Ban on landing fish in Hout Bay lifted

THE ban on commercial fishers landing catches at Hout Bay has been lifted, the Department of Agriculture, Forestries and Fisheries has said, reducing the strain on local fishers who have been forced to launch their boats from other ports.

“Hout Bay harbour is now open for all commercial catch landings. All operations in this regard will resume... (from) Wednesday, August 29,” the department said.

The news comes in the midst of ongoing disputes between Hout Bay fishers. Last week, Ikram Halim was removed from his post as caretaker of the Hangberg Interim Community permit, after associated fishers raised concerns over his management of the permit.

Adding to tensions in Hout Bay is the continued disappearance of fisher Durick Van Blerk, who went missing three weeks ago after he and two others were apparently shot at by police following an alleged attempt to poach crayfish.

Last night, the new Hangberg Interim Community Fishers Board met to discuss their role in abiding by the department’s mandate regarding fishing operations. Outstanding issues from previous seasons, such as the community over-catch of lobster during the interim relief 11 and 12 seasons, have to be addressed.

Commenting on the lifting of the ban on commercial catch landings in Hout Bay, the chairperson of the Hangberg board, Michael Baartman, said: “This is very exciting news. Due to the harbour being closed, fishermen, business owners and fish workers had to spend extra money to trade or get to work. With this ban lifted, those affected can once again save money and continue work as usual.”

In response to the issues affecting authorised Hout Bay fishers, department spokesperson Khaye Nkwanyana said the department aimed to implement a small-scale fisheries policy, to enable ports such as Hout Bay to benefit from fishing in the future.

“The department’s strategic objective is to implement the smallscale fisheries policy, in order to provide the legal framework and recognition to traditional fishers from these marginalised fishing communities,” Nkwanyana said.

“Interim relief was never a permanent solution and hence it will cease to exist once the SSF (small-scale fisheries) rights are allocated.”