Dear Member
It seems like an eternity since we last sent out a communiqué detailing the activities which we have been focusing our attention on. Truth be told, I am sure that each of you have been as inundated with the magnitude of documents which has circulated over the past few months, requiring review and comment. Rest assured that we have played a pivotal role as your hake longline representatives and duly contributed towards each process as it unfolded.
To this end, we have commented on both the General Policy and proposed amendments to the Marine Living Resources Act, both of which are attached for your perusal. Should you require any further clarity in respect of either document, please feel free to bring this to the Associations attention. We provide hereunder also a brief update of matters as previously reported on. Again should you wish to obtain additional information please let us know.
1. The inaugural meeting of the Employers Organization (AFEO) took place in Cape Town on 7 February 2013. Hake longline is duly represented through this Organization as an active Chamber. Please feel free to contact the Secretary, Frederi Steyn Visser on 0828809183 should you wish to join or obtain further details.
2. A number of meetings were held with the NRCS in respect of the mercury testing in hake protocol for export purposes. Mr. Greg Christie represented the interest of the hake longline sector and is actively involved in these discussions within the special committee appointed.
3. The discussions with WWF in respect of the Fishery Improvement Project continues to move at a satisfactory pace. Spearheaded by Mr. Gastao Fernandes we are at an advanced stage of concluding the Agreement. Your assistance in respect of this matter is now urgently required. An integral part of this Agreement includes the provision of a list of nominated vessels actively involved in the harvesting of hake longline. This list of vessels will be noted within the final signed Agreement as duly participating in the Fishery Improvement Project in conjunction with the Association, WWF and other trade partners. In order for us to present such a list of nominated vessels we now require your vessels details for inclusion into the Agreement. We only need the vessel name, Registration number, name of registered owner and contact details at this stage, and would appreciate it if it can be supplied via return email before the end of next week being Friday 5 July 2013.. We thank you in advance for your co-operation in this matter and welcome any enquiries you may have.
4. We have also had representatives present at the SARS diesel rebate meetings so as to ensure that SARS has the correct insight of how the industry practices its trade. You would have already received an email today in this regard. Please ensure you liaise with your respective representative and revert back as requested in today’s email.
5. Whilst DAFF has amended most of the 2013 permit conditions as requested, we are still in discussion in respect of both the HOG landing issue and transport permits. We envisage to formally raise both of these matters at the Management Working Group meeting for finalisation later this year.
As a result of the on-going matters requiring our urgent attention, we have not had an opportunity to call for a SAHLA AGM. Watch this space as we will be calling for this towards the latter half of the year and trust that this is in order with you.
In ending, we have great pleasure in formally presenting the official South African Hake Longline Association Logo and Letterhead. As a paid up member of SAHLA you will have the right to use this logo on your products when you market both locally and abroad, and we can finally begin issuing the long awaited membership Certificates.