This week in The Hook, we publish views from Coastal Links members regarding the implementation of the policy and rights allocation.

These views were first published in the October edition of FishersNet. The quarterly publication was distributed to CLSA members who attended the Coastal Links South Africa national workshop held in Cape Town.

The latest Fishers Net focused on the fisheries allocations, cooperatives and gains made by Masifundise in Inland Fisheries.

Fishers make their voices heard on the slow implementation of the Small-Scale Fisheries Policy (SSFP) and the allocation of fishing rights and the implementation of the fishery project at the Vanderkloof Dam.

ISAAK Philander from Laaiplek in the Western Cape

“I am not happy with the allocation of fishing rights that creates uncertainty amongst fishers. DAFF does not know how much fish there is in the sea, they must consult the fishers. We have net-fishers that work on an exemption and line-fishers that are part of Interim Relief (IR). Now we are not certain if the exemption and the IR permits will be re-issued.

Mpendulo Smamane, KwaNzimakhwe, KwazuluNatal

“I would expect that the department gives us all the species that are available on our coastlines, but, I am certain that will not happen. The next best expectation is for the department to give us enough rights to sustain our livelihoods. The thing is, this whole process is confusing and our communities have not been fully involved. Therefore we do not know what to expect. I hope that rights will be allocated accordingly and will bring justice to the fishers”.

Christina Kopano, Mendwana, Eastern Cape

“First of all, I expect that rights allocations should be fair, especially when you think of the many years that we have been denied the right to sell our catches. The department should really look at what is available in our sea and what have we been catching and give us exactly that”.

CLARENCE Oliphant Keurtjieskloof, Northern Cape

“The first phase of the fishery project is going to kick off soon, and I am optimistic about it. I really feel that the community will now develop, unemployment is a huge problem here and with the fishery project, people can now earn money to buy the essential things that they need in order to live.”

 

 

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