Tense times in fishing communities
THE Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries came under fire from MPs for failing to address the persistent problems in fishing communities in the Western Cape.
While the EFF, DA and ANC have raised serious questions about the challenges in coastal towns, Senzeni Zokwana, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, said the department had been working on all the challenges.
EFF MP Nazier Paulsen said the department’s officials had no clue about what the issues on the ground was.
“There are communities on the Cape Flats that are losing their livelihoods because of the decisions you make. There are big corporations that are working to get the small-scale fishers out of the industry. This industry has been feeding many families; now because of your decisions people are living in poverty. That is wrong and it needs fixing,” Paulsen said.
Asanda Njobeni, acting chief director in the department, said although the situation with small scale fishers remains difficult, the department will implement its upliftment plans.
“We have observed that there are people who have not been using their rights allocation (permits). There were about 171 permits issued but only 12 used it themselves. So we are now in a process of revoking their rights. There is a willingness in the department to fix the situation. It remains very difficult, but we have to be responsive to the people we serve in these communities,” he said.
Bheki Cele, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, said they will now be working much more closely with the police and South African Navy Forces to combat poaching.
“The police have speed boats and helicopters that can assists us with the poachers. We also need to strike a balance between the environment and the needs of the communities that live in it. There is a dire need to protect our ocean resources but we also need to feed communities because for most the sea is their livelihood,” he said.
After growing tensions within the fishing sector, the Department of Fisheries has established a Fishing Transformation Council and is calling for public nominations for candidates to serve on its newly established council.