As we come to the close of the year and things start getting busy in the fishing industry with the opening of many different seasons, there’s a positive atmosphere prevailing, and that can only be a good thing. It’s not that there’s been a sudden turn-around in our dwindling fisheries resources, but while these seem to be holding their own under careful monitoring, the small-scale fishers have finally scored a triumph for which they have been waiting many months. The new recreational permits have been issued in terms of interim relief measures (read about this on page 13) as a result of the High Court ruling against the West Coast Rock Lobster Association, and the Equality Court has further ruled that a new policy must be ready for gazetting by Martin van Schalkwyk by the end of June 2009 which will have had input from the small-scale fishers and their spokesmen, and should therefore be agreeable to all concerned. It’s certainly well-timed, with potential income there for the catching at the start of the festive season.

More good news comes with the launching of the Marine Stewardship Council’s (MSC) Southern African office, headed up by Martin Purves, formerly of Capfish. Whilst currently only the Hake fishery is certified by the MSC, more and more consumers are demanding environmentally sustainable sources of fish, and there is a big market in Europe for our Hake, and Tuna, too, which fishery has just applied to the MSC for certification. Green is definitely the way forward! (Details on page 17.) And in an article on eco-labelling in fisheries, John Duncan outlines the pros and cons of applying for certification. (Page 14.)

The Cape Lobster Exporters Association (CLEA) held its annual marketing function at Jacobsbaai, attended by over 400 people. (See page 6) J G Fernandes, the chairman of CLEA, exhorted the right holders in attendance to catch live lobsters; the price is almost double, compared to that of the whole frozen product, and tails can’t be sold any more due to oversupply. So, if the lobster industry is to show good returns for its shareholders this year, the plan is to get on that boat, catch your allocation as quickly as possible and keep them alive for export overseas.

I&J has a new Human Resources Manager – and a new trawler. Read more about both of them on pages 11 and 19 respectively. And Oceana has released its financial results for the past year with CEO Andrew Marshall underlining some of the high points on page 10.

Save Our Seabirds week has just passed, and Birdlife South Africa’s Albatross Task Force were busy with giving talks and presentations to schoolchildren at the Two Oceans Aquarium. For many, it was the first time they had ever visited the Aquarium, and they were a most appreciative audience. (More on page 21.) And on that happy note it just remains for the management and staff of George Warman Publications to thank our readers for their support during the year and to wish all of you a peaceful and happy festive season, and may you have fair winds, calm seas and bountiful catches.

Editor
 

Cover Story

Cape Lobster Exporters Association operates on the belief that “unity is strength” and would like to thank its shareholders for continuing to prove the truth of this statement.
The 2007/2008 season realised 650 tons of lobster, netting shareholders R20 more per kilo than the previous season, some R170 per kilo, though this figure has yet to be finalised. The Association, together with the rights holders, are hoping that there will be no delay in issuing permits for the new season, and that market demand will prove to be strong in the coming year.