Branch - FIM Home | Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment

Submitted by admin on November 22, 2021

The South African shores are particularly rich in biodiversity, with some 10 000 species of marine plants and animals recorded.

The fisheries sector is worth around R8 billion a year and the commercial sector directly employs approximately 28 000 people with many thousands more depending on fisheries resources to meet basic needs in the small-scale and recreational sectors.

WHAT DOES THE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT BRANCH OF THE DEPARTMENT DO?

Manage the development and sustainable use of marine and coastal resources

Maximise the economic potential of the ﬁsheries sector

Protect the integrity and quality of the country's marine and coastal ecosystems.

The main purpose of the fisheries managment branch, is to ensure the sustainable use of and orderly access to marine living resources through improved management, regulation and the development of South Africa's fisheries sector through:

AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT BILL

Finalisation of the bill will assist in streamlining approval processes, elimination of unnecessary red tape, unlocking competitiveness of sector and contribution to food safety and security.

TRAINING INTERVENTIONS

Training interventions, mentorship programmes and other development support packages to small-scale fishing cooperatives.

ILLEGAL FISHING

Ongoing need to address illegal fishing, particularly in the nearshore space.

INCREASED STABILITY

Increased stability in the commercial fishing sector in South Africa.

IMPACT STATEMENT

A sustainable fisheries and aquaculture sector for economic growth.

SUB-PROGRAMMES

OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL

Provides strategic leadership and overall management services to the Branch Fisheries Management.

MONITORING, CONTROL AND SURVEILLENCE

Ensures protection and promotion of sustainable use of marine living resources by intensifying enforcement and compliance with relevant legislation and regulations.