0.5% of South Africa’s GDP comes from commercial fisheries, and it provides employment for approximately 43 458 people, including seasonal and permanent employment. The annual catch (previous Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Environmental Affairs-DAFF, 2012) is about 600 000 tonnes and worth R5.8 billion.
Prior to 1994 the South African fishing industry was predominantly run by white-owned companies. However, since then legislation and policies have been aimed at transforming commercial fishing to ensure equitable access to fishing rights for previously disadvantaged communities. In the past, fisheries were managed on the basis of a single species approach, which only considered the species being harvested, and with no consideration the effect on other organisms (e.g bycatch). Now, under the Marine Living Resources Act, a more holistic ecosystem strategy is used and more sustainable fishing practices are being employed, taking all marine organisms and processes into consideration.
The Fisheries division of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) is the relevant authority for recreational and commercial fishing activities along the coast.
