Should government suspend the fishing rights allocation ?
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As we know, this week Hout Bay dominated the news headlines as protests over fishing rights and housing issues erupted – similar to the protests in September 2011. Police were called to maintain order when a group of disgruntled fishers and residents staged a violent protest in Harbour Road, burning tyres and rubble. Police fired back with stun grenades, tear gas and rubber bullets. A 9 year old boy was caught in the protest and shot by police with a rubber bullet in the mouth.
Tonight, we want to try un-cover what lead to these protests and what are the underlying issues that have been simmering in the fishing community. What we know is that fishermen are demanding the immediate suspension of the West Coast rock Lobster fishing rights allocation process.
They want the West Coast rock lobster offshore allocations shifted from big companies to near shore and small scale fishers. We are aware that fishing rights organisations have met with the department of fisheries to address the challenges faced by poor fishing communities.
So this evening, we chat to those on the ground, or rather at sea (lol). Later in the show, we will be joined by the Masifundise trust, fishing activists as well as representative of the department of fisheries.
Of course we value your input, so do participate in the show. We will open the lines later, once we get the discussion going.
Joining me in the first segment of the show:
Guest: Naseegh Jaffer
Position: Masifundise director
Guest: Pedro Garcia
Position: South African United Fishers Front chairperson
Guest: Charles America
Position: Representative, Ocean View Witsand Artisanal Fishers Association
Guest: Siphokazi Ndudane
Position: Deputy Director General, Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Tonight, we want to try un-cover what lead to these protests and what are the underlying issues that have been simmering in the fishing community. What we know is that fishermen are demanding the immediate suspension of the West Coast rock Lobster fishing rights allocation process.
They want the West Coast rock lobster offshore allocations shifted from big companies to near shore and small scale fishers. We are aware that fishing rights organisations have met with the department of fisheries to address the challenges faced by poor fishing communities.
So this evening, we chat to those on the ground, or rather at sea (lol). Later in the show, we will be joined by the Masifundise trust, fishing activists as well as representative of the department of fisheries.
Of course we value your input, so do participate in the show. We will open the lines later, once we get the discussion going.
Joining me in the first segment of the show:
Guest: Naseegh Jaffer
Position: Masifundise director
Guest: Pedro Garcia
Position: South African United Fishers Front chairperson
Guest: Charles America
Position: Representative, Ocean View Witsand Artisanal Fishers Association
Guest: Siphokazi Ndudane
Position: Deputy Director General, Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries