TRANSNET National Ports Authority (TNPA), Port of Durban has officially issued the first 100 fishing permits and elated fishermen took the opportunity to cast their lines into the designated South Pier waters this week.
“The Port of Durban was pleased to witness the first fishermen back within the Port after several years, since the harbour was closed to fishing,” said Captain Dennis Mqadi the Port’s harbour master.
TNPA, together with the Subsistence Fishers Forum, have been working around the clock to ensure that fishermen were issued their permits since the weekend. Over the next few weeks, it is expected that thousands of permit applicants will receive their much anticipated access to the South Pier (south breakwater) at the foot of the Bluff.
The permit application forms that have been submitted by the local fishing community undergo a stringent vetting process for safety purposes, before the TNPA Permit Office can grant access.
“TNPA and the Subsistence Fishers Forum formed a joint working committee in December 2012 to foster good relations and govern decision making. This committee has been instrumental in formulating guidelines for the vetting processes,” he added.
“Although certain areas along the South Pier have been opened to permit holders, the North Pier and surrounding areas will remain closed to the public. All ports within the South African Ports system, subscribe to the International Ship and Port Security Code and this code will remain in place at the Port of Durban,” concluded Mqadi.
Applicants interested in finding out the status of their permits can contact the Subsistence Fishers Forum via Mr Desmond D’sa on 083 982 6939.
Contact Finola, communications officer for Transnet, on 031 361 8814 or email: Finola.Quarsingh@transnet.net
