Fishermen win long battle

THE Subsistence Fishermen’s Forum will celebrate the lifting of the five-year-old ban on fishing at Durban harbour and other prime fishing spots by holding a fun day at the South Pier on Sunday.

Hundreds of fishermen are expected to gather at the pier to toast the issuing of the first batch of fishing permits which started on Monday.

The ban on fishing at the harbour entrance was introduced as a security measure by the National Port Regulator in the wake of the 9/11 attacks in the United States.

The Forum’s spokesman, Desmond D’sa, said by yesterday (Tuesday) approximately 150 permits had been issued to anglers.

He assured the 10 000 fishermen who had completed applications for the permits in March that everyone would be issued with permits.

“The permits are being processed at the customs offices near the harbour. Permits will be issued from Monday to Saturday.

“Fishermen waiting for the permits must contact the executive members of the forum before collection as they are being issued in batches.

“Anglers must be patient as the administrative exercise runs its course. We received a fair number of applications from women anglers.

“They will be assisted tomorrow (Thursday). They too should phone the forum before heading to the customs office,’’ said D’sa.

Keen fisherman Keith Yusuf, 49, a father of three, of Newlands East, who got his permit yesterday said he would go to the South Pier to fish.

“Apart from providing food for my family, I also sell the excess fish I catch. The long ban on fishing made life difficult. Now that things are back to normal, I want to catch up on lost time,’’ he said.

Another fisherman, Aitkin Adams, 44, of Sydenham, said the peaceful demonstrations and campaign lodged by the Forum and its members in various parts of Durban had paid dividends.

“The ocean belongs to everyone. I also use the fishing trips to bond with my family. I am a welding inspector and fish whenever I have free time,’’ he said.

Contact Bonny Adams on 083 499 8139, Riaz Khan 082 826 8317 or Kay Sewsunker on 078 733 0641