DEAR Editor,-
Reports that the national Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) have decided not to renew Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife’s contract for coastal monitoring, a function performed well for many years, are extremely disturbing.
The blatant grab of KZN competencies by national government is shocking. If it is not broken, why fix it? The DA in KZN is convinced that this move has more to do with politics as the ANC attempts to butter up certain sectors of the population. Certainly it has nothing to do with marine science and best practice.
Of major concern are the spurious accusations by the DAFF that EKZN’s rangers behaved unlawfully and overly aggressively in exercising their duties to police the coast and protect against harmful practices such as gill net fishing. These accusations are unproven and unfair, with staff being targeted for implementing the prescripts of the Marine Living Resources Act, on behalf of DAFF, as is their mandate.
A 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.
With EKZN due to withdraw their presence on August 1, the question now is whether there are plans in place after then? 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. The DA is committed to finding answers – Our marine heritage is not a pawn for politicians to play with.
ANN McDONNELL, MPL
DA KZN Spokesperson on Economic Development,
Tourism and Environmental Affairs
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