KWAZULU-NATAL fishermen should take heed of the potential changes the first phase of Operation Phakisa could have for the South African Coastline.

According to Jeremy Williams, of the South African Underwater Fishing Federation, the government-run initiative is aimed at working with members of the community, labour, civil society and academia to establish new marine protected areas as well as alter the boundaries and regulations of the existing ones to ‘unlock the wealth of the ocean’.

“Through the process of constructive interaction with different user groups, the government hopes to collect valuable information which would enable them to adequately set marine reserves and to manage marine reserves so that everyone can benefit,” explained Williams.

He added that without input from the user groups, such as fishermen and divers, the project could face resistance. “In the past such initiatives have been implemented in a top-down system, where the community was forced to ‘take it or leave it’, but this approach is more inclusive. The user groups are asked to contribute, which helps them take ownership of the project, and more likely to accept the new rules and regulations,” he said.

Some preliminary proposals of marine reserves that might be extended include Aliwal Shoal in Umkomaas, Tugela Bank on the North Coast and Shelly Beach.

Any proposals will also be supported by a decade of research conducted by the KZN wildlife and oceanographic institute, said Williams.

A spearfishing specific workshop, held at the Durban Under Sea Club (DUC) on Wednesday, 11 February, served as one of the constructive interactions where ‘spearos’ could provide their input on some preliminary proposals.

Williams said the he felt positive about the initiative and emphasised that fishermen and other groups would be given ample opportunity to voice their input.

Operation Phakisa is a government initiative launched by President Jacob Zuma in July last year, in an attempt to address poverty, inequality, unemployment and various other challenges stipulated in the National Development Plan.

Contact Williams on 082 959 1991.