Angry anglers not hooked
Community fishermen cry foul over restricted zones
COMMUNITY anglers are not happy with only 17km of the 24km marine protected area at Dwesa-Cwebe Nature being thrown open to smallscale fishing.
The local fishing community has waged a battle since 1981 for their customary rights to fish in the area.
Last Friday, the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) published a notice which reopened three “controlled zones”.
No fishing will be allowed along a 7km buffer zone of estuaries and river mouths where indigenous fish species breed.
The coastline is home to dusky cob, blacktail, galjoen, Cape stumpnose and mussels, oysters and East Coast rock lobster.
The new regulations allow 39 permit-holders to catch no more than 10 fish and one cob each daily, starting on December 1.
A strong tide rumbling on the nearby beach failed to break the tension between stone-faced DEA and EC Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA) officials and a wary audience of about 100 residents during registration for interim-relief permits at the Haven Hotel on Thursday. Two rangers also attended.
Deputy-chairman of the Community Property Association (CPA) Sithayi Bhunga said the fishing areas did not have big enough fish to feed families and generate income.
“We are happy that finally we are able to go back to our old means of survival. However, we are not entirely satisfied by the new laws because, as people who were born here and have lived off this beach, we know where fish are found. Where we are allowed to go, we know there are no fish. It’s dry,” he said.
The 39 fishermen permitted to fish daily meant most local anglers were excluded. “What about the majority? What will I eat when the sea is rough and I can’t get any fish?” said Bhunga.
Traditional leader Patisile Ndevu said: “This is a step in the right direction. It will lead to sustainability between all the stakeholders. We are calling for cool heads.”
DEA spokesman Zolile Nqayi said government was open to discuss any “teething problems. We need to take into consideration issues of conservation to ensure that even future generations will still fish in the area.” — loyisom@