A group of small-scale fishers in Langebaan on the West Coast are calling on government to provide them with more economic opportunities in the fishing industry .
They are grappling to support their families or earn a living due to inadequate fishing rights allocations. They demand justice and dignity for all small-scale fishers.
Issues they are raising include the recognition of bonafide traditional fishers, the support of local fisher families with economic upliftment and an end to corruption and exclusion in the allocation of fishing rights.
They say their way of living is slowly dying out and the aim of their protest action is for their voices to be heard by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment DFFE.
Fishers Movement of Change Spokesperson, Carmen Rodgers explains, "We will no longer accept exclusion. We will no longer accept empty promises. The department has failed us, the fishing rights allocation process has deepened poverty and destroyed dignity. We cannot protect the ocean by destroying its people. We demand immediate engagement with the minister, a full inclusion policy and resource allocation recognition."
