About applying for subsistence and small scale fishing exemption

Apply for subsistence and small scale fishing exemption if you live in the coastal communities and want to utilise marine living resources.

You must apply through the locally established Local Co-management committees. The Minister of  Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or a delegated authority under section 81 of the Marine Living Resources Act, 1998 (Act No. 18 of 1998) is the one that grants the exemption.

To qualify for the exemption, you must meet all the  verification criteria. Click on the links below for requirements:

• Oliphants - Ebenheaser
• Afrikaans Oliphants - Ebenheaser
• Intertidal mussels conditions
• Line Fish exemption condition
• Swartkops 2007 exemption conditions
• Oyster permit conditions
• ECRL permit Conditions
  

Note: It is unlawful to engage in subsistence and small-scale fishing without a permit. Currently subsistence and small scale fishers are managed by fishing exemptions until the finalization of the small-scale fisheries policy. The exemption is renewable annually. Before issuing exemptions departmental staff explains exemption conditions and bag limits. Failure to adhere to exemption conditions may result in legal proceeding which include suspension, cancellation or the revocation of the exemption.

What you should do

• Register and apply at your local co-management committees.
• You must indicate which sector or fishery you want to engage in
• Sign on the list to acknowledge receipt of your  exemptions.

How long does it take

The application process may take 1 month or more depending on the volume of applications. The Departmental Officials will call a community meeting to issue exemptions to all registered fishers.

How much does it cost

This service is free until the finalisation of the Small – Scale Fisheries policy.

Forms to complete

There are no forms to complete.

Who to contact
Tel: 021 402 3911
Fax: 021 402 3367
City/town: Cape Town
Physical address: Ground floor,  Fisheries Management , Department of  Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Foretrust Building, Martin Hamerschlag Way, Foreshore, Cape Town, 8000
Postal address: Private Bag X2, Roggebaai, Cape Town, 8012