West Coast Rock Lobster /Weskus Kreef
The West Coast of South Africa, with a plethora of amazing surf spots and rich marine biodiversity, is also home to a complex and delicate relationship between small-scale fishers and commercial fishing operations.
The region's coastal communities rely on fishing as a vital source of livelihood, cultural heritage, and food security. However, the growth of commercial fishing operations poses numerous challenges, often pitting the interests of large-scale commercial fishing enterprises against those of the smaller, traditional fishing communities.
I got to spend a day chatting with some of the Fishers of St. Helena Baai and they were gracious enough to let me document them at work.
These small-scale fishers, typically operate in nearshore waters in small vessels with up to two crew on board. They have been working in these areas for generations and employ traditional low-impact fishing techniques to target on a variety of species, including linefish and rock lobster.
Sadly their livelihood is under threat from various commercial interests along the coast and it is not uncommon to see a lot of small-scale vessels (pictured above) out of the water, with their owners having moved on to work in another industry.
This relationship between small-scale and commercial fishers on the West Coast is complex. It can be characterised as a mixture of cooperation, competition, and conflict. While both groups contribute to the local economy and supply chain, tensions arise due to differing fishing methods, access to resources, and concerns over sustainability.
Pictured below are small-scale Fishers that proudly continue to ply their trade as many generations have done so before them.
One key area of contention is access to fishing grounds. Small-scale fishers argue that commercial fishing operations have encroached on their traditional fishing territories, depleting fish stocks and diminishing their ability to sustain their livelihoods.
Limited access to permits and licenses for small-scale fishers exacerbates this issue, as many are unable to compete with well-financed commercial enterprises when it comes to obtaining fishing rights.
Just a stone's throw from where I spent my day with the small scale lobster fishers you can find a number of commercial rock lobster vessels moored up and waiting for their turn to catch their quota.
Pictured above you can see a plume of steam from the once proud lobster factory, that is now used to export potatoe chips around the world.
The relationship between small-scale and commercial fishers on the West Coast of South Africa is multifaceted. It is characterized by a delicate balance of cooperation, competition, and conflict as both groups navigate the challenges of resource management, access to fishing grounds, and sustainability.
There are thankfully a number of stakeholders engaging in an ongoing dialogue with Fishers and working towards more inclusive policies and a more equitable and sustainable future for the region's fisheries, where the interests of all parties are respected and protected.
