The Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries today heard the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries respond to the list of grievances from small-scale fishers who had brought their plight to the Committee in November 2016.

The Committee received the report on small-scale fisheries implementation, which responded to the concerns raised by the small-scale fishers. The Committee is satisfied with the responses from the department and the Committee will conduct oversight on implementation of the policy. The department presented proposals to address the grievances, and a process of consultation with the small-scale fishers in the four coastal provinces about these proposals will take place.

The Committee calls for amendments to Section 21 and Section 28 of the Small-Scale Fishing Policy to provide mechanisms for transfer of rights from commercial to small-scale fisheries, and for the revoking of near-shore fishing rights from those near-shore rights holders who are not exercising their rights.

Whilst the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries must balance the natural preservation of the ocean, people’s food needs must remain a priority. Therefore, a multi-departmental approach is required to ensure that small-scale fishers are allowed to continue to fish for their livelihoods. The Department must continue with briefing sessions for the Committee until fishing rights are awarded.