Controversial fishing plan under way

14 Dec 2015

The controversial move to allow fishing in the Tsitsikamma marine protected area (MPA) is set to get under way with the roll-out of the pilot phase. After an agreement between South African National Parks and representatives from the Tsitsikamma community, registered local fishermen will from tomorrow be allowed to fish in four controlled zones in the sensitive, environmentally protected area.

©Grobler du Preez via 123RF

This comes after the Department of Environmental Affairs published its draft regulations for the rezoning of the MPA, which falls within the Garden Route National Park, for this purpose after more than 20 years of discussions with local anglers.

The fishermen have been campaigning for the rezoning following claims from communities that the MPA was declared more than 50 years ago without a public participation process. They say this stripped them of cultural, historical and recreational rights.

The pilot phase is believed to test the implementation of the draft regulations.

Opposition

The move has, however, seen major opposition from marine experts who believe the action would have dire implications for the area, and yesterday their campaign was taken a step further. The Plettenberg Bay-based Orca Foundation, a volunteer community dedicated to marine conservation, started a petition to persuade authorities to rethink the proposal and base decision-making on science.

Foundation founder Tony Lubner said he had also written to minister Edna Molewa and urged her to reconsider, especially after research suggested allowing fishing in a protected area had a major impact on fish stocks. Lubner has sought legal advice as he believes environmental laws have been transgressed.

Garden Route National Park spokesman Nandi Mgwadlamba said it was all systems go for the pilot phase.

Source: Herald

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