UPDATE: Pressure On for Fishers Locked Out by Lockdown

JUST IN: Yes. Subsistence fishers (i.e. Small-scale and Interim Relief fishers) are allowed to catch fish using their existing permits issued by the Department during the lockdown. Please also note that fishing on a recreational permit is NOT allowed during levels 4 and 5 of the lockdown.

Fishers are required to carry with them copies of their catch permits/exemptions, fishing vessel licences, Annexure C, Form 1: Permit 1D Perform Essential Services, in terms of Regulation 11 B (3) that indicates a list of all crew/fishers and certified copies of individual’s identification documents. (Minister Barbara Creecy)

Pleas from subsistence fishermen locked out of fishing by lockdown level 4, continue to fall on deaf ears. Or so they think. Many organisations and people have recently voiced their concerns but there are reasons why no fishing is allowed.