DEA, SANParks and Tsitsikamma anglers reach settlement

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Mongezi Mtati

The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), the South African National Parks (SANParks) and the Tsitsikamma Angling Forum have reached a settlement agreement with the Friends of the Tsitsikamma Association to stop the pilot recreational angling project in the Tsitsikamma Marine Protected Area (MPA).

The project commenced on 15 December 2015. The agreement was reached pursuant to an application launched by the Friends of the Tsitsikamma Association which sought to interdict the operation of the pilot project as well as to review and set aside the decision to implement the pilot project. The settlement agreement was made an order of court in the High Court in Pretoria on 8 January 2016.

Draft regulations not affected

SANParks and the Tsitsikamma Anglers Forum undertook to commence the process of informing the registered fishermen of the settlement. The settlement does not affect the published draft regulations for the rezoning of the Tsitsikamma Marine Protected Area, for public comments.

The DEA, SANParks, the Koukamma Municipality and other stakeholders have held various meetings with the Tsitsikamma angling forum to discuss the zonation of possible controlled areas within the MPA. This engagement is to reassess the basis of marine resource use in the Tsitsikamma MPA.

This is done in order to provide benefits for society and the communities that are currently denied the minimal use of natural resources while ensuring that such benefits are protected for future generations.