Out of 3 490 applicants only 600 were successful in acquiring new fishing permits after the deadline expired on 31 December.
In a statement, the DAFF said it’s confident the process has been fair and in line with the relevant laws.
“As the delegated authority of the Fishing Rights Allocation Process , I wish to categorically state that the department has nothing to hide as repeatedly claimed some so-called legal experts and mischievous politicians in the media using our people as fronts to rubbish the department,” said Desmond Stevens, acting DDG of DAFF’s Fisheries Management Branch.