Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson of the Department of Agriculture,  Forestry and Fisheries published the 2013 General Policy on the Allocation and Management of Fishing Rights and the 2013 Fishery Specific Policies for Demersal Shark, Hake Handline, Kwazulu-Natal Prawn Trawl, Oyster, Squid, Traditional Linefish, Tuna Pole-Line and White Mussel for general information.

The General and Fishery specific policies are informed by government's key policies, namely the National Development Plan, the Integrated Growth and Development Plan (IGDP) for agriculture, forestry and fisheries, the New Growth Path (NGP), the Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP) and the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme (CRDP).

She also invited interested persons to apply for rights to undertake commercial fishing in terms of the Marine Living Resource Act, 1998 (Act No. 18 of 1998) in the above-mentioned 8 sectors.

The General and Fishery specific policies, application forms as  well  as explanatory notes have been published in the Government Gazette Number 36675 dated 17 July 2013 (General Notices No. 750 and No. 751).

The distribution process is scheduled to commence on Monday, 22 July 2013 at 08h00 and will close on Monday, 16 August 2013 at 16h00 in our area at the Fishery Compliance Office, 248 Still Street, Hermanus. Dates and times for distribution: Monday, 22 July 2013 to Friday, 16 August 2013 from 08:00 to 16:00, including Saturday, 27 July 2013 and Saturday, 3 August 2013 from 08:00 to 12:00 on both days, but excluding Friday, 9 August 2013 (public holiday).

Applicants must have their identity document and a copy of the first page of their identity document when collecting an application form. If the application form is collected by someone else on behalf of an applicant, the collector must present a signed authorization letter and a copy of the collectors’ and applicant’s identity or registration documents.  Applicants will be required to provide their full contact details.

Dates for the receipting process will be announced soon. Attached is the Government Gazette Number 36675 dated 17 July 2013 (Notice 750 and Notice 751).

For all FRAP enquiries, the Helpline number is 021 402 3576.