Big strides for Kogelberg small-scale fisheries
The Kogelberg Small Scale Fisheries Improvement Project (FIP) is a pilot project that aims to maximise socioeconomic benefits for the Kleinmond coastal community through market-based incentives, before addressing the environmental challenges facing the small-scale fishers. It is part of the WWF-SA Marine Programme’s approach to addressing the environmental challenges facing small-scale fisheries. Improving catch dataGathering […]
On a rocky road: the west coast rock lobster
Rock lobsters live – and are fished – on both the east and west coasts of South Africa but are two distinct species,. Both species are slow-growing and live a long time. And until recently, they were orange-listed by WWF-SASSI. This year, SASSI re-assessed the rock lobster species harvested on the west coast (Jasus lalandii) […]
Demersal Longline Fishery – change on the water!
South Africa’s demersal (bottom) longline fishery is among our country’s most valuable fishing sectors. The three main seafood species it catches are two hakes – shallow-water and deep-water hake – and kingklip. Yet in 2010, when WWF-SASSI assessed the fishery for its SASSI List, they were concerned about its sustainability and all three species were […]
Signs of a changing tide WWF-SASSI listings raise Green and Red flags!
Seafood lovers across the country will be excited to hear that WWF-SA has announced a number of changes to its Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative (SASSI) listings as a result of updated assessments that were conducted in 2015. One of the major highlights is the Green-listing (Best Choice) of hake and kingklip caught by the […]
WWF-SASSI Braai Ambassador wins 2015 Ultimate Braai Master
The Weskus ANNAS have claimed the title as South Africa’s ULTIMATE BRAAI MASTERS 2015! They walk away with R500 000 in cash, a brand new Suzuki SA SX4 Crossover and a trip to the USA to compete in the World Food Championships as Team South Africa, courtesy of Robertsons Herbs & Spices! The Weskus ANNAs […]
New WWF-SASSI Trailblazer Chefs for 2015
Seven South African chefs were announced as ‘Trailblazers’ in the 2015 WWF-SASSI Trailblazer Awards, held at The Table Bay Hotel, on Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront on Monday, 30th November 2015. The seven awarded chefs are: Chef Peter Pankhurst – Savoy Cabbage Restaurant Chef Greg Coleman – East Head Café, Knysna Chef Michelle Theron – Pierneef […]
Sustainable partnerships make for sustainable business
Businesses with the foresight to recognise that the longevity of their businesses is underpinned by a sustainable supply of fish should be actively engaged in the protection of these resources. It is with this rationale that the Responsible Fisheries Alliance (RFA) was established in 2009. The RFA is a partnership between major fishing corporates, I&J, […]
#FishforLife
The FishforLife programme is a national umbrella project set to launch in upcoming months. The project works with members of the recreational fishing community to gather information about their catches – even the “one that got away” to a database used to study the state of South Africa’s marine life. FishforLife is aimed at improving […]
Retailer/Supplier Scheme Update
2015 is drawing to a close and many of the Participants in the Retailer / Supplier Participation Scheme are reaching their target dates for their sustainable seafood commitments. These include sourcing seafood from origins which are Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified for wild capture fisheries or Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certified for aquaculture species; on […]
The challenges facing the small-scale fishers
The year has been a long and difficult one for small-scale fishers. 2015 was mostly characterised by uncertainty with regards the small-scale fisheries policy. Not only did the fishermen grapple with the derailed implementation of the policy, they were also confronted by a sad reality of the interim relief permit system for West Coast Rock […]