Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries conducts training programme for small scale fisheries cooperatives as part of World Oceans Day

World Oceans Day - small-scale fisheries cooperative training Eastern Cape

The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) is finalising its small scale fisheries cooperatives training programme in the Eastern Cape. DAFF has hit a huge milestone in the implementation process of its Small Scale Fisheries sector by commencing a series of training programmes with small scale fisheries cooperatives.

Eight DAFF teams are currently conducting small-scale fishing co-operative training workshops for over 100 Eastern Cape communities. This is the largest logistical undertaking in the history of Fisheries and the reports received indicate that things are generally going well. Communities are very appreciative of the work being done. This training also coincides with World Oceans Day which is the official United Nations designated international day of celebrating the ocean. On June 8th each year, the world celebrates the ocean, its importance in our lives, and it needs to be protected.

“This will be the first of many as training has already been concluded for KZN communities and the Department is currently busy training EC communities. These two provinces together are estimated to account for a further 150 small-scale fishing co-ops to be registered in June/July this year.” said Small scale Fisheries Director Craig Smith.

On the 30 May 2018 history has been when the first small-scale fishing co-operative has been registered in South Africa by CIPC. The first co-operative hails from Hondeklipbaai in Northern Cape and it is called “Longtime Hondeklipbaai Fishing Primary Co-op Ltd”.  The other co-operative for Northern Cape, namely the Port Nolloth Co-op, is currently in the process of being registered.

Northern Cape co-ops can now proceed to open bank accounts and hold its AGM to appoint their board of directors and to adopt the by-laws of the co-operative. Once this has been concluded DAFF will engage with the co-operatives to begin the rights allocation process.

This sector is aimed at redressing the inequality suffered by coastal fishing communities which as a result of unintended consequences have remained marginalized through previous rights allocation systems. Furthermore, the establishment of the small-scale sector also seeks to empower small-scale fishers to contribute meaningfully to the GDP of the country and to play a meaningful role in food security and job creation. This process is informed by the Marine Living Resources Act (The Act) and the Regulations thereof which was amended to legally recognize small-scale fishers who have been living in coastal communities and depending on fishing and its related activities as a source of livelihood.

Enquiries:
Carol Moses
Cell: 071 229 8484
E-mail: CarolMO@daff.gov.za or cemoses@gmail.com

More on

Share this page

Similar categories to explore