Considerations on management of the chokka squid jig fishery with reference to the pending FRAP 2020 allocation of fishing rights and implementation of Small Scale Fisheries

Mwicigi, Jean; Durholtz, Deon; Glazer, Jean; Butterworth, Doug S

Considerations on management of the chokka squid jig fishery with reference to the pending FRAP 2020 allocation of fishing rights and implementation of Small Scale Fisheries

Report

2018-08

Abstract

The South African squid jig fishery is primarily managed using effort control. The management objective for the fishery is to cap effort at a level that secures the greatest catch, on average, in the longer term without exposing the resource to the threat of reductions to levels which future recruitment success might be impaired or catch rates drop below economically viable levels. Assessments of the dynamics and status of the resource, and subsequent scientific advice on the management of the jig fishery targeting the resource (primarily expressed as a Total Allowable Effort recommendation), are based on an effort metric of person-days. The current TAE is set at 270 000 person-days. Fishing Rights are, however, allocated in terms of the number of fishers that are permitted to operate in the fishery (2 451 fishers). This mismatch has required that within the current structure of the fishery an additional closed season has had to be implemented to ensure that the management objective for the fishery is not compromised. The implications in terms of the pending 2020 allocation of fishing rights and establishment of a Small Scale Fishery are discussed, and alternative management scenarios are explored.

Reference:

Collections

Reports

Full item page