To: All media
Issued by: Masifundise Development Trust
Date: 22 April 2025
Subject: Masifundise and Coastal Links’ online launch of the South Africa Fisher People Tribunal Jury Verdict
On 12-14 August 2024, Masifundise and Coastal Links, hosted the Fisher People’s Tribunal, this event marked the first People’s Tribunal in South Africa focused on fisherfolks and their communities. The Fisher People’s Tribunal Hearings took place over 3 days where fisher representatives from 5 provinces, experts, civil society organisations, allies and activists gathered to address the urgent issues facing coastal and inland fishing communities.
The tribunal documented and exposed instances of ocean and land grabbing, and the violations of fishing communities’ human rights. Six cases were presented to a jury of experts through charge sheets, fisher testimonies, Q&A sessions and additional evidence. Leading up to the Tribunal, hundreds of fishers from both coastal and inland communities contributed to shaping the process, sharing their experiences, helping document violations, and testifying with courage during the hearings. Coastal Links, the national fisher movement in South Africa, played a key role in identifying critical issues and coordinating community participation.
The cases presented at the Fisher People Tribunal revealed the systemic challenges facing fishing communities in South Africa. Central among these were the failure to implement human rights-based policies, such as the Small-Scale Fisheries Policy, and the impacts of extractivism, exclusionary conservation models, pollution, and climate change. These challenges are deeply affecting fishers’ access to resources, livelihoods, cultural heritage and ways of life.
The Jury Panel selected for the Fisher People Tribunal included a diverse range of experts, namely:
- Andy Johnston, South African fisher and activist, former Director of the Artisanal Fisher Association and founding member of the World Forum of Fisher Peoples (WFFP).
- Emeritus Professor Ben Cousins, Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies (PLAAS), University of the Western Cape.
- Gianni Tognoni, General Secretary of the Permanent Peoples Tribunal.
- Makoma Lekalakala, Director of EarthLife Africa, Commissioner on the South Africa’s Presidential Climate Commission, Goldman Environmental Prize for Africa (2018).
- Miloon Kothari, Independent Expert on Human Rights and Social Policy, former UN Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing, UN Human Rights Council.
- Professor Uche Ewelukwa Ofodile, School of Law, University of Arkansas, UN Human Right Council, Working Group on the Rights of Peasants and Other People (UNROP).
The jury listened to the testimonies and reviewed detailed charge sheets and case report evidence with the aim of producing a strong verdict that honours the courage of the fishers who spoke out and presents key recommendations to protect their rights, ensure justice and address the urgent threats facing coastal and inland fishing communities.
Masifundise and Coastal links invites you to the official launch of the South Africa Fisher People Tribunal Jury Verdict. The verdict will be presented by members of the Jury, followed by responses and reflections from coastal and inland fishers and discussions on the key recommendations of the verdict and the path forward.
Date: Wednesday, 23 April 2025
Time: 3PM SAST
Join here: https://eu01web.zoom.us/j/68566265088?pwd=820mj1qK0voIn43SQJ8DOdaeOB9KnM.1
Download the full media release here