Requests by the Tsitsikamma community to fish in marine sites are being considered, the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism said on Sunday.
”A sigh of relief will reverberate throughout Tsitsikamma, as access to Tsitsikamma National Park marine protected area for the community’s subsistence fishing is being seriously considered by Deputy Minister Rejoice Mabudafhasi,” spokesperson Moses Rannditsheni said.
The community first requested access to the land to fish in September last year.
Rannditsheni said that the site is a marine protected area and there may be a set of conditions applicable to the Tsitsikamma community before approval is granted. Such conditions include monitoring and compliance by all stakeholders.
Other conditions are opening access to 10km of fishing area, which would constitute 13% of the total area, and limited experimental and trial access for a period of 15 months.
Subsistence fishing only would be allowed in designated areas — and only during the day — with a quota of five fish per angler. All catches would also need to be reported to monitors.
Anglers would need to agree to avoid littering, and endangered species such as reef fish and siffies, which are closely related to perlemoen, may not be taken at all.
Transgressors of the conditions would be penalised and this may include revoking the permits of fishers, said Rannditsheni.
Educational and awareness campaigns at schools and in the community should also be conducted to empower them to manage marine and coastal resources.
”We should dissuade communities from the perception that marine resources are unlimited. Once community members are made aware of the correct facts, they will adhere to legal fishing quotas on their own and conserve the coast for themselves and future generations,” he said.
The department said it is aiming at capacity building of local communities by training and employing local people as catch monitors under the Extended Public Works Programme coast-care programme.
”Those who will demonstrate a high level of competency and passion for environmental conservation will receive further training to upgrade their knowledge and be exposed to careers within environmental conservation fields,” he said.
Mabudafhasi will meet Tsitsikamma community representatives on Tuesday. — Sapa