Delay irks perlemoen fishermen

THE Eastern Cape small-scale fishermen allocated a R27.3-million formal commercial wild perlemoen harvest quota in January will have to be criminally vetted before getting permits.

This comes after the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) once again reneged on its promise to issue exemption permits to the fishermen.

The department had promised to issue permits last Friday, but DAFF marine resources management acting chief director Asanda Njobeni said the fishermen must now be criminally vetted first.

“We were advised that, as per the requirements of the enabling legislation, all the beneficiaries of the permit needed to be vetted to ensure that no beneficiary has a record that transgresses the Marine Living Resources Act,” he said.

The delay has angered some of the 200 members affiliated to the Eastern Cape Divers and Fishers Forum (ECDFF).

ECDFF general secretary Bishop Meyer said the department had constantly shifted the goal posts regarding the dates of permit allocations. “Everybody is frustrated,” he said. “This is a delaying tactic. They talk of beneficiaries being vetted.

“At no stage did the department communicate this to us.

“It should have raised this issue prior to making the pronouncement.”

ECDFF chairman Burty Andrews said his organisation had met all requirements before the government made the formal quota announcement.

This included securing an Asian market to export the perlemoen, a processing facility, rubber boats and diving gear.

“We are in compliance with the law. This equipment cost us money. If we miss out on this permit, we are in deep water,” Andrews said.

“It is not fair for the department to play delaying tactics. We are ready to work.”