International Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries
On February 1, 2014, The Food & Agricultural Organisation (FAO) started their 2nd round of technical discussion to finalise the International Guidelines on Small-Scale Fisheries. These guidelines will provide critical approaches for how governments should approach the management of the small-scale fishery together with small-scale fishing communities.
In SA our new small-scale fishing policy already incorporates many elements of these International Guidelines. Our Naseegh Jaffer is taking part in these negotiations in Italy. Prior to the start of these negotiations he was part of a meeting of 50 civil society groups from across the world to prepare a global unified position that should be presented during these negotiations.
Phase Out Project- Afrika Kontact Visit
Three representatives from our partner organisation Afrika Kontact (AK) visited the MDT office to discuss and evaluate the partnership that the two organisations have had throughout the years.
In their visit, AK has included a trip to St Helena Bay where they will meet with Christian Adams (chairperson of CLSA) and Neville Luyt (Chairperson of St Helena Bay CLSA Branch) to discuss the involvement of AK in the organisation and possibilities of future cooperation between the organisations.
This visit is part of the National Foot Print Phase Out Project, where AK is assessing the impact and outcomes of the project.
Coastal Links South Africa has once again made a call on the Department of Fisheries to grant an exemption that will allow fishers in KZN and the Eastern Cape to sell their catch.
Currently they are prohibited from doing so, unlike in the Western and Northern Cape where this is permitted. An exemption will allow struggling fishers to generate some income to support their families.
This week Coastal Links SA distributed a media release to reiterate the call for the exemption.
Go to the following link to read the full statement: https://www.masifundise.org/