Policy for the Allocation and Management of Commercial Fishing Rights in the South Coast Rock Lobster Fishery: 2021.

This Policy for the allocation and management of fishing rights in the South Coast Rock Lobster Fishery ('the SCRL fishery ) is issued by the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, and must be read in conjunction with the General Policy on the allocation of commercial fishing rights: 2021. This Policy provides for: profile of the fishery, including: description of the fishery, required vessels, biology and resource dynamics; previous long-term fishing rights allocation process. Concerning the objectives, this Policy recognises the need to ensure the optimal, long-term and justifiable use of marine living resources, in order to achieve sustainable development of the fishing sector and an inclusive level of economic growth and to to create sustainable employment consistent with National Government’s development objectives. Specific objectives, related to the allocation of fishing rights in the SCRL fishery, concern: a) optimum utilisation and ecologically sustainable development of marine living resources; b) conservation of marine living resources for both present and future generations; c) application of precautionary approaches in respect of the management and development of marine living resources; d) economic stability and viability of the fishery; e) promotion of transformation, expansion of meaningful participation (increase of participation, value-creation, and linkage) and growth; f) improvement of the quality of jobs through the promotion of permanent employment and allocation of rights to disadvantaged persons; g) adherence to fair labour practices; h) food security promotion and poverty alleviation; i) promotion of youth and female ownership and development.
Concerning commercial fishing rights allocation process, matters covered by this Policy regard: granting of fishing rights, including: form of right holders, duration of rights, multi-sector involvement, transfer of rights; number of vessels; application and grant-of-right fees; new applicants; mechanism and criteria for allocating quantum; evaluation and exclusionary criteria, including fishing performance, fishing experience and knowledge, suitable vessels, compliance, investment in the fishery, transformation, job creation and conditions of employment. Concerning management measures, matters covered by this Policy include: ecosystem approach to fishery; observer programme; permit conditions; monitoring and evaluation of the Policy; contraventions.