The Department will engage with affected and interested parties countrywide on the draft sector specific policies, draft application forms and applicable fees. These relate to Abalone, Hake Inshore Trawl, Horse Mackerel, Kwazulu-Natal Beach Seine, Large Pelagic, Net Fish, Patagonian Toothfish, Seaweed, West Cost Rock Lobster (nearshore) and West Cost Rock Lobster (offshore).
“We have been advised by our lawyers that we should make comments on all the policies as it will affect the allocation given to small-scale fishers,” said Nico Waldeck, Masifundise, independent NGO working with small scale and traditional fishing and coastal communities in the west and south coasts of the Western Cape.
Masifundise says it’s concerned about the distribution of the WCRL to commercial fishers due to the fact that once commercial fishers are given rights, it will have a direct impact on the number of rights given to small-scale fishers.
“We have encouraged our communities, especially those on the West Coast to make comments on the policy,” added Michelle Joshua, “because once rights are issued there is no turning back and as an organisation we cannot allow our fishers to lose out once again.”
Masifundise and Coastal Links SA are represented in more than 90 communities across South Africa.
The process will begin on July 7 and end on Tuesday, August 4, 2015.
