A RFA-funded, in-depth study of the most common bycatch species landed by the deep-sea trawling industry has resulted in a three year collaboration, in the form of a signed Fisheries Conservation Project (FCP), between the South African Deep-Sea Trawling Industry Association (SADSTIA) and WWF-SA.

Fish surveys can potentially play an important role in the survival rate of the endangered African penguin. A cost effective tool has been developed to detect their prey, say researchers. This can provide information to inform fishing management decisions affecting these endemic birds.

In March 2014 the RFA agreed to support a project proposal presented by Dr Kevern Cochrane of Rhodes University, seeking to assess how better to reflect an ecosystems approach to fisheries management (EAF) within the key legal instruments that set the ambit for the management the of fisheries sector.