Deputy Minister Swarts to host the Eastern Cape Small-Scale Fisheries Summit

15 May 2025

The Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Ms Bernice Swarts, will host and lead the Eastern Cape Small-Scale Fisheries Summit on Tuesday, 20 May 2025, in Mthatha, Eastern Cape. This event forms part of the government’s commitment to implementing the Small-Scale Fisheries Policy and the Marine Living Resources Act (MLRA).

The aims of the summit are to strengthen engagement between government and fishing communities, provide technical support to small scale fisheries’ co-operatives and address market and infrastructure challenges that this sector experiences. The summit is also intended to gather community input to enhance support programmes and showcase successful models of small-scale fisheries. The programme will feature exhibitions and technical discussions led by sector experts.

Event Details:  

Date: Tuesday, 20 May 2025      
Time: 08:30      
Venue: Mthatha Stadium, Mthatha, Eastern Cape Province   

To RSVP, please contact:  

Merle Van Diemel      
083 301 9400      
mvandiemel@dffe.gov.za   
or  
Paul Sigutya      
072 921 4457      
psigutya@dffe.gov.za   

For media enquiries, contact:    
Peter Mbelengwa      
082 611 8197.      
pmbelengwa@dffe.gov.za