Fears poaching and over-fishing will rise without Ezemvelo experience

There are more questions than answers regarding the monitoring and patrolling of KZN’s 560km coastline since the national department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) ended the Ezsemvelo KZN Wildlife contract on July 31, without giving reasons.
Asked why the contract was cancelled or not renewed, DAFF spokesman Palesa Mokomele simply said, “The contract ended on 31 July 2016 and the department did not renew the contract.”
Democratic Alliance provincial portfolio holder for economic development and tourism, Ann McDonnell MPL, questioned this and asked “why fix something that is not broken?”
She said there were many unanswered questions about the DAFF’s role in protecting the coastal environment.
* The officers were the eyes on the coast and knew just what was necessary in case of an incident – we don’t know if they will be utilised any more.
* How do we know the number for reporting any breach of the law?
* How long will it take to get to Blythedale say if we see blatant poaching taking place?
* When will the public be informed of the new system?”
DAFF minister Senzeni Zokwana told parliament that fishery control officers had been deployed along the KZN coast based in Richards Bay, Durban and Hibberdene, and his department told The Courier that DAFF fishery control officers had been patrolling the KZN coastline since August 1.
“They are trained to enforce the Marine Living Resources Act and its regulations.”

McDonnell said that a deeper concern for the future is the Marine Protected Area programme being rolled out under Operation Phakisa (This government initiative was designed to fast track the implementation of solutions on critical development issues).
“If not monitored this will mean an ‘open house’ to unscrupulous fishermen and could even lead to driving on the dunes again, defeating the object of the MPAs,” said McDonnell.
Meanwhile, the DA has set up an online petition for Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife to patrol the coastline: “Marine scientists fear poaching and over-fishing will rise sharply because of the decision to remove the provincial conversation authority as custodian of KZN’s coastline and marine resources. Ezemvelo and its predecessors have been looking after the KZN coast for decades and to remove this competency will be a disaster.”

More training is needed
Dolphin Coast Conservancy chairman and Ballito resident Di Jones said there are 25 DAFF staff in all. Ten for Durban harbour, five for Richards Bay and the balance of 10 for the rest of KZN.
“There is also a patrol boat which we have seen quite close inshore, used for monitoring any craft which might be illegal, such as some trawlers,” said Jones.
“There have been reports from people utilising the harbour who say the people from the Western Cape who have been brought in are unaware that there are no abalone or tuna in our waters! In other words, their training has been sadly lacking prior to their being reassigned to KZN.”
Local Jerry Mchunu, a regular collecter of oysters, said DAFF fishery control officers approached him about his catch and asked him what the bag limit was.
“They did not know the daily bag limit for oysters is 190,” he said.
Jones said nobody is checking fishing licences, which are mandatory for shore anglers, or for people collecting oysters and mussels, and the daily bag limits are going unchecked as well.
An important fact is that theEzemvelo Wildlife was assisted by honorary officers who had no policing authority, but could assist with patrols and provide extra eyes.

Public participation called for
A call for residents to get involved in keeping a watch for exploitation of marine resources has come from the director of the SA Association for Marine Biological Research, Jone Porter.
The KZN coastline is a very long stretch of coast and hence the DAFF compliance staff cannot be everywhere at all times, which is where the public come in.
“We look forward to public participation in marine conservation concerns and voluntarily complying with the bag, minimum size limits and other regulations,” Porter said.
“We have enjoyed a long, strong relationship with KZN Wildlife in terms of information sharing over the years and are therefore looking forward to working with DAFF staff and building a similar relationship.”
She said the contacts regarding fishing matters in KZN are: Lungile Nodwala: LungileNO@daff.gov.za – 082 829 3907. Thanduxolo Ntshangashe: ThanduxoloN@daff.gov.za – 079 444 9951 and Dino Govender: DinoG@daff.gov.za – 072 231 6070.
Spokesman for Ezemvelo, Musa Mntambo said, “We are not commenting on the coastal patrol issue. We refer all enquiries to DAFF.”

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