"Effective communications, trust and common purpose between industry and government become vital in ensuring the sustainable utilisation of marine living and coastal resources."

These were the words of Marthinus van Schalkwyk, Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism in his opening address to stakeholders in the fishing industry with whom he met recently. Turn to page 4 for more on this "closed" (to the press) meeting. The fishing industry is supportive of MCM's efforts to install effective systems in the form of an Enterprise Resource Planning System and a Marine Administrative System.

However, some sectors took umbrage to being threatened with section 28 proceedings if they did not provide the "audited" historical catch information (April 2001 to March 2006) from right holders for the MLRF. They say rightly that this information was given to MCM at the time of the relevant landings and payments. It was also understood that they were not required to keep the information indefinitely or to maintain source documentation like catch certificates and payment confirmation documents. Read Noel Petersen's response to this matter in our Business report on page 14. West Coast rock lobster right holders, upset by the delays in the allocation of long term fishing rights and the appeal process, were relieved to hear that the Minister had sanctioned the roll-over of uncaught lobster (400 tons) to the 2006/7 season. This was the remainder of the allowance catch for the 2005/6 season in which 2854 tons of rock lobster was allocated. The Minister also allocated a further 50 rights bringing the total to 254 right holders using trap boats. There are also 812 right holders in the small scale sector. See page7 for the full story.

The Day of the Fisherman came on 15 November when fishing communities on the South Africa's west and south east coast marched peacefully to their local sea fisheries compliance offices to deliver memoranda, the content of which was specific to the area profile and carried grievances of these communities. The marches organised by the South African United Fishing Front, a new organisation, was to highly the plight of ordinary fishers now forced into abject poverty because they can no longer fish. At the same time a letter was sent to Thabo Mbeki, President of South Africa asking for a fair assessment of the current situation and intervention where necessary. They are now waiting for a response from MCM as well as for the outcome of the draft subsistence policy which is currently in the public domain for comment until 18 December.

By way of a report back to readers, the article on the large pelagics fishery in the last issue of this journal elicited some interesting telephonic responses. Invitations to rebut the statements made based on research for John Futter's thesis (for which he achieved a 70% mark), have sadly come to nought though. Pity, another opportunity to stimulate debate has gone by.

In conclusion, this is our last issue for the year and we take this opportunity to wish our readers and advertisers a merry festive season and a prosperous New Year.

Editor.

Cover Story

It's time to build for the long term but you need to fish responsibly, was the message delivered to West Coast Rock Lobster right holders at the annual general meeting of the Cape Lobster Exporters Association held at Live Fish Tanks, Jacobsbaai.

Right holders were urged to look at the bigger picture with a view to a national consolidation of the industry to maximise returns, and to rebuild relationships with MCM management and the new inshore resources staff.

They were also encouraged to handle the lobster correctly to minimise the mortality rate. A total of 530 tonnes of lobster were received at the Live Fish Tanks holding facility during the 2006/7 season.