Port permit processing delay results in anglers meeting
Fishing permits are delayed according to the KZN fisherfolk.
THE KZN Subsistence Fisherfolk Association has called a meeting of its members, amid claims of a backlog in permit processing by Transnet.
According to the association, Transnet has had a backlog of over 2,000 application forms for fishing in Durban Harbour for almost five months. In a document issued by the KZN Subsistence Fisherfolk Association, they claim fishing is a critical livelihood strategy for many of the fisherfolk and without permits, they will be unable to provide an income for their families.
Port manager, Thami Ntshingila, said however, that the 2,000 applications in question must still be vetted. “These applications were not from local Durban subsistence fisherfolk, but rather recreational fishermen from the Eastern Cape, Gauteng and other areas throughout the country,” said Ntshingila.
All permits have to go through the vetting process and he added that the permit board is scheduled to meet next week.
The association further asserts Transnet’s security management is in breach of decisions made by the port regulator and Transnet with the fisherfolk.
Since an agreement made last year between Transnet and the association, 12,000 application forms were printed by the KZN Subsistence Fisherfolks Association and processed at community meetings around Durban, before being handed to the port authority.
Ntshingila said to date, the Port of Durban has issued over 10,000 free permits to local fishermen via the Subsistence Fishers Forum, which is double the original agreed upon 5,000 free permits. “Subsidising these permits has cost the port in excess of R100,000.”
The KZN Subsistence Fisherfolk Association hosts a meeting to discuss the final permit application process on Saturday, 28 June at 2pm at Unit 9, Rydalvale Primary School (200 Longbury Drive in Phoenix and Sunday, 29 June at 2pm at Unit 6, Arena Park Mosque Hall in Chatsworth.
For information on the meeting or the association, call Desmond D’Sa on 083-982-6939, Essop Mohammed on 083-786-4175, K Sewsunker on 078-733-0641, Suren Beeprahj on 082-967-0776, Logan Moodley on 073-958-7179 or Riaz Khan on 082-826-8317.
