Fishermen off the hook: Creecy grants travel for snoek run

Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Barbara Creecy, on Friday 3 April,  announced that fishermen can now travel freely across provinces during lockdown, in order to catch snoek. 

“In a previous communication, we outlined an extension with regards to fishing permits. Today we outline provisions that allow commercial and small scale/interim relief fishers in the Northern and Western Cape to take advantage of the snoek run in the Northern Cape,” said Creecy. 

Accordingly, fishers in the Northern and Western Cape may travel within and across the provinces to catch snoek in what is known as Zone A. 

Fishermen may travel on the condition that…

Creecy explained that, at all times, fishing teams must adhere to prescribed hygiene provisions such as sanitising hands insides of vehicles and equipment.

Restrictions on the number of passengers in vehicles must be observed at all times. Fishermen must carry their exemption notices and permits issued to small scale and interim relief fishers. 

Fishermen may not interact with local communities. They may only operate out of the harbours which are closed to all other members of the public.

“We are not opening accommodation for snoek run so fishers should only go to where they can go in and out in one day,” said Creecy. 

Forestry important for providing basic needs 

Creecy said work in the forestry sector plays a significant role in addressing basic needs during the period of lockdown. 

“This includes the production of essential goods like pulp for toilet paper production and plywood for board products or pellets and pelleting materials that are linked to the fruit industry where they are used for packaging of fruits for distribution to the market,” said Creecy. 

The collection of recyclables, however, is not included as an essential service and thus Creecy said waste-pickers cannot continue working under lockdown. 

“Following consultations with the two main waste pickers’ associations, we have taken a decision to submit a proposal for relief to the National Solidarity Fund. Working with the Consumer Goods Council, its members as well as Packaging SA, the department is working on an intervention that will see the provision of food parcels to waste pickers,” she said. 

Evacuation of all animals 

With regards to animal care and wildlife management, Creecy said the department is checking with the zoos and sanctuaries on a regular basis that animals are being fed and cared for. 

The department is also working with the NSPCA to evacuate all animals to alternative licensed sanctuaries. 

“Ranger services and anti-poaching activities continue in all our national parks and we can report that last week, on the 26 March a poacher was arrested on the Eastern boundary of the Kruger National Park,” she said.