Feedback | Rollout of Western Cape small-scale fishing rights : re-run of the 2016 process
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Final list: successful / declared fishers | Download documents: GPR, independent report & annexures | Rollout of SSF process:2016 re-run | Background information | Enquiries |
The rights allocation process to small-scale fishing co-operatives in the Western Cape - appeal period extended
12 January 2024 - The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Ms Barbara Creecy, has extended the closing date for submission of appeals on the decisions taken in allocating small-scale fishing rights to small-scale fishing co-operatives in the Western Cape. small-scale fishing co-operatives, affected and/or interested persons who may wish to submit an appeal my do so by 31 January 2024. The extension has been granted because of requests for additional time to submit appeals. Appeals received after 31 January 2024 will not be accepted.
Final list of declared small-scale fishers in the Western Cape
The DFFE has announced the final list of declared small-scale fishers in the Western Cape. The list was compiled in terms of the Marine Living Resources Act's regulations related to small-scale fishing in South Africa and followed the Western Cape High Court judgment.
Out of over 4 000 verification forms that were submitted, over 84% of applicants have been declared successful and are thus recognised as small-scale fishers in line with the Marine Living Resources Act. This is a significant improvement from the previous process wherein a mere 31% had been successful and declared small-scale fishers. More than 30% of successful and declared small-scale fishers are women, while 68% of the fishers are coloured, 25% are black fishers and three percent are white.
» read more [media statement]
» Download the list of successful fishers [PDF - 6.72 mb]
Download documents
General published reasons (GPR) on the process, a list of successful and declared small-scale fishers and the independent report can be located here:
- Annexure A: List of successful small-scale fishers [PDF - 6.72 mb]
- Small-scale fishing rights allocation process for Western Cape: general published reasons (GPR) for the decisions on the declaration of small-scale fishers in the Western Cape [PDF - 4.78 mb]
- The independent report | Observer forum review of the rights allocation process for small-scale fisheries permits: master report, March 2023 [PDF - 1.76 mb]
- Annexure / area keys [PDF - 104 kb]
- Record of annexures:
ANX. | AREA NO. | REGION | DISTRIBUTION | RECEIPTING | DOWNLOADS |
A | Area 1 | CBD | Kwezi Hall Day 1 | Kwezi Hall | Download doc. [PDF - 1.55 MB] |
B | Area 2 | CBD | Eyethu Community Hall | Eyethu Community Hall | Download doc. [PDF - 4.47 mb] |
C | Area 3 | CBD | Phandulwazi Hall | Phandulwazi Hall | Download doc. [PDF - 4.43 mb] |
D | Area 4 | CBD | Melkbos Country Club | Melkbos Country Club | Download doc. 4.51 mb] |
E | Area 5 | WC | Saxon Sea Civic | Saxon Sea Primary School Hall | Download doc. [PDF - 4.66 mb] |
G | Area 7 | CBD | Bellville South Civic Centre | Bellville South Civic Centre | Download doc. [PDF - 5.24 mb] |
H | Area 8 | WC | Mamre Moravian Church Hall | Mamre Moravian Church Hall | Download doc. 4.66 mb] |
I | Area 9 | WC | Darling Community hall | Darling Community hall | Download doc. [PDF - 5.22 mb] |
J | Area 10 | CBD | Hanover Park Community Centre | Hanover Park Community Centre | Download doc. [PDF - 4.43 mb] |
