Small-scale fishers demand better allocation of fishing rights
Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Dion George says the protests are a concern as the department is making progress in revitalising the country's fishing harbours.
Small boats dock at the Hout Bay fishing harbour in Cape Town. Picture: Ashraf Hendricks/GroundUp
CAPE TOWN - Small-scale fishers from Port Nolloth and other west coast fishing villages held protests on Monday to demand better allocation of fishing rights.
Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Dion George said the protests are a concern as the department is making progress in revitalising the country's fishing harbours.
George says the progress will not be derailed by disorder.
A fourth-generation fisher, Walter Steenkamp, who represents a small-scale fishing movement in Port Nolloth, said regulations are affecting fishers' livelihoods.
"There were things... Besides for the fishers, without the fishers... Like the regulations... Which are putting our lives in difficult positions."
Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Dion George said the protests are mainly related to the allocation of fishing licences to small-scale fishers.
"That process was completed by former Minister Creecy and there is a lot of unhappiness among the small-scale fishers on the amount allocated."
George has assured small-scale fishers that their concerns are being addressed.
"I am attending to their concerns as much as possible, given that the rights were allocated for a very long period and cannot be changed. I am focusing when I am looking at appeals on ensuring that I can allocate more licenses to the small-scale fishers."
The group said they are waiting to receive feedback from the department before planning their next move.