National Freshwater (Inland) Wild Capture Fisheries Policy for South Africa

This Policy moves from the consideration that inland fisheries will provide an opportunity for the promotion of economic and social benefits of the Country, on the basis of a sustainable development approach. Therefore, its purpose is to support and guide the sustainable development and management of the inland fisheries sector, through legislative reform and harmonisation, definition of access rights, government organisational structure and capacity, empowerment of rural communities. The Policy applies to all public inland waters of the State, including rivers, dams, lakes and wetlands and excluding marine waters; It covers all aspects of the inland fisheries value chain, including small-scale fishing, recreational fishing and associated commercial activities. It addresses to all the parties involved in the capture of freshwater aquatic organisms, including: fishers, suppliers, processors, marketers, consultants, tertiary and research institutions, environmental custodians, consumers, the general public and government departments and agencies.
The following relevant terms are defined: aquaculture; capture fisheries; co-management; community; ecosystem approach to fisheries; freshwater aquatic organism; freshwater fish; human rights-based approach; inland fisheries; precautionary approach; ranching; recreational fisheries; traditional and customary fishing. Section A of the Policy concerns the analysis of the legal framework and a profile of the inland fisheries within the Country. Section B defines principles and objectives of the Policy. Among the principles, the following are the most relevant: inclusivity; equitable access to freshwater aquatic resources; transformation processes; sustainable development; aquatic animal welfare; value chain approach. The defined objectives are: developmental fisheries governance institutions; equity and transformation; growing inland fisheries value chain; sustainable fisheries management; co-management; institutional arrangements; legislation improvement; public sector organisational capacity; trained officials and resource users. The Section also concerns policy implementation focus areas and institutional arrangements. Section C regards Policy implementation measures.