Abalone fishing rights exempted #southafrica

The Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry
is in extensive consultation with the abalone commercial
sector to work out a recovery plan that will benefit coastal
communities.
This comes after the department's Minister Senzeni
Zokwana was consulted on the expiration of long-term
rights in the abalone commercial sector. The long-term
rights in the sector expired on Wednesday.
Minister Zokwana considered options presented to him by
the sector and reached a twofold decision in light of
expiration of the rights.
Firstly, he exempted right holders who had abalone fishing
rights in the 2013/2014 fishing season to afford current
right holders an opportunity to catch their uncaught
2013/14 abalone allocation until 30 September.
Secondly, the Minister gives right holders exemptions until
July 2015.
Minister Zokwana said the decline in numbers in the
abalone fishery was worrying and it propelled the decision,
based on the consideration of the long term conservation of
the fishery.
"This downward trend suggests that the current stock levels
would likely only be able to sustain one abalone fishing
season," said Minister Zokwana.
He added that the extensive consultations with abalone
industry will also include a plan that will look at alternative
livelihoods for those involved in the sector.
"Our decision has taken into consideration socio-economic
factors that have contributed to hardships experienced in
coastal communities, and particularly in communities that
rely on abalone for their livelihood," Minister Zokwana said