K | Area 11 | SC | Moffat Community Hall | Hermanus Multi Purpose Centre | Download doc. [PDF - 4.2 mb] |
L | Area 12 | CBD | Westridge church hall | Church of Nazeren Hall | Download doc. [PDF - 4.82 mb] |
M | Area 13 | CBD | Retreat Hall | Sharon Assembly Hall | Download doc. [PDF - 4.66 mb] |
N | Area 14 | CBD | Harmony Hall | Harmony Hall | Download doc. [PDF - 4.11 mb] |
O | Area 15 | CBD | Methodist Church - Vrygrond Green Church | Gospel Faith Mission Church | Download doc. [PDF - 4.81 mb] |
P | Area 16 | CBD | Hangberg Multipurpose Centre | Hangberg Multipurpose Centre | Download doc. [PDF - 5.17 mb] |
Q | Area 17 | SC | Hawston Thusong Centre | Hawston Thusong Centre | Download doc. [PDF - 4.46 mb] |
R | Area 18 | WC | Yzerfontein Community Hall | Yzerfontein Community Hall | Download doc. PDF - 4.75 mb] |
S | Area 19 | CBD | Imizamo Yethu - Iziko Lobomi | Iziko Lobomi | Download doc. [PDF - 4.89 mb] |
T | Area 20 | CBD | Kalk Bay - Holy Trinity Church | Kalk Bay - Holy Trinity Church | Download doc. [PDF - 4.75 mb] |
U | Area 21 | CBD | Ocean View - Multipurpose Centre | Ocean View - Multipurpose Centre | Download doc. [PDF - 4.89 mb] |
V | Area 22 | CBD | Redhill Library | Redhill Library | Download doc. [PDF - 4.68 mb] |
W | Area 23 | SC | Blompark VGK/ URC Hall | Blompark VGK/ URC Hall | Download doc. [PDF - 4.22 mb] |
X | Area 24 | CBD | Macassar Hall | Macassar Old Civic Hall | Download doc. [PDF - 4.97 mb] |
Y | Area 25 | CBD | Sir Lowry's Pass Library | Sir Lowry's Pass Library | Download doc. [PDF - 4.82 mb] |
AB | Area 28 | SC | Proteadorp Community Hall | Proteadorp Community Hall | Download doc. [PDF - 4.15 mb] |
AC | Area 29 | SC | Stanford Community Hall | Kiewiet Hall | Download doc. [PDF - 4.17 mb] |
AD | Area 30 | CBD | Die Strand / Godens Bay - VGK Strand | VGK Die Strand | Download doc. [PDF - 4.59 mb] |
AE | Area 31 | WC | Laingville - Sports Club house | Laingville Sports Club house | Download doc. [PDF 4.72 mb] |
AF | Area 32 | SC | Struisbaai Community Hall/ Struisbaai Library | Struisbaai Community Hall | Download doc. [PDF - 4.2 mb] |
AG | Area 33 | SC | Gouritzmond Community Hall | Gouritzmond Community Hall | Download doc. [PDF - 4.21 mb] |
AH | Area 34 | SCC | Touwsranten Community Centre | Touwsranten Community Centre | Download doc. [PDF - 4.42 mb] |
AI | Area 35 | SCC | Kurland Community hall | Kurland Community Hall (Plett) | Download doc. [PDF - 4.56 mb] |
AJ | Area 36 | WC | Lamberts Bay - Don Burrel Hall | Don Burrel Hall | Download doc. [PDF - 4.66 mb] |
AL | Area 38 | WC | Papendorp Church Hall | Papendorp Church Hall | Download doc. [PDF - 4.82 mb] |
AM | Area 39 | WC | Veldrift - Noordhoek Civic | Noordhoek Civic | Download doc. [PDF - 4.51 mb] |
AN | Area 40 | WC | Paternoster Community Hall | Paternoster Community Hall | Download doc. [PDF - 4.5 mb] |
AO | Area 41 | SC | Elim Community Hall | Elim Community Hall | Download doc. [PDF - 4.08 mb] |
AP | Area 42 | SCC | Covie - St Paul's Anglican Church | St Paul's Anglican Church | Download doc. [PDF - 4.46 mb] |
AQ | Area 43 | WC | St Helena Community Hall | St Helena Bay Community Hall | Download doc. [PDF - 5.28 mb] |
AR | Area 44 | WC | Dial Rock Hall - Saldanha - White City Multi Purpose Centre | White City Multi purpose centre | Download doc. [PDF - 4.77 mb] |
AS | Area 45 | SC | Buffelsjag Community Hall | Buffelsjag Community Hall | Download doc. [PDF - 4.05 mb] |
AT | Area 46 | SC | Vermaaklikheid - Slangrivier Community Hall | Slangrivier Community Hall | Download doc. [PDF - 3.74 mb] |
