SOUTH AFRICA'S OFFSHORE LIVING MARINE RESOURCES: THE SCIENTIFIC BASIS FOR MANAGEMENT OF THE FISHERIES

SUMMARY

South Africa's offshore living marine resources are commercially the most valuable of its renewable marine resources. They are herein defined as the demersal, pelagic and squid fisheries. Reviews are given of the fisheries and the focus research has taken since Gilchrist's days, with accent on the present situation and understanding. Progress has not always been smooth, but many of the developments in research on offshore living resources have placed South Africa at the forefront of fisheries management. Looking to the future, options are explored and likely scenarios generated. Certain is the fact that management of the offshore living marine resources has been and will continue to be exciting and, to some extent, even controversial.