The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Willie Aucamp, has announced the designated recreational fishing dates for the 2025-’26 West Coast Rock Lobster season, providing clarity for thousands of recreational fishers planning their harvesting activities.
The approved fishing dates are scheduled across three months: 20, 21, 27 and 28 December 2025, 3, 4, 24, 25 and 31 January 2026, 1 February 2026 and 21 and 22 March 2026. “These dates have been finalised following a thorough and science-based assessment to ensure that recreational opportunities are balanced with the long-term sustainability of our marine resources,” Aucamp stated.
The department’s selection process considered multiple factors critical to marine conservation and fisher safety. The timing takes into account the West Coast Rock Lobster breeding season, alignment with weekends and public holidays during the festive period, and low-tide periods that maximise safe harvesting conditions. The strategic scheduling reflects the government’s commitment to evidence-based fisheries management while accommodating recreational fishing traditions during peak holiday periods.
Recreational fishers must comply with comprehensive regulations to ensure sustainable harvesting. Fishing is strictly prohibited on all dates not included in the announced schedule, and participants must hold valid recreational permits available through South African Post Office or the department’s e-permitting platform at https://www.fishing.dffe.gov.za. The regulations also enforce specific bag and size limits designed to support stock recovery and maintain harvesting within sustainable thresholds.
“Responsible recreational harvesting today safeguards the ecological integrity of our marine ecosystems and secures this heritage resource for generations to come,” Aucamp emphasised, thanking stakeholders for their patience during the finalisation and gazetting process. The announcement provides recreational fishers with advance notice to plan their activities while reinforcing the government’s priority of balancing public access with long-term resource sustainability.
