Towards effective monitoring, control and surveillance policy and implementation in South Africa and its relevance to other Southern African States

Abstract

The responsibility of Fisheries Governance Authorities (FGAs) is to ensure that there is sustainable utilisation and exploitation of marine living resources through effective Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS). MCS is a mechanism used to implement agreed policies, plans and strategies for oceans and fisheries governance, and it is key to their successful implementation. In the continent, the African Union (AU), through its agencies, economic and regional structures encourage and supports national and regional MCS programs. South Africa is a SADC coastal State with a fisheries governance branch mandated to ensure sustainable marine living resources’ utilisation with support from a national MCS program. This support depends on the effectiveness of the current national MCS organisational structure, capacity, legislative and policy framework, as well as regional cooperation. In addition to an extensive literature review, this study developed a MCS framework, following international fisheries legislation and guidelines, for testing the South African MCS’ conformity to such a model. Furthermore, Namibia and Mozambique were included as examples of SADC coastal States to determine their responsiveness to regional cooperation and coordination. Based on the framework, a questionnaire with four parts, Part A: Background Information; Part B: Evaluation of MCS Enablers; Part C: Evaluation of an MCS system process and its effectiveness – reactive approach; and Part D: - proactive approach was developed to collect information. The data was analysed, using appropriate statistical methods to determine, against set characteristics, the level of information that the government respondents could provide to the research topic, and to determine the effectiveness of the South African MCS program. Limited information from Namibia and Mozambique showed readiness in their respective MCS programs for a regional MCS integrated approach, as is the case with South Africa, but there is no serious engagement to implement any regional MCS program. Results showed that the South African MCS program's effectiveness is generally adequate, but there are challenges with planning; financial resources; MCS equipment; stakeholder engagement processes, and governance. A primary recommendation from this study was that business plans, as utilised in the private sector, should be developed by South African Fisheries Governance Authority (FGA) to address MCS governance shortcomings as revealed by this study. A reconfiguration of the MCS organisational structure to include a resource mobilisation unit is considered necessary to effect the much needed improvements.Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Geography, 202