Deputy Minister B Swarts: Eastern Cape Small-Scale Fishing Co-Operatives Summit

20 May 2025, Mthatha

Programme director;
Deputy Minister Pinky Kekana;
MEC Nonkqubela Pieters;
Executive Mayor Goodman Nyaniso Nelani;
Esteemed traditional leaders;
Government colleagues, industry partners, and community representatives;
Members of the media;
Ladies and gentlemen;
Good morning;
Molweni,

It's an honour to stand before the 72 small-scale fisheries cooperatives of the Eastern Cape, alongside your mentors. Today isn't about formalities—it's about real, unfiltered conversation. I want to hear directly from you about the challenges you face every day.
This summit isn't just another meeting. It's a critical step toward solving the real, persistent struggles of our small-scale fishers—limited market access, crumbling infrastructure, internal disputes, and gaps in essential services. These issues hold you back, and that's unacceptable.

But today isn't just about problems—it's about solutions. We need stronger partnerships: government, business, academia, and most importantly, the commercial fishing sector. Division won't move us forward. Collaborations will.

This gathering is part of our unwavering commitment to the Small-Scale Fisheries Policy and the Marine Living Resources Act. Our goals? To bridge the gap between government and fishing communities, provide hands-on support, tackle market barriers, and amplify your voices in shaping better policies. We're also here to spotlight what's working—because success stories light the path forward.

Let me be blunt: This government stands by small-scale fisheries. That's why we've brought every key player here today—development agencies, financiers, trainers, regulators. They're here for you. Use this opportunity. Ask hard questions. Demand answers. Walk away with real support.

Now, let's talk about sustainability. No fish means no fishing industry—it's that simple. We must follow the rules: respect catch limits, protect marine reserves, honour seasonal closures. Our ocean isn't just a resource; it's a legacy. We're its caretakers, not just its consumers.

But fishing alone won't sustain us. We need to diversify—aquaculture, processing, cold storage, exporting. Dependence on one species or season is risky. Multiple income streams mean resilient communities.

To our cooperatives: Know your rights. Own your roles. Hold each other accountable. That's why we've placed mentors in every cooperative—to guide you toward stronger, more effective operations.

We're also rolling out co-management platforms where communities and government jointly oversee fisheries, resolve conflicts, and enforce compliance. Port St. John's is already proving this works. Let's replicate that success across the Eastern Cape. Your voice isn't just welcome here—it's essential.
We're not reinventing the wheel. Countries like Chile and the Philippines have thriving small-scale fisheries because they prioritized community-led governance, legal protections, and secure resource access. South Africa can—and must—do the same, but better.

Let's be clear: Small-scale fisheries aren't a footnote. They're the backbone of coastal economies, culture, and food security. Across Africa, small-scale fishers produce 60% of the catch and feed 90% of local communities. Yet they're still vulnerable—to climate change, corporate competition, and systemic neglect. That changes today.

Finally, we must streamline government efforts—national, provincial, local. No more duplication. No more mixed messages. One goal: a fisheries sector where no one is left behind.

In closing, this summit isn't just an event. It's a turning point. A pledge to empower, protect, and uplift South Africa's small-scale fishers.

Now, I'll open the floor to representatives from all 72 cooperatives. Speak freely. We're here to listen, learn, and act—for our coastal communities, for sustainable livelihoods, for a stronger future.

Together, let's build partnerships that last, understanding that deepens, and a sector that thrives—for generations to come.
Ngiyabonga. Baie dankie. Thank you.

For media enquiries please contact:

Peter Mbelengwa
Mobile: +27 82 611 8197
E-mail: pmbelengwa@dffe.gov.za