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Cape Town - Woolworths is considering phasing out the sale of West Coast rock lobsters because the shellfish is being depleted, says head of sustainability Justin Smith.
"West Coast rock lobster is a very small product line in our business," said Smith.
"We are looking at phasing out the sale of this product, in discussion with our conservation experts."
The country's rock lobster stocks is facing a bleak future, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) marine manager John Duncan told the Sunday Times.
Smith said the retailer is working on a species by species basis to address seafood on the endangered list.
"Woolworths is passionate about the sustainability of our seafood and has been concerned about the impact of overfishing locally and abroad."
A weekend report inaccurately stated that the retailer is considering to stop stocking crayfish.
Woolworths sells small volumes of crayfish in frozen format at selected stores only .
Fin24 users also added their voice to the debate about poaching.
"Poaching is out of control in many parts of the coast," said user Lourens Du Toit.
Cindz Felix expressed a different view. She said the problem is big business, and not the poachers who have lost their livelihoods.
"Wherever communities have lived sustainably the great big capitalists in the name of progress have impoverished communities.
"At times we need to know when big business will add no value and this is one good example."
Touching in the costs of food, Freddy van Wijk said that lobster is unaffordable to a lot of people.
The recreational fishing season for West Coast rock lobster came to a close on April 1.
West coast rock lobster caught with a recreational permit may not be sold by any person.
The bag limit was set at four rock lobsters per person per day and the size restriction is 80mm carapace length.
According to Stats SA, threatened fish stocks include deep-water hake, sharks, west and south coast rock lobster, tuna abalone, reported BDLive.
The fisheries sector in South Africa is worth around R6bn per annum and directly employs, in the commercial sector, some 27 000 people, the 2012 status of the SA marine resources report showed.
Thousands more and their families depend on these resources for food and the basic needs of life.
- Fin24
"West Coast rock lobster is a very small product line in our business," said Smith.
"We are looking at phasing out the sale of this product, in discussion with our conservation experts."
The country's rock lobster stocks is facing a bleak future, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) marine manager John Duncan told the Sunday Times.
Smith said the retailer is working on a species by species basis to address seafood on the endangered list.
"Woolworths is passionate about the sustainability of our seafood and has been concerned about the impact of overfishing locally and abroad."
A weekend report inaccurately stated that the retailer is considering to stop stocking crayfish.
Woolworths sells small volumes of crayfish in frozen format at selected stores only .
Fin24 users also added their voice to the debate about poaching.
"Poaching is out of control in many parts of the coast," said user Lourens Du Toit.
Cindz Felix expressed a different view. She said the problem is big business, and not the poachers who have lost their livelihoods.
"Wherever communities have lived sustainably the great big capitalists in the name of progress have impoverished communities.
"At times we need to know when big business will add no value and this is one good example."
Touching in the costs of food, Freddy van Wijk said that lobster is unaffordable to a lot of people.
The recreational fishing season for West Coast rock lobster came to a close on April 1.
West coast rock lobster caught with a recreational permit may not be sold by any person.
The bag limit was set at four rock lobsters per person per day and the size restriction is 80mm carapace length.
According to Stats SA, threatened fish stocks include deep-water hake, sharks, west and south coast rock lobster, tuna abalone, reported BDLive.
The fisheries sector in South Africa is worth around R6bn per annum and directly employs, in the commercial sector, some 27 000 people, the 2012 status of the SA marine resources report showed.
Thousands more and their families depend on these resources for food and the basic needs of life.
- Fin24
