DURBAN - FISHERFOLK in KwaZulu-Natal have expressed reservations over the extension of Marine Protected Areas (MPA), warning that the restriction would drive many subsistence fisherfolk to poverty.
Today marks the deadline for public submissions on the Draft Management Plan for the Aliwal Shoal MPA, an ocean stretch marked by the Department of Fisheries for protection and non-fishing to allow marine species to grow and provide for fishing in the future.
The KZN Subsistence Fishers Forum has, however, said the impact of the draft proposal was that present fishing areas would be further reduced, resulting in more “no fishing” zones.
“The reality is that many underprivileged coastal residents depend on fishing for their survival, and while the restrictions in the next 10 years may result in a higher fish population and an increase in marine life, the impoverished humans may not live to enjoy these benefits,” said the forum.
According to the forum, industrial and other pollution is a much bigger threat to marine life than fisher-folk trying to eke out a living.
According to Dr Judy Mann, conservation strategist at the South African Association for Marine Biological Research, the Aliwal Shoal MPA is an extensive reef system situated approximately 4km off Green Point on the KZN South Coast, about 45km south of Durban.
She said MPAs were important in protecting ocean biodiversity, and were able to support surrounding communities through job creation, the supply of sustainable food sources and improved environmental health.
“MPAs are valuable safe havens that support not only the marine plants and animals, but also the human populations,” she said.
She pointed out that some of South Africa’s older MPAs, have been shown to benefit local communities in terms of a tourism economy, employment, improved fishing and a much healthier marine biodiversity.
“One of the most significant roles of MPAs is the protection of spawning and nursery areas that allow for resource recovery to counteract rampant overfishing. They provide safe havens for the fish and other marine life to thrive, maturing into adulthood, with the result being bigger, more plentiful catches for anglers later on. This ensures food and job security in the fishery sector,” she emphasised.
Mann conceded that not much was known about MPAs, especially by those involved in fishing, and this, she added, was one of the reasons the first MPA Day would be observed on August 1.
Individual fisher-folk who spoke to The Mercury complained that there had not been proper consultations, and this was one of the reasons that some were hostile to the MPA restrictions.
Israel Mbhele from Mthwalume, who has been fishing since 2010, said it was important for authorities to get the buy-in from the fishing communities.
“In our area, children have been raised, sent to school and families have survived and prospered because of fishing, and it is important for authorities to understand that.”
He acknowledged that population growth in Mthwalume could have depleted the fish stocks, but said a better method of communicating this message should have been applied.
“When you come and talk to us and tell us the disadvantages of overfishing, we will understand and follow protocols, but it is not appropriate to just impose a restriction without getting the input from affected parties,” Mbhele said.
Another fisherman, Carlos D’sa, 62, from Wentworth, said he had no objection to fishing in another spot.
“If we are told that it is for our future benefit, then I will just find myself another spot, but I have not been told anything about the MPAs,” said D’sa, who has been fishing since he was 10 years old.
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment had not responded to questions at the time of publication.
THE MERCURY