Traditional linefish total allowable allocation; DFFE & MLRF Q1 and 2 2025/26 Performance; with the Deputy Minister

The Portfolio Committee received a briefing from Coastal Links Western Cape on the 2026/27 traditional linefish total allowable effort allocation, raising concerns over the reduction in the number of vessels allocated to small-scale fishers to 77. It argued that the decision undermined prior commitments to promote equitable access for small-scale fishers, including court judgments and policy undertakings, and threatened the livelihoods, food security and cultural rights of coastal communities. It delivered a set of demands to the Committee, and requested a written response within five days. The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) acknowledged concerns raised and committed to providing a written response within the requested timeframe. The Director-General explained that the allocation decision had been taken by a delegated authority in terms of the Marine Living Resources Act, and could be reviewed only by the Minister through a formal appeal process. The Department undertook to consider the matter, and confirmed that the Minister would be briefed. Members across parties expressed support for the concerns raised, and emphasised the need for justice, fair redistribution and meaningful consultation. The Deputy Minister stressed the importance of strengthening the economic viability of cooperatives, improving access to funding and markets, and balancing livelihood concerns with conservation imperatives. The Committee then received a briefing from the DFFE and the Marine Living Resources Fund (MRLF) on their first and second quarter performance for the 2025/26 financial year. The Department reported performance of 72% in quarter 1 and 77% in quarter 2, with improvements across several programmes and an unqualified audit opinion for 2024/25. However, expenditure was below projected benchmarks in both quarters due to withdrawn delegations, delayed approvals, recruitment freezes and National Treasury constraints. Members raised concerns about the under-expenditure, performance gaps in environmental programmes, delays in scientific surveys, vacancy rates, audit findings, climate change coordination, waste tyre management, fishing harbour operations and the tangible impact of Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) job creation on environmental outcomes. Particular concern was expressed about the operational status and management of small fishing harbours, including infrastructure maintenance, access control and outdated docking fees. The Department attributed delays in environmental programmes to project approval requirements, contractual reviews involving entities such as SANParks and iSimangaliso, and capacity constraints affecting data verification. The fisheries branch reported full achievement of quarterly targets, and highlighted the in-house implementation of the Working for Fisheries EPWP programme. The MLRF reported improved performance in Quarter 2, maintaining a clean audit, and explained fluctuations in revenue linked to application fees, confiscated assets and accounting recognition practices. The Deputy Minister proposed a joint meeting between the Portfolio Committee on Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment and the Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure to address overlapping responsibilities in relation to the 13 small harbours. The Acting Chairperson confirmed that such a meeting was scheduled for 31 March, and indicated that the Committee would continue its oversight through site visits and written follow-up questions. The Department was expected to respond to outstanding matters within the stipulated timeframe.