The South African Deep-Sea Trawling Industry Association (SADSTIA) has teamed up with World Wide Fund South Africa (WWF-SA) to improve the management of at least 12 non-target fish species (kingklip (Genypterus capensis), monkfish (Lophius vomerinus), angelfish (Brama brama), Cape dory (Zeus capensis), gurnard (Chelidonichthys capensis), horse mackerel (Trachurus capensis), jacopever (Helicolenus dactylopterus), octopus (Octopus vulgaris), panga (Pterogymnus laniarus), ribbonfish (Lepidopus caudatus), snoek (Thyrsites atun) and skates (species to be determined) that are caught alongside hake in the offshore demersal trawl fishery.
Since the bycatch is considered to be a valuable part of the deep-sea trawl catch and a number of bycatch species are important for food security, the Offshore trawl bycatch Fishery Conservation Project (FCP) aims to fundamentally improve the sustainable management of the deep-sea trawl fishery as a whole in consideration with the sustainability status of bycatch species, as this collaboration is intended to also make a contribution to SASSI listings as certain species are anticipated to move off the Red-list (Vulnerable/Danger) or Orange-list (Cautious) towards the Green-listing of the WWF-Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative in a timeline of three years ( April 2016 - April 2019).
The implementation methodologies for this project is to undertake research, implement practical actions and generally improve the environmental performance and sustainability of the fishing activity of SADSTIA members (trawl operators and owners), particularly focusing on these 12 non-target species management, where these 12 bycatch species will be given vigilant attention through sea-monitoring of total catches and scientific assessment of their stock status.
The follow-up mechanisms that are currently practised for this project are as follows; new-board routines have been introduced to the skippers and fishing crews as well as practices, where the way they log and report catches has changed ensuring that better recording system is followed and catches are sorted, accurately tallied and reported.
The governance highlight the synergies of fishing industry, government, academic institution and civic organisations working together to accomplish the goal for this project.
Progress reports
By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
Type of commitment
- Other (please specify): Sustainable ecosystem-based bycatch management
Quantification
- 12 non-target fish species
By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics
Type of commitment
- Reduction of fisheries by-catch and product waste/losses
Quantification
December/2016
