After the previous fishing season and the over fishing that occurred, there is a risk that the oceans of AquaWaves may run out of fish stocks. This is concerning to all fishing businesses as well as the economy as a whole. The President has implemented the Anchovy Protection Act of 2020 with immediate effect. The implementation of this act aims to avoid the total collapse of the fishing industry and to buy enough time for the Inter-Ministerial Task Force to find a solution that ensures the long term sustainability of the fishing industry. The Act limits the fleet size of each fishing company to 10 ships. The Act also shortened the 2020 fishing season to just 2 months.
OUR PLAN TO IMPLEMENT THE ANCHOVY PROTECTION ACT OF 2020
Through communication with the government, we were aware that a law like this may come into place. As anticipated, this will have a huge impact on the profitability of Anchor Management Limited and there is a fear amongst the fisherman that they may lose their jobs. The following measures have been put in place to comply with the law and to reduce the fear among our fishermen:
- Anchor Management Limited will limit our fleet size to no more than 10 ships throughout the duration of the 2020 fishing season. Our fishing season will consist of only 2 months.
- Throughout these 2 months, our fishermen will fish with caution. This includes not overfishing and creating no waste.
- Company management is in negotiations with trade unions and fishing crews. We are trying to do our best to ensure that all our workers are taken care of. It might mean that some our crew will have to perform other duties in the warehouses.
HOW DID THIS AFFECT OUR FISHING SEASONS?
FIRST FISHING SEASON
Throughout the first fishing season, there were no regulations. This meaning there were no limits on fleet sizes as well as no specified length for the fishing season. The season began with ownership of 3 ships. This number steadily increased through purchases of new and auctioned ships. Our fleet reached a maximum of 45 ships in trip 8. As mentioned before, our management was aware that a law may be put in place in order to save the fish stock in the oceans of AquaWaves. Thus, we sold 23 of our ships, leaving a fleet of 22 ships at the end of the season. In terms of fishing, ships were sent out for 9 out of the 11 trips. During these trips, there were no controls in place and as many as 45 ships were sent out at a time. Our highest total catch was 289 fish in trip 5 and lowest total catch was 20 fish in trip 7. In saying that, 4 out of the 11 trips resulted in no fish being caught. In the final 3 trips of the season, absolutely no anchovy was caught. In trip 8, 45 ships left the harbour and nothing was caught. Similarly, in period 9, 22 ships were sent out and nothing was caught. At the end of this fishing season, there was a loss of R42 239.
SECOND FISHING SEASON
Throughout the second fishing season, there were regulations set in place by the government. This meant a maximum of 10 ships and a 2-month fishing season. We started the season with ownership of 1 ship. This number steadily increased through purchases of new ships and auctions. Our fleet reached a maximum of 10 ships in trip 7. Ships were sent out for all 11 fishing opportunities. During these periods, a maximum of 10 ships were sent out at a time. Our highest total catch was 41 fish in trip 6. In saying that, only one of the 11 trips resulted in no fish being caught. A total of 4 fish were caught in the first period, being the lowest amount of anchovy caught for the season. The amount caught per a period steadily increased and reached a consistent level between 30 – 36 fish per trip. This constant was achieved in the last 6 trips. At the end of the fishing season, there was a loss of R16 652.
COMPARISON OF THE 2 SEASONS
Upon comparison of the two fishing seasons, it is evident that the second season resulted in fewer expenses as there were less ships to fund. However, due to the same reason, less revenue was bought in. In terms of the fish, there was no consistency in the first season, our catch started at 55 fish in the first trip, peaked at 289 in the fifth trip and drop down significantly to 20 fish in the seventh trip. This indicates unsustainable fishing practices and led to the overfishing of AquaWaves. The fish stocks for the second season were still recovering, our total catch started at 4 fish in the first trip, steadily increased to 41 in trip 6 and took a slight dip to 30 in trip 10. This shows more consistent numbers and indicates that the fish stock is recovering.
VHBJN
REVIEW ON OUR IMPLEMENTATION
Anchor Management Limited has done its’ best to comply with the new Act. Throughout the duration of the second fishing season, the size of our fleet did not pass 10 ships. Our fishing season still consisted of 11 trips but was only over a period of 2 months. Seeing the damage that unregulated fishing activities had on the oceans of AquaWaves, us as a company realise how heavily our operations impact the environment. We are determined to make our fishing more sustainable and are dedicated to finding new improved ways to conduct our operations. Our director, Paul, has joined the Inter-Ministerial Task Force to help find a solution to ensure that the fish stock of AquaWaves has the ability to survive in the long term.
Anchor Management Ltd. 