Can Small-Scale Fisheries be Sustainable?

The debate around the sustainability of South Africa’s small-scale fisheries including the recreational west coast rock lobster fishery, is ongoing. This topic has taken centre stage lately at various Portfolio Committee meetings of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment. At the heart of it is the question of how to support small-scale fisheries. It is also discussed at an international level.

Expert opinion published in June last year by the Department of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development at the University of Pretoria, is that small-scale fisheries can provide win-wins for livelihoods and the environment, if managed with care.

The writer suggests ways to strengthen and support artisanal fishering operations which includes government subsidies and other funds being directed at small-scale fishers to let them expand their markets, ecosystem restoration projects, and incentive programmes. It’s worth a read.