WWF South Africa has launched a campaign calling on consumers to skip the kreef this
summerrdquo;, as this popular seafood treat has now moved onto the Red list of the
Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative (SASSI).
The SASSI list is a traffic-light system that helps consumers make sustainable
seafood choices: Green is best choicerdquo;, Orange is think twicerdquo; and Red is don't
buyrdquo;.
WWF has warned that the West Coast Rock Lobster (Jasus lalandii), commonly known
as kreef, could disappear from menus altogether within the next five years unless radical
action is taken to save the fishery.
The Skip the kreef this summerrdquo; campaign follows an outcry over the
government's recent announcement of an unchanged Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for kreef
this season. With only 2% of original stock remaining, the species has gone into a
precipitous decline due to illegal fishing and poor management of the fishery.
To raise awareness, WWF has launched a digital campaign asking consumers to avoid
eating kreef, as they would any other SASSI Red-listed species. The campaign is aimed at
mobilising consumers and getting them to use their buying power and voices to help this
species and the fishers who depend on it for their livelihoods.
In addition, a coalition of fishers and WWF have co-signed an open letter to the
Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Senzeni Zokwana calling for a radical
rethink of how the West Coast Rock Lobster resource is managed in the interests of
everyone involved in the industry.
WWF-SASSI Manager Pavitray Pillay commented: This is a fishery in crisis and we
need real leadership to turn it around. Consumers have a key role to play in supporting
legitimate fishers and demanding change through their buying practices.rdquo;
WWF marine scientist Jessica Greenstone said, If we can't change the trends, a
viable commercial West Coast Rock Lobster fishery within the next five years is unlikely.
This has implications for both our marine ecosystems, in which kreef play a key role, and
the communities that rely on them for their livelihoods. This is why the coalition, which
includes fisher organisations, is urging government to take immediate action for more
effective management.rdquo;
Source: World Wildlife Fund (WWF).