Fisherfolk shocked at new fishing policy

FISHERFOLK in Durban reclaimed their right to access North Pier at Durban Beachfront on Sunday. But they were  shocked to learn that the Small Scale Fishing Policy currently being developed by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries will regulate their access to fishing areas.

This legislation will have a significant impact on the more than 12 000 Durban fishers and their families at a time when unemployment and poverty lead many to seek sustenance from the sea.

This emerged at a meeting  held on Sunday to inform the community of a recent meeting with the harbour master and security cluster representative, Alex Miya, where he tabled a proposal to open the North Pier and area south of the pier, known as Lucky Dip, to fishing for a trial period of three months, .

The fisherfolk were also informed that, according to Transnet head, Mdu Ndlovu, 2 000 port access permit application forms were currently available at the Transnet offices at 45 Winder Street and would be processed in April.

At the meeting, chairman of the KwaZulu-Natal Subsistence Fishermen Forum (KZNSFF), Essop Mohammed, said: “Most fisherfolk are pensioners, unemployed or poor and should be allowed unhindered access to fishing areas to feed their families and for recreation. The commitment made by Alex Miya to allow access to Durban Harbour for the enjoyment of everyone must be implemented as a matter of urgency.”

The meeting and agreement by Miya follows the issuing of 8 000 Transnet access permits to fishing areas in Durban Harbour, South Pier, the harbour side of South Pier, Grunter Gully, Wilson’s Wharf, the Bat Centre, North Pier and Lucky Dip. The balance of outstanding permit applications will be delivered to Transnet’s offices once the process, agreed to by all stakeholders, recommences.

Mohammed said the KZNSFF and fisherfolk looked forward to the rapid conclusion of these outstanding issues as per the Port Regulator’s directive at a 2010 meeting with Transnet.

“It is also indicated that, if need be, the implementation may have to be made by order of the Port Regulator. In the meantime, we at KZNSFF emphasise that fishermen should not be treated as criminals, and we request that the SAPS does not harass legitimate, permit-holding fishermen who comply with fishing regulations,” he said.

 Desmond D’Sa of the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) announced that the organisation had commissioned research into the challenges currently facing subsistence fishermen. He stated that the outcomes aimed to inform measures that would benefit all parties as well as dispel misconceptions regarding the subsistence fishing community. All fishermen were urged to participate in this valuable research.

D’Sa said: “The SDCEA will continue to add voice and support to the Durban fisherfolks’ struggle for free access to all beachfront fishing areas and for the livelihoods of poor people to be prioritised over the interests of the rich.”

Concerns regarding the uncontrolled plunder of east coast fish stocks by Chinese and other foreign trawlers were also raised. Many felt that this was having a disastrous impact on local fishing – particularly on species such as sardines, as well as other species that closely follow the shoals, some of which are highly endangered.

Objections were also raised concerning the irresponsible actions of other beach users, such as spear fishermen.

The fisherfolk present were also shocked to learn that the Small Scale Fishing Policy currently being developed by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries will regulate their access to fishing areas. This legislation will have a significant impact on the more than 12 000 Durban fishermen and their families at a time when unemployment and poverty lead many to seek sustenance from the sea.

The KZNSFF felt subsistence fisherfolks’ participation in the drafting of this new policy was therefore imperative.