Fisherfolk welcome unbanning of subsistence fishing

THE ban on subsistence fishing has been lifted and after over two hard months, fisherfolk have reason to dust off their rods.

The minister of the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Barbara Creecy announced in a statement the guidelines for the fisheries sector under level three.  “All fishing, including recreational fishing, is permitted with the exception of charter fishing. Fishers must ensure that they have a valid permit. All regulations relating to social distancing, health protocols, movement and the prohibition of groups and gatherings apply,” confirmed the statement.

This comes as good news to the thousands of local fisherfolk who had been struggling to provide for their families, since lockdown was first imposed in the country in March. 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 South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) and its affiliate the KZN Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum (KZNSSFF) condemned this action because it was biased and unjust considering that subsistence fisher’s fall under the food sector which was deemed as an essential service.

SDCEA coordinator Desmond D’sa said that the environmental alliance together with the KZNSSFF tried to lift the ban and get assistance for over 12000 subsistence fishers in KZN. “There have been countless emails sent to the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries and engagement with Creecy. There have been meetings with MEC Nomsa Dube and other MECs including members of parliament to assist with lifting of the fishing ban. SDCEA sent out numerous letters to the presidency, COGTA and to the Premiers 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 these periods of negotiations there have also been threats of intimidation and arrest of the chairperson of the KZNSSFF, Riaz Khan as previously reported in the SUN.

The KZNSFF has worked tirelessly, not only during this lockdown period but for many years, trying to change policies, open piers, fighting off restrictions and ostracism. “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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