THE Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) has terminated the contract of Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife as custodian of the province’s 560km coastline and marine resources. Palesa Mokomele, spokesman for the department confirmed the decision on Friday.

The decision, was final from Monday, 1 August and came to light earlier this year after the DA spokeswoman on KwaZulu-Natal’s environmental affairs, Ann McDonnell, received information that the Ezemvelo contract was being cancelled by the national department.

Marine scientists fear poaching and over-fishing will rise sharply because of the decision to remove the provincial conservation authority as custodian of KZN’s coastline and marine resources.

“The deeper concern for the future is the Marine Protected Area programme being rolled out under Operation Phakisa. 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. Any vacuum between the withdrawal of EKZN staff, assisted by 150 honorary officers acting as eyes and ears, spells potential disaster for our marine life,” she said in an open letter earlier this year.