Desperate small-scale fishermen from across the Eastern Cape have begged government to fast-track implementing new legislation to award fishing rights.
They told the parliamentary portfolio committee on agriculture, forestry and fisheries in a no-holds-barred meeting at Silaka Nature Reserve in Port St Johns they were “dying of hunger”.
The committee is in the province to visit and learn about several projects in the agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries sectors.
During Tuesday’s meeting, members of the committee led by chairwoman Machwene Rosina Semenya were told how small-scale farmers were battling to make ends meet.
Some fishermen claimed they were hamstrung by government legislation which prevented them from selling anything they caught in the ocean.
They also berated government for relying on information by scientists at the expense of indigenous knowledge from traditional fishing communities themselves.
“Our value as traditional fishing communities has been undermined,” said Lulamile Ponono, a fisherman from Chebe in Centane who is also a member of Coastal Link, a fishing organisation active in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, the Northern Cape and the Western Cape.
He complained they were being issued with permits that only allowed for subsistence fishing.
“We can’t even sell some of what we catch from the seas for a profit,” said Ponono.
Malibongwe Gongqose, a fisherman from Cwebe/Dwesa near Elliotdale, accused government of establishing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
“People who grew up making a living from fishing found themselves being shot on their own land by government officials guarding these areas,” said Gongqose.
“What is worse is that people were never consulted.”
But Craig Smith, national director for small-scale fisheries management in the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, said the establishment of MPAs was necessary if the country was serious about protecting its marine resources. — sikhon@dispatch.co.za
Hurry up with permits, hungry fishermen beg
They told the parliamentary portfolio committee on agriculture, forestry and fisheries in a no-holds-barred meeting at Silaka Nature Reserve in Port St Johns they were “dying of hunger”.
The committee is in the province to visit and learn about several projects in the agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries sectors.
During Tuesday’s meeting, members of the committee led by chairwoman Machwene Rosina Semenya were told how small-scale farmers were battling to make ends meet.
Some fishermen claimed they were hamstrung by government legislation which prevented them from selling anything they caught in the ocean.
They also berated government for relying on information by scientists at the expense of indigenous knowledge from traditional fishing communities themselves.
“Our value as traditional fishing communities has been undermined,” said Lulamile Ponono, a fisherman from Chebe in Centane who is also a member of Coastal Link, a fishing organisation active in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, the Northern Cape and the Western Cape.
He complained they were being issued with permits that only allowed for subsistence fishing.
“We can’t even sell some of what we catch from the seas for a profit,” said Ponono.
Malibongwe Gongqose, a fisherman from Cwebe/Dwesa near Elliotdale, accused government of establishing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
“People who grew up making a living from fishing found themselves being shot on their own land by government officials guarding these areas,” said Gongqose.
“What is worse is that people were never consulted.”
But Craig Smith, national director for small-scale fisheries management in the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, said the establishment of MPAs was necessary if the country was serious about protecting its marine resources. — sikhon@dispatch.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos