Concern over marine management changes

THE recent announcement that the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) has decided to withdraw Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife‘s coastal management contract, has received much attention.

But how will it affect Zululand’s coastline?

For decades, Ezemvelo has managed KZN’s coastline, a crucial service in light of the steady increase in poaching, and the announcement to withdraw its contract, seemingly without a backup plan, has caused much concern in the conservation fraternity.

‘The implications are pretty serious. KZN probably has the best coastal monitoring system in the country and if this now goes over to fisheries, I fear we will lose that,’ said Judy Mann, Conservation Strategist for the SA Association for Marine and Biological Research.

Other skeptics, including the DA’s Anne McDonnell, KZN Spokesperson on Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, are convinced the move is a political one ahead of the forthcoming local elections.

A senior official in national government allegedly visited KZN and expressed ‘horror’ at the fishing restrictions imposed on coastal communities.

Ezemvelo Spokesperson Musa Mntambo declined to comment, saying it is a DAFF issue.

iSimangaliso Wetland Park’s Commercial Director, Terri Castis, said, ‘iSimangaliso’s understanding, following discussions with the Department of Environmental Affairs, is that this action on the part of DAFF applies to areas outside of protected areas.

‘Ezemvelo will continue to do compliance in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park’.

Fishermen pleased

Meanwhile, small-scale fishers have, in recent years, been campaigning for such a move, citing an unfair permit-controlled system and heavy-handed treatment by Ezemvelo officers.

Fishermen marched through Mtubatuba on Human Rights Day in 2014 to highlight their stance.

Masifundise Development Trust together with Coastal Links, the conduit through which small-scale fishers air their concerns, has therefore welcomed the decision.

‘Time and again our fishers have complained about Ezemvelo and how they have been treated,’ said Lindani Ngubane, a Masifundise fieldworker in uMkhanyakude.

‘We have organised marches and spoken to the minister and the municipality about the treatment of our people’.

Mr Shezi, fisher and Chairperson of Coastal Links SA in KZN, said that if this was a political move, it was not a bad one but it is sad if such decisions are taken only to gain votes.

‘I have to say, the government should not make life changing decisions only when they are rigging for votes.

‘We only hope this decision was made because the government listened to our cries and supports the struggle of the fisherman’.

DAFF could not be reached for comment and has failed to provide reasons for the move.