FOLLOWING the march through Mtubatuba’s streets earlier this year, small scale fishermen from the Nkundusi and Kwanibela communities in uMkhanyakude District are none the wiser with regards fishing policy change.
Organised by Coastal Links KZN Chair, Lindani Ngubane, the aim of the march was to protest against community members’ alleged harassment by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (EKZNW) officers and to request the implementation of the government’s small scale fishing policy.
A memorandum was handed over to EKZNW CEO, Dr Bandile Mkhize, who acknowledged the community members’ grievances and pledged a commitment to alleviating poverty, an underlying cause of their grievances, in the area.
The fishermen are calling for unrestricted fishing, however, are in opposition to already implemented conservation practices.
While no changes have been implemented as yet, Masifundise Development Trust (MDT) and Coastal Links South Africa, representing 4000 small scale fishermen around the country, have called for Senzeni Zokwana, new Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, to pay special attention to the implementation of the small scale fisheries (SSF) policy.
According to a press release issued by MDT Director, Naseegh Jaffer, and Coastal Links SA Chairperson, Christian Adams, ‘The SSF policy is the result of sustained struggles by fishers and an order by the Equality Court in 2006’.
It goes on to say, ‘It has taken years to go through the formulation and legislative processes and so it is imperative that the implementation process is undertaken with huge urgency’.
The respective heads of MDT and Coastal Links SA are ready to work with the ministers and the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to ensure the conclusion of the process.
In a statement from EKZNW Media Officer, Musa Mntambo, ‘Ezemvelo has been engaging the Community Representatives with an intention of setting up a consultative forum to address some of the challenges expressed and effect certain intervention’.
Mntambo concluded by saying, ‘So far there is nothing concrete… as discussions are on-going’.
