Special Project Report on the review of the TAC for West Coast Rock Lobster for the 2021/22 fishing season by the Consultative Advisory Forum for Marine Living Resources

Summary

South Africa's West Coast Rock Lobster (WCRL) fishery faces severe challenges due to historical overfishing, environmental decline, and rampant poaching, which has left the resource at less than 1.5% of its pristine biomass and negatively impacted dependent communities. To address this, a Special Project Report was commissioned by the Minister to the Consultative Advisory Forum, which reviewed TAC methodologies, poaching estimates, and proposed co-management strategies. The report recommends a 700-ton TAC for the 2021/2022 season as part of a phased reduction, alongside an urgent poaching reduction strategy and improved community co-management, with implementation of these recommendations currently planned.

Key Facts

Source Document

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