SANParks donates gear, permits to Addo, Knysna anglers
Sixty-two anglers from communities next to the Addo Elephant National Park have benefited from SANParks’ Anglers’ Support Programme, enabling them to access marine resources in a sustainable way.
SANParks communications head JP Louw said the programme targeted communities next to SA’s four coastal national parks. The Addo handover followed a similar ceremony in Knysna on March 28, in which 45 anglers benefited.
Louw said the programme underscored SANParks’ commitment to the wellbeing of communities neighbouring national parks.
“In a ceremony on March 30, the Addo park beneficiaries received fishing equipment, fishing apparel, fishing permits and certificates of participation in practical angling skills workshops. Consequently, community members are now better equipped to sustain their livelihoods.
“The beneficiaries of the Addo part of the programme are from Colchester, Alexandria and a Kenton-on-Sea fishing co-operative, which has also received small grants from GEF [Global Environmental Facility] 7, the facility’s new fouryear investment cycle.”
GEF 7 is intended to safeguard the world’s terrestrial and marine habitats, counter climate change, build green cities, nurture wildlife and fight pollution.
The GEF 7 SANParks angler community programme aid was channelled through the UN Development Programme, and facilitated by the SANParks socioeconomic transformation unit and the Ndlambe Local Municipality economic development office.
Louw said the Anglers’ Support Programme was launched in the Wilderness section of the Garden Route National Park two years ago.
“It addresses the needs of families who depend on these resources for their livelihoods.
“The programme assists over 300 fishermen and women, and their families and communities, across four national parks with marine protected areas: Table Mountain National Park, West Coast National Park, Addo Elephant National Park and three sections of the Garden Route National Park.”
He said at the Garden Route ceremony, SANParks officials handed over fishing equipment, permits and certificates of participation to 45 beneficiaries from Hornlee and Concordia in Knysna, and 30 youths from Stormsriver Village, Thornham and Nompumelelo Village in Tsitsikamma.
“The programme has grown from supporting 43 senior citizens in the Wilderness area, to now assisting over 300 fishers.
“SANParks, through its corporate social investment social legacy programme, continues to implement various initiatives aimed at socioeconomic development. These include infrastructure projects in schools, community bursaries, food and water security and biodiversity economy initiatives.
“Funding for these projects is sourced from the 1% tourism income on all accommodation bookings, totalling an estimated R6m to R7m per annum over the past five years.”