This information sheet is published every Wednesday and distributed via our database, our website and social media. It provides information on the work of Masifundise Development Trust (MDT) and Coastal Links South Africa (CLSA).
New Minister and Deputy must give urgent attention to the implementation of the small-scale fisheries (SSF) policy
Masifundise Development Trust and Coastal Links South Africa, representing 4 000 small-scale fishers from around the country, have welcomed the appointment of a new Minister and Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
In a media statement, MDT and CLSA said:
“We wish Senzeni Zokwana and Bheki Cele well and hope that they will successfully meet the critical challenges facing them. We want to urge them to pay special attention to the implementation of the small-scale fisheries (SSF) policy which has been shaped to bring sustainable livelihoods to fishing communities.”
“The SSF policy is the result of sustained struggles by fishers and an order by the Equality Court in 2006. It has taken years to go through the formulation and legislative processes and so it is imperative that the implementation process is undertaken with huge urgency.”
“The quality of lives of small-scale fishers and fishing communities depend on it. We are ready to work with the Ministers and the Department to ensure that this process is successfully undertaken and concluded.”
Getting ready for Fishers Net
The communication unit is preparing the first issue of Fishers Net for the year 2014. The publication with the main focus on Small-Scale Fishing Policy Handbook, ocean grabbing and the World of Forum for Fisher People (WFFP) general assembly, is expected to be ready and distributed in the second week of June.
Noting a number of achievements for the small-scale fisheries sector, like the signing of the MLRA Amendmend Bill by the president, the launch of the Handbook and preparation of the implementation of the policy, this first edition looks at activities of the organisation starting from the beginning of the year until May.
The publication will be distributed to more than 100 fishing communities across the country and will also be available on the MDT website and on social media.
Three more editions of Fishers Net will appear during 2014 – in July, September and November. Fishers Net is produced in English, isiXhosa, isiZulu and Afrikaans.
Read previous Fishers Nets here: https://www.masifundise.org/fishersne