Search

4.23. (...) About 80% of South Africa's plantation forests are Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC®)-certified, indicating achievements in ensuring sustainable forest management. [193] (...)
[193] GCIS, South Africa Yearbook: Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (2020/21).

4.24. The forestry industry is one of South Africa's strategic economic sectors under the Agricultural Policy Action Plan (APAP) and the NDP 2030 [the National Development Plan 2030]. Previously, DAFF[the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries] was pursuing an annual afforestation target of 10,000 ha (net). However, the target has not been met due to various reasons that include challenges with acquisition of water use licences for afforestation and the need to conduct environmental impact assessments since forestry classifies as a stream flow reduction activity in terms of environmental law. There were new efforts to review the target by the DFFE[the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment]. The focus remains on encouraging cooperatives, simplifying and streamlining the regulatory environment, providing training and extension, supporting the implementation of rural credit, and offering incentives for new entrants (especially those previously disadvantaged).

4.26. The South African coastline covers more than 3,000 km. These shores are particularly rich in biodiversity, with some 10,000 species of marine plants and animals (about 15% of global ocean species).[195] South Africa has one of the largest exclusive economic zones (EEZs) in the world.[196] The value of the fisheries production sector is around ZAR 6 billion per annum and the sector directly employs some 27,000 people in the commercial sector (about 16,000 in the primary sector and 11,000 in the secondary and tertiary sectors).[197]
[195] GCIS, South Africa Yearbook: Agriculture (2014/15) and South Africa Yearbook: Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (2020/21).
[196] Nairobi Convention (2021), "South Africa Works to Maximize Economic Benefits from the Ocean While Maintaining Environmental Standards", 10 August. Viewed at: https://www.nairobiconvention.org/south-africa-works-to-maximize-economic-benefits-from-the-ocean-while-maintaining-environmental-standards/.
[197] GCIS, South Africa Yearbook: Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (2020/21); and Government of South Africa. Viewed at: https://www.gov.za/about-sa/fisheries#:~:text=In%20South%20Africa%2C%20the%20%EF%AC%81sheries,the%20basic%20needs%20of%20life.

4.28. The DFFE[Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment] has responsibility for the fisheries sector. The Marine Living Resources Act, 1998 (Act No. 18 of 1998) and its implementing regulations provide for the conservation of the marine ecosystem, the long-term sustainable use of marine living resources, and the orderly access to exploitation.

4.29. (...) Annual scientific stock assessments of each fishery are conducted to ascertain the maximum sustainable yield and determine an annual "total allowable catch" (TAC) or a "total allowable effort" (TAE) or a combination thereof. (...)

4.30. In 2016, South Africa acceded to the FAO Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA), which seeks to stop IUU fishing and deny access to fishers attempting to unload illegal catch in its ports. The authorities noted that all landed fish is monitored for IUU purposes, as well as to gather scientific data. They reported that during FY2021/22, more than ZAR 20 million of illegal catch was confiscated.

4.33. A National Freshwater (Inland) Wild Capture Fisheries Policy was endorsed by Cabinet in August 2021. The policy is based on the three pillars of social, economic, and sustainable development. (...)

4.34. In 2014, the Government launched Operation Phakisa: Oceans Economy. This aims to help unlock the economic potential of South Africa's oceans through various growth areas that include aquaculture and marine protection services and ocean governance.(...)

4.39. The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) is responsible for the regulation and development of the minerals (and energy) sector and for ensuring sustainable and affordable energy, following the merger of two separate departments for minerals and energy. (...)

4.53. Recent measures taken to address this situation have reportedly included:
(...)
• Measures to encourage new private-sector generation capacity and to accelerate procurement of this capacity, including (...) (iv) implementation of reduced timeframes for registration and obtaining environmental authorizations; and (v) the introduction of tax incentives for investments in rooftop solar.