AU | Area 47 | SCC | Asla Community Hall | Asla Community Hall | Download doc. [PDF - 4.63 mb] |
AV | Area 48 | SCC | KwaNokuthula Plett - Thusong Community Centre | Thusong Community Centre | Download doc. [PDF - 4.5 mb] |
AW | Area 49 | WC | Ebenhaezer Community Centre | Ebenhaezer Community Centre | Download doc. [PDF - 4.65 mb] |
AX | Area 50 | SCC | Hornlee Community Hall | Hornlee Community Hall | Download doc. [PDF - 4.37 mb] |
AY | Area 51 | SC | Melkhoutfontein Community Hall | Stillbaai Community Hall | Download doc. [PDF - 4.64 mb] |
AZ | Area 52 | SCC | Plett - New Horizon Community Hall | New Horizon Community Hall | Download doc. [PDF - 3.32 mb] |
BA | Area 53 | WC | Leipoltville town Hall | Leipoltville Church Hall | Download doc. [PDF - 4.56 mb] |
BB | Area 54 | WC | Steenberg Community Hall | Steenberg Cove Community Hall | Download doc. [PDF - 4.44 mb] |
BC | Area 55 | WC | Hopefield Community Hall | Hopefield Community Hall | Download doc. [PDF - 4.42 mb] |
BD | Area 56 | SC | Eluxolweni Community Hall | Eluxolweni Community Hall | Download doc. [PDF - 4.07 mb] |
BE | Area 57 | SC | Arniston Community Hall/ Eagle Ministry | Arniston Community Hall | Download doc. [PDF - 4.02 mb] |
BF | Area 58 | SCC | D'almeida Town Hall | D'almeida Town hall | Download doc. [PDF - 4.37 mb] |
BG | Area 59 | SCC | Rheenendal Youth Centre | Rheenendal Youth Centre | Download doc. [PDF - 4.41 mb] |
BH | Area 60 | WC | Doring Bay - Miriam Owies hall | Miriam Owies Hall | Download doc. [PDF - 4.53 mb] |
BI | Area 61 | WC | Vredenburg - Witteklip Community Hall | Witteklip Community Hall | Download doc. [PDF - 4.75 mb] |
BJ | Area 62 | WC | Langebaan - Thusong Centre | Langebaan Thusong Centre | Download doc. [PDF - 4.48 mb] |
BK | Area 63 | SC | Gansbaai - Masakhane Community Hall | Masakhane Community Hall | Download doc. [PDF - 4.48 mb] |
BL | Area 64 | SC | Bredasdorp - Thusong Centre / Welverdiend Library | Bredasdorp Thusong Centre | Download doc. [PDF - 4.07 mb] |
BM | Area 65 | SCC | Sedgefield/ Smutzville Community Hall | Smutzville Community Hall | Download doc. [PDF - 4.46 mb] |
BN | Area 66 | SCC | Kranshoek Hall | Kranshoek Hall | Download doc. [PDF - 4.39 mb] |
BO | Area 67 | SCC | Wilderness - Kleinkranz Church | Kleinkranz Church | Download doc. [PDF - 3.24 mb] |
BQ | Area 69 | SCC | Wittedrift Community Hall (Plett) - Cancelled | Wittedrift Community Hall | Download doc. [PDF - 4.23 mb] |
Rollout of Western Cape small-scale fishing rights : re-run of the 2016 process
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE) facilliated the roll out of the Western Cape small scale fishing (SSF) rights to Western Cape fishers from September 2022. Following this two-week community mobilisation process in Western Cape communities, the DFFE conducted a catch-all week from 17 to 21 October 2022. This is where those who might have not have collected their forms, could be able to do so. The DFFE further agreed to give fishing communities an extended period, which was set to last until the end of November 2022, to complete verification forms.
In preparation for the new process, the DFFE had placed much emphasis on regular community mobilisation and ongoing communication between communities and the DFFE. The DFFE also appointed an independent implementing service provider as well as an observer forum to promote neutrality, transparency, and fairness in the entire process; and there was direct involvement of community-based organisations (CBOs) throughout the process in a dedicated platform.
