Cape Town – Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Willie Aucamp has upheld the appeals submitted by small-scale fishing cooperatives in the Traditional Linefish and West Coast Rock Lobster sectors for the 2026/2027 season.
Minister Aucamp made the announcement during a media briefing on Friday, 6 March 2026.
Some small-scale fishers and associates were in attendance.
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment stated that this decision restores confidence in the appeals process and marks an important step toward strengthening the relationship between small-scale fishing communities and the government.
“I must emphasise that the issuing of these decisions in such a short timeframe is exceptional in nature, but was not taken lightly,” Minister Aucam said.
“I considered all the facts that I had before me and needed to ensure that each appeal is processed thoroughly, lawfully, and in a manner that reflects the department’s commitment to fairness, accountability, and the sustainable use of South Africa’s marine resources.”
For about 16 years, small-scale fishers in the Traditional Linefish sector were able to fish using these 297 vessels as part of the Interim Relief system.
When the department undertook the process of formalising the Interim Relief vessels into the Total Allowable Effort (TAE), via the allocation of small-scale fishing rights, these 297 standard vessels continued to be allocated to the small-scale cooperatives.
“However, for the 2026/2027 fishing season, these vessels were not accommodated, leaving many small-scale fishing cooperatives with far fewer vessels to operate with,” explained the department.
“After reviewing the relevant legislation, the scientific basis for TAE controls, and the historical reliance of small-scale communities on the Traditional Linefish vessels, the Minister has reinstated all 297 standard vessels into the TAE allocation for small-scale fishers for the 2026/2027 season.”
In the interim, the Delegated Authority has issued exemptions to allow the small-scale fishers to continue operating while they are given enough opportunity to apply for their new 2026/2027 permits.
The Minister also announced his decision on the West Coast Rock Lobster appeals.
These appeals came after some fishing cooperatives received smaller allocations than they had in previous years, despite the overall quota of West Coast Rock Lobster increasing after the distribution of the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for the 2025/2026 season.
In this instance, the Minister has upheld the appeals regarding the discrepancies in the distribution of the TAC.
Furthermore, the Minister has requested the Delegated Authority to re-do the calculations for the individual cooperatives, and this will be done by Tuesday and will not compromise the fishing ability of the fishers.
The season has also been extended by one month (from four months to five months).
Joining Minister Aucamp during the media briefing, Hilda Adams of Mamre Fishing Primary Cooperatives and Chairperson of the West Coast Fishers Forum, thanked Minister Aucamp and expressed appreciation for the manner in which the matter was handled.
“We are very happy with the timelines for the outcomes of these appeals,” said Adams.
“We are also looking forward to further stakeholder engagements on all matters affecting our livelihoods and socio-economic circumstances, as well as our custodianship, especially as someone who was born into a fisher family.”
Faez Poggenpoel, fifth-generation fisher under the Kalk Bay Primary Cooperative, also joined the media briefing.
“This kind of decision is unprecedented; we’ve never seen this type of movement,” he said.
“To protect our livelihood, to protect our cultural identity and to ensure that not only 297 vessels can fish, but if you multiply that by 10 crew, that’s over 15 000 direct dependents that would have been affected by this.”
Minister Aucamp also announced a series of follow-up engagements with small-scale fishers starting from 01 April 2026.
He invited all small-scale fishers to attend these engagements based on the specific issues affecting them, promising frank but structured, constructive discussions.
Minister Aucamp concluded by emphasising the need for these decisions to balance the need for equitable access, historical redress, and community wellbeing with the department’s responsibility to ensure the long-term sustainability of South Africa’s marine resources.
The department stated that it will continue working closely with fishing communities to ensure fair implementation and stability over the coming season.
