Minister Creecy to announce finalisation of the appeals on the verification of small-scale process and the allocation of small-scale fishing rights in the Western Cape

13 November 2023

The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Ms Barbara Creecy, will host a virtual media briefing to announce finalisation of the appeals on the verification of small-scale process and the allocation of small-scale fishing rights in the Western Cape, on Wednesday, 15 November 2023.

Minister Creecy had sought an order of the high court to review and set aside the small-scale verification process in Western Cape Province, in order to address certain anomalies that had occurred during the verification process in the province. During the reconsideration process from September 2022, the department received in excess of 5 000 applications.

During March 2023, the applications were finalised and more than 84% of applicants were declared successful as small-scale fishers in the Western Cape. Aggrieved applicants submitted appeals and the department received 461 appeals against the reconsidered decision(s) of the delegated authority. Minister Creecy considered each of these appeals and 431 of these appeals were upheld.

Details of the virtual meeting are as follows: 

Date: Wednesday, 15 November 2023
Time: 10h00 – 11h30
Virtual Link: https://rb.gy/e5oshk

To RSVP please contact:

Dimakatso Tsutsubi
Mobile: 066 420 0088 
E-mail: dtsutsubi@dffe.gov.za or

Simphiwe Mnikana 
Mobile: 082 955 4122 
E-mail: smnikina@dffe.gov.za

For media enquiries, contact:
Peter Mbelengwa
Cell: 082 611 8197