuous progress, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment strives to ensure a bright future for South Africa’s natural assets and its people.
