IZIZINDA ZOKUDOBELA UKUZIPHILISA – ZABANTU NEMVELO

This fact sheet from WWF South Africa describes the establishment and purpose of Small-Scale Fisheries Zones (SSFZs) to support coastal communities and marine biodiversity. It outlines the legal framework, the role of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), and the benefits of co-management for both people and nature.

• Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) were officially recognized by the government in February 2012 as a sector for community fishers who rely on the ocean for food and livelihoods. This sector is identified as the most vulnerable among all fishing categories due to limited employment opportunities, lack of secondary education, declining marine resources, and restricted market access.
• Small-Scale Fisheries Zones (SSFZs) are designated marine areas intended to prioritize and protect the livelihoods of coastal communities. While provided for under the Marine Living Resources Act 18 of 1998 (MLRA), they are currently described as concepts without significant progress, with operational steps still under development.
• The implementation of SSFZs aims to align with the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) '30x30' goal, which seeks to protect 30% of the global land and sea by February 2030. SSFZs can be recognized as Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs), balancing nature conservation with community livelihoods.
• SSFZs operate through a co-management framework involving small-scale fishers and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE). Fishers are expected to lead in decision-making, act as liaisons with government, report illegal activities, and help develop management rules such as seasonal closures and gear restrictions.

APA

WWF South Africa (2026). IZIZINDA ZOKUDOBELA UKUZIPHILISA – ZABANTU NEMVELO. https://wwfafrica.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/ssfz-factsheet-zulu-web_4jun26.pdf

Chicago

WWF South Africa. IZIZINDA ZOKUDOBELA UKUZIPHILISA – ZABANTU NEMVELO. 2026. https://wwfafrica.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/ssfz-factsheet-zulu-web_4jun26.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=WWF South Africa |title=IZIZINDA ZOKUDOBELA UKUZIPHILISA – ZABANTU NEMVELO |date=2026 |url=https://wwfafrica.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/ssfz-factsheet-zulu-web_4jun26.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wwfsouthafrica2026izizinda, author = {{WWF South Africa}}, title = {{IZIZINDA ZOKUDOBELA UKUZIPHILISA – ZABANTU NEMVELO}}, institution = {WWF South Africa}, year = {2026}, url = {https://wwfafrica.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/ssfz-factsheet-zulu-web_4jun26.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }