Fisherfolk welcome unbanning of subsistence fishing under level 3

THE South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) and its affiliate, the KZN Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum (KZNSSFF), have welcomed Minister Barbara Creecy’s announcement that subsistence fishing has been unbanned.

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On Monday Creecy confirmed in a statement that all fishing, including recreational fishing, is permitted under level 3 regulations, with the exception of charter fishing.

She said fishers should ensure they have a valid permit and would be expected to adhere to all regulations relating to social distancing, health protocols, movement and the prohibition of groups and gatherings.

Desmond D’Sa from SDCEA said since the beginning of the lockdown in South Africa, subsistence fishers have been struggling to provide for their families.

Small scale and commercial fisheries were given permission to fish during the lockdown, however the subsistence fishers of KZN do not fall under the authority of small scale cooperatives and were therefore left out of the process.

“The SDCEA and KZNSSFF condemned this action because it was biased and unjust considering that subsistence fishers fall under the food sector which was deemed as an essential service. SDCEA and the KZNSSFF tried to lift the ban and get assistance for over 12 000 subsistence fishers in KZN,” said D’Sa.

“There have been meetings with MEC Nomsa Dube and other MECs including Members of Parliament to assist with lifting of the fishing ban. SDCEA also sent out numerous letters to the presidency, COGTA and to the Premier’s office to try and resolve this matter. Our press statements were sent to all media houses stating that hunger was increasing because of the ban on a select group of fisherfolk who have been deprived of putting food on the table for their families. Through the assistance of the Cooperative and Policy Alternative Center (COPAC) and the South African Food Sovereignty Campaign we were able to partake in webinar discussing the Worsening Food Crisis on SABC News,” he said.

During this period of negotiation, D’Sa said there were threats of intimidation and arrest of the chairperson of the KZNSSFF.

“There have also been remarks made by the elite fishing boat owners about the validity of the subsistence fishing in Durban. Many Asian trawlers have been spotted along the coast emptying the ocean during this time, yet when South Africans want to legally make a living, it becomes a bureaucracy issue. This lockdown portrayed the actual marginalisation that black subsistence fishers have been facing for many years.

“The KZNSFF have worked tirelessly, not only during this lockdown period but for many years, trying to change policies, open piers, fighting off restrictions and ostracism. It is a shame that some people who cannot prove their credentials for fighting for the downtrodden fisherfolk, suddenly want to put their views, voices and false information in claiming they represent the poor by signing petitions which got nowhere,” said D’Sa.

He said while the ban has been lifted the groups eagerly await for legislation to be gazetted which allows subsistence fishers to fish under level 3 lockdown.

“More details on the directions are contained in the Government Gazette that will be published this week and we recommend that the public await publication of these directions. We will build a united KZN Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum for our people who know our agendas and won’t be fooled,” said Riaz Khan, Chairperson of the KZNSFF.

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