DA submits PAIA application regarding fishing rights allocation process

17 October 2023

The DA has today submitted a Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) application for all relevant documentation relating to the controversial and long-outstanding Fishing Rights Allocation Process (FRAP).

As a result of the FRAP process, many fisherfolk in traditional communities have had their applications rejected. Many of these fisherfolk come from established fishing families and have been fishing along the coast for generations. Some of these unsuccessful applicants have subsequently had to close their businesses and retrench staff.

The results of the FRAP process have led to a long and protracted appeals process which has now been ongoing for almost a year. It is therefore essential that all deliberations relating to the FRAP process are made open and transparent. This includes the scoring sheets for all successful applicants and the minutes of all discussions and deliberations of meetings where these fishing rights were awarded. Having access to this information will provide certainty that no applicants have been given special preference over others.

The DA believes that the centralised system of awarding fishing rights being used by the ANC government is at the heart of the long standing delays and the overall lack of transparency. We should instead empower competent local and provincial governments to assist with this process. Therefore, the devolution of the awarding of fishing rights will be considered going forward with the implementation of the Western Cape Provincial Powers Bill currently being processed by DA members of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament.

The Western Cape coast contains the bulk of fishing stocks but a lack of access to fishing rights has led to some members of these coastal communities resorting to illegal fishing to sustain themselves. This has further increased the levels of drugs and gangsterism in the communities.

The DA will continue to fight for our traditional fisherfolk who form the backbone of so many of our coastal communities.

Issued by Dave Bryant, DA Shadow Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, 17 October 2023