SUBSISTENCE fishing in Durban came under the spotlight when disgruntled fishermen and residents met on Tuesday (September 22) in an attempt to resolve longstanding challenges of closed piers, and the opposition thereof.

Ward 26 PR councillor Sharmaine Sewshanker has been at the helm of finding amicable solutions for the fishermen, as well as the City of eThekwini.

The fishermen, some who have been in the sector for 30 years, say their livelihood has been compromised since some of the piers were shut down for fishing.

“There is no income anymore; some lives have been ruined without an exit plan,’’ the fishermen contested.

They urge the City to reopen the piers, with fishing licences, by-laws, and permits. Apart from their own survival, they feel that international tourists have long enjoyed their fishing activities, taking pictures which they share worldwide.

“Our presence on the piers has played a role in preventing some suicide attempts and criminal activities nearby,” they said.

eThekwini DA mayoral candidate, Haniff Hoosen, emphasised that the piers belonged to everyone, and “no activity should dominate over others”.

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Sewshanker said she witnessed fishermen pushed off the piers, and squeezed onto one overcrowded pier in Battery Beach.

“You were treated like criminals when you were trying to feed your families. This is not fair,” she said.
She indicated that the City Council had recently agreed to the motion to reopen additional fishing spots, not just for the piers. She highlighted that the motion would still have to go to the Executive Committee (Exco) for further investigation.

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Some of the concerns raised by those who oppose the reopening of the fishing piers included litter, fish guts and hooks left on the piers where children walk; surfers being hit by sinkers and hurt by fishing hooks; catching of undersized fish and exceeding bag limit; people drinking, making fires, and sleeping on the piers; tourists being chased away and the beachfront looking untidy; and night safety.

To establish a balance between two opposing sides, Sewshanker proposed opening of designated piers with strict management, valid fishing licences, cleanliness, formation of committees per pier, and safety measures.

“Ward 26 — North Beach, South Beach and the Point — must be the jewel of Durban again. That means fishermen feeding their families with pride, and residents walking the promenade with pride,” Sewshanker concluded.

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