Coast KZN

State of the Coast: KZN
State of the Coast: KZN

State of the Coast: KwaZulu-Natal Chapter 1: Introduction & Background Chapter 2: Overarching Drivers Chapter 3: Climate Variability
Chapter 4: Coastal Environment Chapter 5: Estuarine Environment Chapter 6: Marine Environment Chapter 7: Human Environment Chapter 8: Economic Environment
Chapter 9: Governance Environment Chapter 10: Conclusions
The Profile of the KZN Coast
The Profile of the KZN Coast

Ugu Lwethu- Our Coast Defining the Coastal Zone The Physical and Coastal Environment Coastal and Marine Ecosystems
Coastal and Marine Species Migrations The Human Dimension Socio-Economic Uses of the Coast Commercial Resource Uses
Pressures and Threats Management of the Coastal and Marine Environments Understanding our Coast
Coastal access
Coastal access

Access RoutesBoat Launch SitesThe Human DimensionCoastal Access: Stats & Facts
Estuaries
Estuaries

What is an Estuary? Know your Estuaries Estuary Health and Conservation KZN Estuary Observer Programme
Historical Time Series Estuary Mouth Status Sand Mining
Recreation
Recreation

Fish TaggingAccess RoutesBlue Flag Beaches
Coastal risk and vulnerability
Coastal risk and vulnerability

Coastal Risk LinesExtreme EventsCoastal ErosionKZN Coastal Vulnerability IndexPollution
Coastal issues
Coastal issues

PollutionSand MiningCoastal ErosionNurdlesUPL Chemical Spill
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11 Nov 2016

OPINION: ‘Daff’s arrogance knows no bounds’

(South Coast Herald)

“In a bizarre move it has now been left to local citizens along our coastline to remove gill nets, patrol after hours and report incidents of poaching to the SAPS.“

Dear Editor,-

The arrogance of the National Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) knows no bounds.

The decision to remove effective Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife rangers and honorary officers from KZN’s 560-km long coastline at the end of July and replace them with a few untrained rangers is causing havoc when it comes to our precious marine resources.

In a bizarre move it has now been left to local citizens along our coastline to remove gill nets, patrol after hours and report incidents of poaching to the SAPS. These community members are offering their time and putting their lives at risk in the name of conservation.

This week alone saw Richard’s Bay residents and the SAPS remove seven kilometres of gill nets from the Richards Bay harbour, releasing approximately 700 fish.

The DAFF’s decision to change a system without consultation is bad enough. But to then replace a good service with a handful of unskilled rangers who do not know the area, do not respond to calls after hours and barely know the difference between a sardine and a shad is absurd.

Meanwhile, highly illegal gill nets, known as “Walls of Death” are being strung across rivers, estuaries, bays and even in the Jozini Dam to catch indiscriminately, threatening the future of many valuable resources.

In August the Democratic Alliance submitted a petition in a bid to get answers around the DAFF’s bizarre decision to remove Ezemvelo from patrolling KZN’s coastline. To date we have not received any satisfactory answers other than a reply that bases in Richards Bay, Ethekwini and the South Coast would undertake the role.

The DA condemns the cavalier attitude to our marine resources which flies in the face of the department’s much vaunted Operation Phakisa, which seeks to protect for the future. If the DAFF does not up its game there will be nothing left to protect.

ANN McDONNELL, MPL
DA KZN Spokesman on Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA)

 

Online Article