Another year is almost past and before moving on we at Dawsons thought it appropriate to give a brief review of what 2011 brought to us and what 2012 may have in store.

On the 30th November 2011 our firm celebrated its 15th birthday with a cocktail party for clients at the Granger Bay Hotel School. It was a beautiful evening and those who attended enjoyed a memorable occasion.

Historically, there is a common practice within the fishing industry that skippers on fishing vessels act as independent contractors whilst rendering their service to the vessel owner. As a result of this it has been assumed that between skipper and owner the relationship is not that of an employer/employee.

It is with pride that the board of directors and staff at Dawson Edwards and Associates announce that as of the 1st of October 2011 the firm has been practicing for 15 years. A birthday celebration is being planned and will be announced to clients, colleagues and acquaintances shortly.

Since the submission of comments by interested and affected parties in early November 2010 there has been little progress in the development of the proposed policy for the Small-Scale Fisheries sector.