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NEWS ABOUT SOUTH AFRICA

Politics, transformation of fishing industry drive traditional fishers out of South Africa

Over the last ten years up to date, the white and colored traditional fishermen in Hermanus, South Africa are leaving. This is due to politics and the transformation of the fishing industry.
Their fishing quotas have decreased to the extent that the can’t even fish anymore. The political transformation has also affected fishermen in Gasbaai. They are complaining that government has either lost it capabilities of enforcing regulations for a good dishing practice or is unwilling to do it.
The other problem is that fodder fish like pilchards seems to be depleted in waters, meaning it affects the source for many of the bigger fish species which of course have a ripple effect on the total eco-system.
Marine and coastal management is seen as a toothless organization by fishermen with neither the capacity or will to monitor or enforce regulations. “The solution to this maybe aquaculture,” states one fisherman.

Source: Hermanus Times