Minister to reconsider abalone decision

A bill to protect SA's coastline has been introduced in National Assembly

Environmental affairs and tourism minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk has undertaken to consider representations made by trade union organisations about the proposed ban on abalone fishing following a late afternoon meeting at his office in Cape Town.

Speaking after the meeting van Schalkwyk's spokespersonn Riaan Aucamp said it had been a constructive discussion which concluded a number of issues regarding the abalone industry as well as subsistence fishing.

The minister had assured the representatives of the Congress of SA Trade Unions, Masifundise Development Organisation, and Food and Allied Workers Union that he would apply his mind to the issues raised and communicate his decision in due course.

Aucamp said there was general acknowledgement at the meeting that the abalone fishing industry was in a crisis.

Originally Masifundise, along with Cosatu, issued an ultimatum to van Schalkwyk to withdraw his decision to close the commercial abalone industry by midday. Last Thursday, government announced that all wild abalone (perlemoen) fishing would be suspended from November 1.

Government communications head Themba Maseko said the suspension was based on the fact that abalone stock was in crisis and threatened with commercial extinction. He said a social plan to address job losses resulting from the decision had been approved. - Sapa