Johannesburg — Abalone fishermen in Western Cape have won a reprieve and will be allowed one last season before fishing for wild abalone (perlemoen) is halted on February 1.

Environmental Affairs and Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk denied his decision to allow one last opportunity for the abalone divers was because of the threat of legal action from the Congress of South African Trade Unions and fishing communities whose livelihoods are threatened by the ban.

The ban on harvesting abalone was announced last week after the ban had been given the go-ahead by the cabinet.

It was initially intended to be with immediate effect. This caused an uproar among about 1000 people who earn their living by harvesting abalone.

"Any court challenge to the decision to suspend the fishery would have stood no chance of success and the possibility of court action did not influence my decision to provide an extension," Van Schalkwyk said. He said what did play a role was "the plea from the affected communities for a period of grace". It was an indication of responsive government that such concessions were made where possible.

"I have applied my mind to the numerous pleas regarding the implementation date of the decision. After carefully considering these appeals, I requested the department see if there could be a scientific basis to delay the implementation date of this decision."

The total allowable catch for the three-month grace period will be 75 tons, down from the 125 tons allowed last year. Hardest hit will be Gansbaai fishers who last year had a total allowable catch of 75 tons and now will have to make do with 25 tons.

Van Schalkwyk said that he would make an important announcement today at a conference on subsistence fishing, on the level of support and the resources which the government would make available to create a sustainable aquaculture for abalone. He confirmed in reply to a question that government would make resources available.

He said that for some reason insufficient attention had been given to the creation of aquaculture in the past, possibly because it was never thought that the abalone fishery could be pushed to the verge of collapse and the extinction of the species.

"I remain of the view that the abalone resource is endangered due to ecological changes and poaching. This fishery is in a crisis and should be managed as an emergency."

Van Schalkwyk said there was broad acknowledgment of this .