The entire process followed as below:
- mobilisation in fishing communities
- distribution of verification forms
- receiving verification forms
- registration and verification
- announcement of the provisional list
- appeals and declaration of the final list and;
- registration of small-scale fishing co-operatives and rights allocation.
Various species were already set aside for the SSF sector and some have already been allocated to the existing SSF co-operatives in other coastal provinces.
Documents issued in facilitation of this process
Public notices:
- November 2022: Receipting process for the Western Cape small-scale fisheries verification, registration, declaration, and rights allocation
- 14 October 2022: The department to conduct a catch-all week for Western Cape small-scale fisheries verification and registration process [PDF - 154,81 kb]
- 05 September 2022: Roll out Western Cape small-scale fisheries verification, registration, declaration, and rights allocation [PDF - 105 kb]
Miscellaneous
- Guidance and explanation notes for small-scale fishers [PDF – 1.04 mb]
- Frequently asked questions (FAQs) [PDF - 487.06 kb]
Schedule of consultations
- Receipting process for the Western Cape small-scale fisheries verification, registration, declaration, and rights allocation
- Cape Metro [PDF - 253,3 kb]
- West Coast [PDF - 265,82 kb]
- South Coast (Overberg) [PDF - 253,58 kb]
- Southern Cape (Garden Route) [PDF - 253,11 kb]
- Catch-all week: 17 – 21 October 2022 [PDF - 264,52 kb]
- Receipting process for the Western Cape small-scale fisheries verification, registration, declaration, and rights allocation
September 2022 rollout of Western Cape small-scale fishing rights: re-run of the 2016 process:
Western cape regions
- Cape metro region [PDF - 215 kb]
- Participants list, 2016 [PDF - 47.76 mb]
- South coast region [PDF - 207 kb]
- Participant list, 2022 [PDF - 6.54 mb]
- West coast region [PDF - 2223 kb]
- Participant list, 2022 [PDF - 12.73 mb]
- Southern Cape (Garden Route) region [PDF - 210.18 kb]
- Participant list, 2022 [PDF - 5.23 mb]
Background information
Following the declaration of small-scale fishers in the Western Cape in 2016, the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE), Ms Barbara Creecy and the department received several complaints from fishing communities about the fairness and accuracy of the process followed.
The department then decided to launch an audit on the entire process followed in verifying and recognising small-scale fishers in the Western Cape. The audit findings concluded that the verification process was wholly inadequate, and that the results of the assessments cannot and should not be relied on for any decision-making purpose in terms of the regulations.
Based on the results of the audit report and legal advice, the minister made an application to the Western Cape High Court to review and set aside the process of registration, verification, and declaration of small-scale fishers in the Western Cape.
On 31 August 2022, the court reviewed and set aside the 2016 verification, registration, declarations and rights allocations process as per the minister's request. The court judgement ordered that the applications which were made for the verification and confirmation of small-scale fishers and communities in the Western Cape be remitted to the DFFE and the minister for decision.
Considering the court judgement, the department set an intention to re-run the verification, registration, and declaration of small-scale fishers for all persons that participated in the previous process and ultimately allocate rights to the small-scale fishing sector. Pending the outcome of the envisaged new and revised verification and recognition process, access to fishing by persons who were declared small- scale fishers under the previous process and those fishing under the Interim relief dispensation remained.
The process was only open to fishers who had previously participated in the original verification process in 2016. To confirm eligibility to participate in this process, community members could visit their nearest fishery control office or the departments offices in the Foretrust Building from 12 September 2022 or contact the dedicated call centre line on 021 402 3614.
In preparation for the process, eligible community members were encouraged to ensure that they had their original identity documents (ID) with them and be in the look out for the posters that would be put up in all identified communities from 12 September 2022, which would outline all other required documents. The department would also make available "sample verification forms" during the mobilisation process, for community members to familiarise themselves with the verification form.
For more information
Visit or contact the nearest DFFE Fishery Control Office or/ alternatively, contact call centre:
Tel: 021 402 3614
E-mail: ssfmenquiries@dffe.gov.za