The fisheries department's 3rd quarter report bizarrely states that it intends to increase the number of proclaimed fishing harbours from 12 to 19. The names of the possible additional 7 harbours are not mentioned.
Why they would want to increase the number of proclaimed fishing harbours is not explained. The only logical reason is that they could at least be seen to be doing something. But other than that there is no logic to this.
Our fishing harbours are in a disastrous state. DAFF continues to fail to invoice users of the harbours; security is non-existent and harbours like Hout Bay pose a serious threat to safety and security. Hout Bay is now a very convenient thoroughfare for abalone and lobster poaching with rubber ducks landing their illegal catches in broad daylight near the repair jetty. They then leisurely load their illegal take onto vans which are parked not more than a 150 metres from the fishery control offices and off they drive right past a completely inebriated DAFF employee who is supposed to function as some sort of access control officer to the Harbour!
In 2007, DAFF's forerunner, the department of Environmental Affairs' Marine and Coastal Management Branch, commissioned a report on the state of the harbours and remedial measures. The report cost multiple of millions and was kept secret. Feike has however secured access to the report (and will provide access to whoever wants it). It is clear that the report was never read (or understood) as none of its recommendations have been implemented.
A week ago, Feike took these pictures showing about 8 sunken vessels in the Hout Bay Repair Jetty area. These wrecks have been here for years with some wrecks actually resting on top of others below. As a result, less than 20% of the quay space is available in the Jetty Area and not a single boat (whether sunken or not) pays any fees to DAFF.
The only functional and relatively safe berthing areas in the entire harbour are those managed and controlled by private interests, including the Hout Bay Yacht Club.
An abandoned and rotting David Lurie takes up valuable repair space on the slip.
An abandoned vessel at the repair jetty now being used as a squatter area.
A sunken vessel
There are at least three sunken vessels in this view.
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