KwaZulu-Natal fisherfolk receive fishing-exemption permits

SUBSISTENCE fisherfolks in KwaZulu-Natal have proclaimed their victory after the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment granted them with free fishing-exemption permits.

This emerged at a meeting between the department and KZN subsistence fisherfolk that was held at the Merebank Community Centre recently.

Also read: Meeting to address the concerns of subsistence fishermen

Director of Small Scale Fisheries Abongile Ngqongwa, together with the members of the task team, met with subsistence fisherfolk who applied for the exemption fishing permit.

All fisherfolk in KZN possess a recreational fishing permit which implies that they are fishing as a sport, for leisure or fun.

Spokesperson for South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) Janeira Reddy said, “Subsistence fishermen have this permit, not by choice but because it is the only permit available for them to fish legally.”

Reddy said a recreational fishing permit has strict fishing regulations by not allowing fisherfolk to either sell or barter their catches.

“Subsistence fisherfolk in KZN have had many challenges over the years as they rely on fishing to feed themselves and their families. Subsistence fisherfolk have had their rights removed which allowed them to catch fish, put food on the table and sell fish to earn income to put their children through school and pay bills that keep their lights and water on.

“The SDCEA, KZN Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum (KZNSFF), Legal Resource Centre (LRC) and Urban Futures Centre have worked together over the years to assist these subsistence fisherfolk.

“Discussions were held to strategise as to whether this matter be taken to court. Fortunately, in 2021, the matter was taken directly to Minister Barbara Creecy, seeking her intervention to recognise us as subsistence fishers in KZN. Creecy then requested a task team comprised of a delegation from her department to engage with the organisations to find the best way forward.

Also read: Meeting aims to shine spotlight on destruction of coastline

“However, it was a request from the department to pilot this project by first rolling out this to members residing within the eThekwini boundary,” Reddy added.

The criteria used for fisherfolks to be legible are:

1. They must be a South African citizen.
2. They need to be above the age of 18 years old, with a valid South African ID document.
3. They have been fishing for over 10 years.
4. They depend on traditional fishing or fishing-related activities for daily food and basic livelihood needs.
5. They should apply for the subsistence and small-scale fishing exemption if they live in a coastal community and want to make use of marine living resources.
6. They should apply through the locally established co-management committees
7. They need to meet all the verification criteria.
8. The exemption is renewable annually. Failure to adhere to exemption conditions may result in legal proceedings, which include suspension, cancellation or revocation of the exemption.

For more information, contact the call centre on 086 111 2468 or email: callcentre@environment.gov.za.

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