Langebaan and Struisbaai fishers granted permits

Langebaan and Struisbaai fishers granted permits

Published in: Legalbrief Today Date: Tue 06 July 2010 Category: In Court Issue No: 2596 Artisanal net fishers from the Langebaan and Struisbaai areas have been granted permits to fish by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries after a protracted court battle, says a Cape Times report. Judge Nathan Erasmus said an order had been made by agreement between the parties to give permits to 41 fishers, who could demonstrate historical dependence and reliance on net fishing. Said Erasmus: 'This order will stand pending the promulgation, implementation and rights allocation in terms of a new policy framework that would accommodate traditional artisanal net fishers in an effective and comprehensive manner...' The parties would report progress about the finalisation of the policy, including the draft, which was to be circulated by 31 July. The report notes the fishers applied to the High Court after the department had failed to provide relief packages after the original application to the court in December 2004. According to court papers, that application was instituted to counter 'unfair discrimination' against artisanal fishers when they were not included in the Marine Living Resources Act.