Find government COVID 19 information at https://sacoronavirus.co.za
Home
FacebookTwitterSearchMenu
  • Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • News
  • Features
  • Knowledge Library
  • Columns
  • Customs
  • Jobs
  • Directory
  • FX Rates
  • Contact us
    • Contact us
    • About Us
    • Advertise
    • Send us news
Africa
Other
People

Minister approaches court on small-scale fishing rights

23 Feb 2021 - by Staff reporter
The Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Barbara Creecy. 
0 Comments

Share

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google+
  • LinkedIn
  • E-mail
  • Print

The Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Barbara Creecy, will approach the High Court to review and set aside the process of awarding small-scale fishing rights in the Western Cape. 

“The minister’s decision to approach the courts follows the verification process for small-scale fishers in the Western Cape, following multiple complaints from community members about the fairness and accuracy of the process,” the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries said.

An internal audit process was launched in 2019, and concluded that the verification process was “wholly inadequate”, and that the “results of these assessments cannot and should not be relied on for any decision-making purpose in terms of the regulations”.

Among the errors identified, the department said, were problems such as the inaccurate capturing of information and the incorrect adjudication of applications by community panels.

There was inconsistent application of criteria between communities, an incorrect and incoherent application and appeals process, as well as incomplete and inaccurate data, including lost applications.

Based on legal advice, the minister will seek the review of the entire process of those who originally applied for all Western Cape communities.

“Numerous steps will be taken by the department to minimise the impact of the court application on fishing communities in the province.  These include bringing the application as quickly as possible, prioritising the new verification process, and conducting it as swiftly as possible,” the department said.

These steps are aimed at shortening the period of impact. Importantly, the court application will request to maintain the current dispensation of providing access to fishing by fishing communities.

The minister will ask the court to order that whatever form of access to fish communities and individual fishers have, it should remain in place until the new verification process is complete.

In addition, the department is exploring ways to improve this interim relief dispensation that will apply during the court application process to ensure better and more equitable access for fishing communities in the Western Cape.

“Should the court application be successful, originally registered individuals will have an opportunity to submit new information to support their original applications and thus ensure a process that is applied fairly and consistently to all communities. All Western Cape communities will be affected.

“While the minister understands that there are some communities who have no objection to the outcome of the verification process, these could not be singled out for different treatment, given that the problems with the process are widespread and that the only available option is to review the process for all communities in the Western Cape,” the department said.

Approaching the court will cause a delay of at least another year in the granting of rights for some communities.

“However, the minister believes that the consequences of not approaching the court are potentially even more disastrous. A new process is the only way to ensure that rights are allocated fairly,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za

BORDER BEAT: Kazungula pontoon failures addressed – C-BRTA

Africa
Yesterday
0 Comments

Imperial invests in eCommerce logistics business

Logistics
Yesterday
0 Comments

Unemployment rises to 32.5%

Economy
Yesterday
0 Comments

Green hydrogen production facility planned at Port of Rotterdam

International
Yesterday
0 Comments

G20 trade growth on the up in Q4

Other
Yesterday
0 Comments

Poultry producers in a flap over cheap imports

Africa
Yesterday
0 Comments

Call for maximum flexibility on border clearance for vaccines

COVID-19
Yesterday
0 Comments

Zambia restricts foreign fuel tankers from delivering to end users

Africa
23 Feb 2021
0 Comments

New MD heralds growth period for DSV Skyservices

Sponsored
Other
23 Feb 2021

Harsh weather claims another victim

Logistics
23 Feb 2021
0 Comments

Harare route reopened

Africa
23 Feb 2021
0 Comments

William Hlakoane appointed Denel acting CEO

Other
23 Feb 2021
0 Comments

ONE provides expected departure date for Apus

Other
23 Feb 2021
0 Comments

New MD heralds growth period for DSV Skyservices

Sponsored
Logistics
22 Feb 2021

Anchorless bulk carrier under surveillance after explosion

Africa
22 Feb 2021
0 Comments

Iata’s chief economist to retire

Air Freight
22 Feb 2021
0 Comments

Mental health elevated more than ever before

COVID-19
22 Feb 2021
0 Comments

The great hollowing out: SA’s fiscus under attack

Africa
22 Feb 2021
0 Comments

Sea transport is primary route for counterfeiters, says OECD

Imports and Exports
22 Feb 2021
0 Comments

Last week’s top stories

Logistics
22 Feb 2021
0 Comments
  • More

FeatureClick to view

Packaging & Crating February 2021

Border Beat

BORDER BEAT: Transporters waiting for days as Kazungula delays worsen
19 Feb 2021
BORDER BEAT: C-BRTA plans talk shop amid fears of border opening-related congestion
15 Feb 2021
BORDER BEAT: Groblersbrug closure highlights hauliers’ headaches
11 Feb 2021
More

Poll

Has mental health and wellness been a priority in your workplace?

Featured Jobs

New

Procurement Manager

Lee Botti & Associates
Johannesburg North
24 Feb
New

Estimator DBN

Tiger Recruitment
Durban
23 Feb
New

Senior Clearing & Forwarding Sea Import Controller

GAC Laser International Logistics (Pty) Ltd
Cape Town
23 Feb
New

Logistics / Freight Forwarding Operations Clerk

Dangerous Goods International SA (Pty) Ltd
Jetpark
23 Feb
New

Freight Software Support Team Leader - Operations Staff Welcome

Blue Oak Personnel
Centurion
23 Feb
More Jobs
  • © Now Media
  • Privacy Policy
  • Freight News RSS
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Send us news
  • Contact us