SISEBENZELA UKUBA NAMALWANDLE ASEMPILWENI KUNYE NENDLELA ZOKUZIPHILISA EZINGAPHELELWAYO KULUNTU OLUHLALA NGASELUNXWEMENI

This fact sheet by WWF South Africa describes Small-Scale Fishing Zones (SSFZs) as a mechanism to protect the livelihoods of coastal communities and preserve marine biodiversity in South Africa. It outlines the legal framework, the role of co-operatives, and the potential for these zones to contribute to global conservation targets like the '30x30' goal through the recognition of Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs).

• Small-Scale Fishing Zones (SSFZs) are designated marine areas intended to prioritize small-scale fishing practices, thereby protecting the livelihoods of coastal communities. While provided for under the Marine Living Resources Act 18 of 1998 (MLRA), these zones often remain conceptual, and practical steps for their establishment are currently being developed.
• The small-scale fishing (SSF) business sector is the most vulnerable part of South Africa's marine fishing industry. Coastal communities often face a lack of alternative employment and higher education, leaving them heavily dependent on declining marine resources for food and income, while facing limited market access and competition.
• SSFZs are managed through a co-management system involving small-scale fishers, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), and other stakeholders. This approach allows fishers to participate in decision-making at the community level regarding the management of their natural resources.
• The establishment of SSFZs can contribute to the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) '30x30' target, which aims to protect 30% of the world's land and sea by 2030. By being recognized as Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs), SSFZs can balance community livelihoods with the protection of marine biodiversity.
• WWF South Africa supports coastal communities by implementing pilot projects for coastal and marine restoration and assisting in the establishment and coordination of co-operatives to identify sustainable activities that benefit both the community and local biodiversity.

APA

WWF South Africa (2026). SISEBENZELA UKUBA NAMALWANDLE ASEMPILWENI KUNYE NENDLELA ZOKUZIPHILISA EZINGAPHELELWAYO KULUNTU OLUHLALA NGASELUNXWEMENI. https://wwfafrica.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/ssfz-factsheet-xhosa-web_4jun26.pdf

Chicago

WWF South Africa. SISEBENZELA UKUBA NAMALWANDLE ASEMPILWENI KUNYE NENDLELA ZOKUZIPHILISA EZINGAPHELELWAYO KULUNTU OLUHLALA NGASELUNXWEMENI. 2026. https://wwfafrica.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/ssfz-factsheet-xhosa-web_4jun26.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=WWF South Africa |title=SISEBENZELA UKUBA NAMALWANDLE ASEMPILWENI KUNYE NENDLELA ZOKUZIPHILISA EZINGAPHELELWAYO KULUNTU OLUHLALA NGASELUNXWEMENI |date=2026 |url=https://wwfafrica.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/ssfz-factsheet-xhosa-web_4jun26.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wwfsouthafrica2026sisebenzela, author = {{WWF South Africa}}, title = {{SISEBENZELA UKUBA NAMALWANDLE ASEMPILWENI KUNYE NENDLELA ZOKUZIPHILISA EZINGAPHELELWAYO KULUNTU OLUHLALA NGASELUNXWEMENI}}, institution = {WWF South Africa}, year = {2026}, url = {https://wwfafrica.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/ssfz-factsheet-xhosa-web_4jun26.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }