Call to exploit ocean economy profitably
KZN MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Themba Mthembu has encouraged previously disadvantaged communities to exploit the ocean economy to improve their lives.
Mthembu was speaking at Sokhulu Community Hall on Tuesday, where he welcomed the donation of safety gear and first aid kit from non-profit organisation International Pole and Line Foundation, led by John Burton.
The donations, which were warmly welcomed by the fishermen, came in as a result of an imbizo held with the National Minister of Forestry and Fisheries, Senzeni Zokwana early this year, when shortcomings for these small scale fishermen were identified.
Mthembu said communities living along the coast must benefit as do all companies involved in commercial fishing.
‘The community of KwaSokhulu is one of the 46 communities who applied for licences to be able to fish. So, today we have one sponsor who handed over safety gear to assist those gathering mussels.
‘Throughout the world, you will find that big conglomerates are the ones helping themselves - in fact monopolising fishing, and this is what we want to change, ‘ said MEC Mthembu.
In accepting the donation, KwaSokhulu Fishing Committee Chairperson Senzo Msane said they praised International Pole and Line Foundation for lending a helping hand.
‘We are in a situation where we need every donation to be able to take our business forward,’ he said.
The Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries has started the Small Scale Fisheries Policy implementation process, with the amendment and promulgation of the Marine Living Resources Act and approval of the Small-Scale Fishing Regulations in March 2016.
The Department also conducted an extensive registration and verification process for small-scale fishermen in 2016 covering 316 communities and registering over 22 000 applicants.