Government has signalled its intention to revise the Marine Living Resources Act (MLRA), potentially ushering in an important new process that will require close collaboration between the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, the fishing industry and a range of other stakeholders. One of the issues likely to receive attention during this process is […]
New study explores the value of long-term fishing rights Read More »
South Africa’s first harbour-based fishing net recycling project has completed a successful first year of operation, recycling nearly 25 tons of end-of-life fishing net collected from local fishing companies. The project, based at Collier Jetty in the V&A Waterfront, is backed by the South African Deep-Sea Trawling Industry Association (SADSTIA) and funded through the Marine
Nearly 25 tons of end-of-life fishing net recycled in pilot project’s first year Read More »
South Africa’s trawl fishery for hake, which supplies hake to supermarkets and restaurants across South Africa and also exports a wide range of value-added hake products to international markets, has been certified to the Marine Stewardship Council’s Standard for environmental sustainability in wild-capture fisheries, for a fifth consecutive time. The trawl fishery’s re-certification extends an
Good news for fish lovers: SA hake keeps its ecolabel Read More »
(Photo: Steve Yaxley) The recurring breakdown of South Africa’s fisheries research vessel Africana threatens the 40-year data record that underpins the trawl fishery for hake and its long-standing certification by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). Johann Augustyn, Executive Secretary of SADSTIA, discusses the seriousness of the problem and looks for solutions. Why South
A forty-year data record under threat Read More »
An open letter to David Maynier, nominated as the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Dear Minister-designate David Maynier, In many respects, the deep-sea trawling industry is one of South Africa’s most established and respected agri-export industries. The industry’s main product, Cape hake, is renowned in 26 countries around the world and hake is
What you need to know about South Africa’s hake trawl fishery Read More »
A fierce debate around a recent study that claims bottom trawling in European waters costs society up to €16 billion (~ R335 billion) per year has exposed a widening gulf between conservation advocacy groups and the fishing industry. The South African experience is markedly different: the fishing industry, environmental organisations and government recognise the vital
A different conversation about trawling Read More »
A ceremony held in Cape Town last week to celebrate the successful registration and certification of the freezer trawler Santa Princesa marked another significant investment in South Africa’s deep-sea trawl fishery. The 65 m, 2 999 kW freezer trawler will replace the Umzabalazo and catch the allocations of Mayibuye Fishing, Ntshonalanga Fishing and Khoi Qwa Fishing
New vessel reflects continued investment in hake trawl fishery Read More »
Since long-term fishing rights were allocated in 2022, six new vessels valued at approximately R600 million have entered the trawl fishery for hake, reflecting strong confidence in a fishery that is tightly regulated, certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and integrated into some of the world’s most demanding seafood markets. Key achievements in 2025
SADSTIA’s Annual Review 2025 is available now Read More »
Wilfred Esau, one of the most respected skippers in the South African trawl fishery for hake and a lifelong I&J employee, has passed away. Over a career spanning nearly four decades, he rose through the ranks from factory hand to one of the company’s most accomplished and trusted captains, leaving behind a legacy defined by
Wilfred Esau: A life at sea Read More »
Fish from the sea plays a vital role in feeding a growing global population, but debates about the environmental impact of fishing are often framed in overly simplistic terms. Recent research published in Reviews in Fisheries Science & Aquaculture highlights the importance of looking at the full picture when considering how different food production systems
Fishing and biodiversity: understanding the bigger picture Read More »
