West Coast fisherwomen protest for permits

FISHERWOMEN from the West Coast protested at the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE) offices in Cape Town, demanding the reinstatement of their permits and an internal investigation into whether DFFE officials have private interests that override small-scale fisher rights.

- GENEVIEVE SERRA

Ubuntu Rural Women and Youth Movement, which has supported West Coast fisherwomen in securing fishing rights, has led to women comprising over 60% of the Doringbaai cooperative, is calling for an urgent investigation and action regarding irregularities affecting the small-scale fisher cooperative.

Ubuntu said fisherwomen has faced internal challenges: a small group received disproportionately large payouts (R40 000 — R50 000 versus R1 000) and increased fees without member approval, despite Ubuntu raising these issues with the DFFE.

After a democratically elected new leadership took over, the DFFE terminated the cooperative’s 15-year permit due to the former board’s failure to submit required financial statements, Ubuntu explained.

It said the new board reapplied, but that DFFE cancelled the application this week, citing outstanding documentation, which Ubuntu disputes, stating all documents were resubmitted.