Marine bill public comment period extended

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Interested and affected parties are invited to submit written comments on the draft bill to the department by no later than 4pm on Friday, 14 June.

The draft bill is also available on the department's website, www.daff.gov.za.

It will also be made available in Afrikaans, IsiZulu and IsiXhosa on the website. However, in the event of any inconsistency between the English, Afrikaans, IsiZulu or Xhosa text, the English text prevails.

The department has also extended the period for comment on the Draft Revised General Policy on the Allocation and Management of Fishing Rights from 10 May 10 until 14 June.

The policy applies to the following fishing sectors: Hake Deep Sea Trawl; Hake Inshore Trawl; Horse Mackerel; Small Pelagics; Patagonian Toothfish; South Cost Rock Lobster; KwaZulu-Natal Prawn Trawl; Hake Long Line; West Coast Rock Lobster (Offshore) Squid; Tuna Pole; Seaweed; Shark Demersal; Hake Handline; West Coast Rock Lobster (Near Shore); Oysters; White Mussels; Netfishing; Abalone; Traditional Linefish and fish processing establishments.

The period to comment has also been extended on the Draft Revised Sector Specific Policies on the Allocation and Management of Fishing Rights from 31 May until 14 June at 4pm.

The policies apply to the KwaZulu-Natal Prawl Trawl; Squid; Tuna Pole; Shark Demersal, Oysters; White Mussels; Traditional Linefish and Hake Handline.

Specified fisheries written comments may be submitted by post to the DDG: Fisheries. Attention: R Scott, P/Bag X2, Roggebaai, Cape Town, 8001 or via email; az.vog.ffad@sthgirgnihsif and by telefax +27 (0)21 421 5151.