The latest Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) annual surveillance report for South African trawl-caught hake has confirmed that the fishery is well managed and continues to perform in line with the world’s most rigorous environmental certification requirements.
The hake trawl fishery, which comprises the inshore sector, targeting predominantly shallow water hake (Merluccius capensis) on South Africa’s South Coast, and the offshore sector, targeting mostly deep water hake (M. paradoxus), on fishing grounds extending from the Namibian border southwards along the Agulhas fringe, was the first hake fishery in the world to be certified against the MSC’s Environmental Standard for Sustainable Fishing. The fishery was originally certified in 2004 and recertified in 2010 for a further 5-year period.
Striving for continual improvement
Following certification of a fishery against the MSC Standard, it has to undergo annual surveillance audits to examine any significant changes that might have occurred either in the physical environment or in the management of the fishery. These audits are carried out by a team of experts, appointed by an independent certifier, and have two principal functions: (1) to review any changes in the management of the fishery, including regulations, key management or scientific staff, or stock evaluation and (2) to evaluate the progress of the fishery against any Conditions of Certification raised during the Main Assessment.
The audit team visited Cape Town between the 4th and 8th of March 2013. Meetings were held with the client group and key stakeholders, including fishing industry representatives, government regulators, marine scientists, and environmental NGOs. The findings based on these interviews and submitted reports showed significant progress in all key areas. Issues highlighted at the previous surveillance audit in 2012 had been addressed to the satisfaction of the review team who noted, in particular, the continued improvement in deep water hake stocks, which are expected to achieve the stock rebuilding targets well ahead of schedule, and the observer coverage that has been raised by the fishing industry to a level that exceeds what was in place when the fishery was re-certified.
In past years the hake industry has agreed to significant quota reductions based on scientific recommendations to rebuild deep water hake stocks and, most importantly, to increase catch per unit effort. This initiative is now paying off as quotas can be slowly increased again to preferred target levels, providing stability in catches. The audit confirmed that these precautionary management principles conform to international best practice.
The previous audit raised specific concerns about the lapse of the Government’s Offshore Resource Observer Programme. Reviewers took into consideration steps that have been taken by the Fisheries Branch of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) to ensure that this is reinstated. The contract for the provision of observers is in the final stages of completion and the Department provided assurances that the programme will be reinstated in the 2013-14 Financial Year.
The assessment team also noted that collaboration between the client, the South African Deep Sea Trawl Industry Association (SADSTIA) and DAFF has further been strengthened by the formation of an official MSC Liaison Committee.
Five conditions have been closed at this audit, while progress on the open conditions remains on track. It was however also noted that there are some key deadlines that need to be met in the coming year to ensure that the four remaining conditions are addressed. This will require intensive endeavour between the parties.
The assessment team recommended that present research and annual surveys be sustained and continuously reviewed for weaknesses. This follows the problems blighting the Department’s main research vessel, the RV Africana, during the past 12 months; an issue which is being addressed at present. The assessment team were also encouraged by steps taken by DAFF to ensure that offshore patrol vessels are redeployed to restore the high levels of control and compliance last seen in 2011, prior to the problems with management of the fishery patrol vessel fleet during 2012.
Protecting and growing key markets
South African hake sold to European markets accounts for up to R1.9 billion in annual revenue, with the deep sea trawling sector employing 6,500 people. There is increasing global demand for sustainable seafood that can be traced back to fisheries with credible third party certification and many European and North American markets now demand it from their suppliers. Supported by government, industry and market stakeholders, the hake trawl sector’s MSC status places it amongst the best managed fisheries in the world, helping to maintain its presence and opening new doors into these markets.
Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Tina Joemat-Pettersson said, “The South African government remains supportive of any initiative that contributes to the well-being of our natural environment whilst also helping to secure jobs for local South Africans. We have again demonstrated our commitment to the on-going certification of the hake trawl fishery and will continue to work alongside the MSC and industry to ensure we can continue to maximise opportunities in existing and prospective markets.”
Martin Purves, the MSC’s Southern Africa Programme Manager, complimented the joint efforts of government and the fishery, saying, “the formation of the MSC liaison committee is a strong indication of the intent by government and the fishing industry to maintain the MSC status of the South African hake fishery. Increasingly, markets around the world have recognised sustainable management of natural resources as essential to the continuation of their businesses. This is reflected in the growing number of public commitments to preferential procurement of seafood that can be shown to be from a well-managed fishery. Maintaining certification of SA hake will ensure that the fishery continues to manage its environmental impacts within acceptable limits and also safeguard the many jobs associated with fishing activities.”
Roy Bross, Secretary of client group SADSTIA, said, “The report is very positive for the hake industry and its reassuring to have independent recognition of the work that has gone into meeting the conditions that were set out in the previous surveillance report. Whilst we have no doubts about the continued certification of our fishery, there is much to be done in the next 10 months to ensure that the remaining conditions are closed out in 2014. We are entirely confident that the existing level of Public/Private Sector partnership and co-operation will ensure that the considerable load of upcoming work on fisheries monitoring, bycatch and benthic research and scientific surveys will be properly finished in time, provided all parties stick to their programs. We feel that the hake fishery is already very well managed, but MSC certification encourages continued improvement in line with global best practice.”
Read the full South Africa hake 2013 surveillance report (PDF 1085KB)