The Dyer Island Conservation Trust (DICT) in association with Overstrand Municipality, Gansbaai Administration, is very excited to be establishing the Fishing Line Recovery and Recycling Program (FLRRP) along the Gansbaai shoreline, with specially designed disposal bins.
This innovative project aims to reduce the severe environmental damage caused by discarded fishing line on our coastline. Monofilament fishing line is non-biodegradable and can last for up to 600 years in the marine environment where it entangles wildlife, is mistakenly ingested by birds and animals, resulting in injury or death, and is also hazardous to boaters and swimmers.
Anglers will be encouraged to recycle or dispose of their used fishing line at these bins. The Trust holds regular beach clean-ups with local schools and the community creating further opportunity for education. The Trust would like to see this project go further afield and is grateful for the support shown by the Overstrand Municipality.

http://www.dict.org.za/news.php?section=view&id=103&page=

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Invitation to Comment on the Draft Policy for the Small-scale Fisheries Sector in South Africa. Click This Document    

Roadshow Itinerary - Click This Document   

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Gazette Notice 33518 - 10 September 20101

CLICK HERE ---->

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For Immediate Release

Mary Jane Williamson
Communications Director
mjwilliamson@asafishing.org, 703-519-9691, x227
www.asafishing.org


Sportfishing Industry Asks EPA to Dismiss Petition to Ban Lead in Tackle

Petition side-steps sound science in its argument for the ban

Alexandria, VA - September 9, 2010 - Yesterday, the sportfishing industry submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requesting that the petition to ban lead in all fishing gear be denied. The petition, which was filed on August 23, by the Center for Biological Diversity and four other organizations, cites the impact on waterbirds as the main reason for the requested ban. Also submitting requests for denial are the National Marine Manufacturers Association and the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. In addition to the proposed ban on lead fishing gear, the petition also requested a ban on lead in ammunition for the hunting and the shooting sports. The EPA denied that petition on August 27, 2010.
A similar petition to ban lead in fishing tackle was presented to the EPA in 1992. In 1994, EPA abandoned its proposed rule after finding that the impact of lead did not present a threat to any bird population; that the economic impact was significant; and that the proposed rule was socially unacceptable.
"Each of those findings remains valid today," said ASA Vice President Gordon Robertson. "The petitioners have presented little credible evidence to suggest that lead in recreational fishing products is threatening the health of either humans or wildlife. Substantive evidence about the impact of lead on waterbird populations - a central theme of the petition - is glaringly absent."
In addition, the petition:

•    Significantly underestimates the economic impact of removing all lead from fishing tackle on the sportfishing industry and the American recreational fishing public.

•    Seriously overstates the availability and practicality of most alternatives to lead recreational fishing products.

•    Fails to recognize that state fish and wildlife agencies are the proper regulatory authorities to address instances of documented waterbird mortality.
"The petitioners claim that there are many comparable alternative materials that will minimize the social and economic impacts of a lead ban," noted Robertson. "Steel, tin and tungsten are the only suitable alternatives to lead in fishing tackle and they have limitations in performance, application and price. Tin- and tungsten-based fishing gear could cost ten to twenty times more than their lead counterparts."

"Since 1933 the sportfishing industry has strongly supported administrative and legislative initiatives that support clean water and healthy and abundant fish populations," said Robertson. "We continue to stand behind such measures, especially those that remove health-threatening pollutants from our waterways. Lead in its manufactured form in recreational fishing equipment poses little to no harm to the environment. We want citizens to know that lead in fishing equipment also poses a minute health risk for humans and waterbird populations."
Robertson concluded, "Members of the hunting community spoke out against the petition with a positive outcome. We are proud that thousands of anglers have already submitted comments to the EPA opposing this unjustified petition. We encourage all anglers to let their voices be heard demonstrating that the American angling public does not support the petitioners' unreasonable request."

Comments to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson and Members of Congress may be made submitted through KeepAmericaFishing.org.

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The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) is the sportfishing industry's trade association, committed to looking out for the interests of the entire sportfishing community. We give the industry a unified voice speaking out when emerging laws and policies could significantly affect sportfishing business or sportfishing itself. We invest in long-term ventures to ensure the industry will remain strong and prosperous as well as safeguard and promote the enduring economic and conservation values of sportfishing in America. ASA also represents the interests of America's 60 million anglers who generate over $45 billion in retail sales with a $125 billion impact on the nation's economy creating employment for over one million people.   
 
 

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Media statement by the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Honourable Tina Joemat-Pettersson

6 Sep 2010

The Ministry and Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is happy to announce the appointment of and introduce Mr Langa Zita as the new Director-General (DG) of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF).

It has been an arduous long walk to get to this point. Although this may look like a process that has taken too long, understood in the proper context, you will know that it has taken us only three months to finally appoint the DG.

Although this ministry and department were created in June last year, the total transfer of the fisheries branch was only completely transfered to us in April this year.

We have always said that when we finally appoint a DG, it will be a DG of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, and not only of agriculture, which has been the misnomer of many of our stakeholders including the media, thinking that this portfolio is only about agriculture.

We are therefore happy to introduce Mr Langa Zita as the new DG. Until his appointment, Mr Zita was Special Advisor to the Minister focusing on policy.

We are particularly proud to have found a candidate that brings in a full background and skills required for this very important role. Born in Peddie in 1967, this married father of two sons brings a very impressive CV and pedigree to DAFF that includes:

* Masters degree in Public Development and Management from Witwatersrand University

* A journalism degree from Rhodes University

* Studying towards BA Honours degree in Economics through the University of the Western Cape (research paper outstanding)

* A prospective PhD candidate with the University of Cape Town looking at the politcal economy of freedom in the developing world.

Mr Zita comes with a rich political background having started in students politics in 1980 leading up to his election as Member of Parliament in the National Assembly of the governing African National Congress in 1999.

In the National Assembly his roles included:

* 1999 Member ANC Economic Transformation Committee of the National Executive Committee

* 2005 appointed as the Chairperson of Environment and Tourism Portfolio Committee

* 2006 appointed as a Convener of the Economic Cluster Committee of the African National Congress in Parliament.

His experience means that he also brings in the understanding of the fisheries sector, which is an integral part of our department. Having worked in the economic cluster of the ANC, the knowledge he brings will help translate the ANC economic policies into the work of DAFF.

Under his stewardship, we are confident that DAFF will now knuckle down on the deliverables set for us by President Jacob Zuma, which

include:

* Decent employment through economic growth

* Protect and enhance our environmental assets and natural resources

* Vibrant, equitable and sustainable rural communities and food security for all

* Creating a better South Africa and contribution to a better and safer Africa in a better world

* A skilled and capable workforce and

* Sustainable human settlements and improved quality of household life.

The Ministry and Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries welcomes Mr Zita in his new office and we are confident that he will elevate our work to the world class levels required for us to meet our priorities.

Thank You.

Enquiries:

Carol Moses

Tel: 021 402 3448

Cell: 082 829 3917

E-mail: CarolMo@daff.gov.za

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Details for these 3 prestigious events can be viewed under Events in the forum (click here)

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