Fisheries welcomes probe

Cape Town - The public protector's plan to probe the controversial allocation of line fishing rights was welcomed by the fisheries department on Thursday.

The public protector's office confirmed this week that it would investigate allegations that fishing rights were unfairly awarded.

The announcement came after the department announced interim relief measures for fishers who were not awarded rights.

Relevant laws

"To date, we have not received any official communication from the public protector’s office. However, we have noted the media reports that they will be investigating the allocation process and we will gladly co-operate when the time comes," the department's acting deputy director general Desmond Stevens said.

Stevens insisted the process to award rights was fair and in line with relevant laws and policies.

"As the delegated authority of the fishing rights allocation process 2013, I wish to categorically state that the department has nothing to hide as repeatedly claimed by some so-called legal experts and mischievous politicians in the media using our people as fronts to rubbish the department."

Stevens announced on Tuesday that fishers who were refused line fishing rights could apply for exemptions pending the outcome of an appeals process.

Fishermen would be able to carry on with their trade until the appeals process was completed.

Allocation process

The decision followed a meeting between department officials and the Traditional Line Fish Association of SA, which was up in arms after many of its members were denied rights.

The new fishing rights were allocated after their permits expired on 31 December. Of the previous 303 permit holders, only 115 were successful in acquiring the right to fish under the new allocation process.

Fishers earlier threatened civil disobedience over the process, which they claimed was unfair.

The majority of those granted rights were new entrants.