Unathi-Wena’s Right to a Fair Trial

In early December the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, welcomed the successful conviction of Unathi-Wena Fishing CC, the former owner of the shark longline vessel, MFV White Rose, for illegal fishing in the De Hoop Marine Protected Area. The news was also welcomed by environmental groups, scientists, researchers and others. Fact is there is possibly another legal angle to this story to consider while the company concerned decides if the court findings are worth appealing or not.