PRETORIA — In a move designed to safeguard the commercial fishing industry, the government has officially increased the sardine total allowable catch for areas west of Cape Agulhas by 6,000 tonnes. The adjustment, announced by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, raises the regional quota from its previous limit of 30,500 tonnes to 36,500 tonnes.
Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Willie Aucamp confirmed the policy shift on Tuesday, highlighting that the intervention secures over 5,000 livelihoods across the sector.
“I am very pleased that we have saved more than a thousand jobs, whilst also ensuring the protection of our natural resources. Creating jobs and growing our economy does not stand in opposition to the protection of our environment, which was again evident in reaching this decision,” Aucamp stated.
The newly added 6,000-tonne allocation is split evenly between two scientific adjustments. Half of the increase—3,000 tonnes—is derived from corrected survey timings. The remaining 3,000 tonnes were unlocked by converting existing sardine Total Allowable Bycatches (TABs) into primary catch limits.
This regulatory adjustment addresses urgent appeals from stakeholders in the commercial Small Pelagic sector. Processors operating west of Cape Agulhas were facing severe raw material shortages, leading to significant socio-economic hardship. Because several rights holders had already exhausted their initial local TAC allocations, operations were forced to scale down, immediately placing more than 1,000 jobs at risk.
To address the crisis, Minister Aucamp directed the Small Pelagic Scientific Working Group (SWG) to evaluate the feasibility of a short-term quota expansion. Following their review, the SWG formally approved the additional allocation on Monday, 29 June 2026. The entire determination process operates under the legal parameters of the Marine Living Resources Act, 1998 (Act No. 18 of 1998).
Looking ahead, the department maintains that resource monitoring will continue through rigorous scientific assessments and ongoing industry consultations. Officials noted that any subsequent modifications to small pelagic stock management will strictly adhere to established legislative frameworks, sustainable resource management practices, and peer-reviewed scientific advice.