DA Trying To Get Local Governance Of Small Scale Harbors Funded By Government

A short while ago I met with a small contingent including the Large Pelagic SME Association (LPSMEA) who represents a fair amount of harbor users, with the Democratic Alliance Parliamentary Advisory Committee regarding the state of our harbors, or lack thereof. In one of my previous post titled: MK Veterans - Wasting Solution, you can see the state of disrepair whilst it is better documented on the Trawler Heritage website. A brief discussion was had during which the LPSMEA and myself gave adequate explanations providing an absolute understanding of the frustrating situation of the complete lack of control, malicious damage to public property, theft and other crimes, etc to all whom where present. It seems that we were heard and now the Democratic Alliance is well into the process of appealing to the court to have small harbors removed from the portfolio of the Public Works Department. The DA is arguing and motivating that local government should run the harbors instead of Public Works who are based all the way in Pretoria. The local government will in-turn hand the responsibility over to the respective local municipalities. As we speak, Premier Helen Zille and Mayor Patricia De Lille have both stated that the local by-laws and governing policies are being drafted up outlining the governance and should be completed within 6 months time.

The DA's move to have the local harbors included in their local municipalities falls directly within the ANC's and President Zuma's policy Operation Phakisa - Oceans Economy from where the budget has already been approved. The billions of Rands that have been set aside for the small harbors development authority who are to oversea the rehabilitation and upgrading of our harbor infrastructures will fund this. The quantified value of our Exclusive Economic Zone (the EEZ spans some 200 nautical miles parallel to our coastline) and oceans which indicated that oceans around South Africa were estimated to have potential to contribute R54 billion to GDP and an estimated 316 thousand jobs. Further analysis undertaken in 2013, found that nine sectors of South Africa’s ocean economy could generate an estimated GDP contribution of 129 to 177 billion rand by 2033 and double the number of jobs estimated in 2010. This is the motivation and the underling reasoning why the ANC has implemented the results driven approach of Operation Phakisa (Phakisa means "Hurry Up" in Sesotho) which involves setting clear plans and targets, on-going monitoring of progress and making these results public. 

 There has also been a call to privatize the small harbors to become self sustaining and managed. I think the first logical step would be exactly what the DA proposes, then look to privatization. But with privatization comes exclusion and thought must be spared for the historic harbor uses, etc...

As a fellow harbor user I am reliant upon these harbors for my livelihood. Whilst most can agree that we may have some of the most picturesque harbors, below the surface of the Public Work's bandages, much dark festering lurks. I welcome the proposed changed the DA are in the process of fighting for and can't help but wonder what the future will hold.

Below are some photos of the stripped tractor that was used to collect up all the kelp that washed ashore on Hout Bay beach...I saw it again this morning and there is literally barely even the chassis left:

The South African Pilchard Demand

 Since the start of the South African pilchard season which commenced upon receipt of their respective right holder permits from DAFF earlier this year, the season started off slowly with intermittent periods of good catches. With the pilchards (Sardinops Sagax) having little or no presence around the Cape Of Good Hope, the vessels have been in search of the shoals around Mossel Bay and further up the coast with some success.

 With the development of the Mauritius Free Port Development (MFRP), fishing companies have diverted their vessels in favor of the duty / tax free advantage afforded to them by the Mauritian Government instead of docking and discharging in Cape Town with the South African political environment. Adjacent to the seaport of Port Louis, Mauritius's largest port, has developed the largest logistics center in the Indian Ocean. Which offers world-class, cost-effective supply chain solutions through a comprehensive range of equipment and facilities which comply with the highest standards in the industry: EU, HACCP, ISO. Some of the facilities and services on offer are: freight forwarding, customs clearance, transport/ haulage, office rental, dry and cold warehousing, cold storage, container services, dry docking and a seafood hub. The main attraction for vessel owners would be the following:

Zero percent corporate tax,

Preferential markets access (subject to meeting rules of origin requirements)

Exemption from customs duties on all goods imported into the Free Port zones

Free repatriation of profits

Access to offshore banking facilities

Reduced port handling charges for all goods destined for re-export

Hundred per cent foreign ownership

Fifty per cent of re-export value to the local market

 It really makes complete sense for a vessel owner to rather call on Port Luis for discharging and resupply. This is why this destination has seen the majority of the South Africa pilchard bait sales with the likes of MSC shipping the bulk of the volume. The local pilchard bait has been traded around $1350/ mt FOB Cape Town, however some volumes has been sold at $1400/ mt FOB same origin. These prices are looking to drop inline with the competition from Moroccan bait suppliers. Albeit the Moroccan pilchard is a different specie, the South African and Canadian pilchard is in highest demand due to the quality and fat content. However, the vessel owners are now looking to bait their hooks with Canadian herring as a substitute based upon the reports and interest received from the Fijian long liners success. The herring was being  sold around $1120/ mt CFR Port Luis for the 55/65 jumble pack, a few weeks back. The South African bait suppliers have changed their packaging to the 10kg boxes as per some customers request. This is a more efficient way of packing although the presentation and quality is slightly inferior. The 5kg box which has been preferred by some customers increased the suppliers packaging costs and labor time. The local South African tuna pole vessels prefer the 5kg box due to the interleaved finger packing presentation of the pilchards and is less bulky for easier storage on board.

Below on top is the typical 5kg pilchard box:

Above is the 10kg pilchard box: (You will see the difference in presentation of the packed baits)

With the international sardine bait price expected to decrease, the vessels are looking to catch their quotas as soon as possible making full advantage of the bait prices, weather permitting of course. 

Blessing Our Fleet's Heritage

With this year's Blessing Of The Fleet taking place on during the weekend of the 40th week being so close to the public holiday Heritage Day and Heritage Month, one cant help but embrace this theme for this is exactly what this festival embraces. The Blessing of the Fleet festival once again took place at the V&A Waterfront with a great attendance of both the Portuguese and other fishermen's families over the course of a hot weekend. With last season's catches having improved substantially, it is no wonder this year had an even better participation. The tuna pole fleet this past season have mostly all managed to catch decent volumes albeit nothing of the years gone by, but nonetheless a few more smiles have been seen along the quays. Who knows, maybe this year will be even better than the last? Here's hoping.

The only real major issues this off season was that of the slipways and their lack of availability. With Cape Town syncro lift having been closed for maintenance and with Hout Bay's main slip being broken, there weren't too many options available for the vessel owners. This has created an unwanted amount of tension and back log. Furthermore, there were some strike action on the Hout Bay slip, although this was denied by DAFF. This same slipway has been out of commission for a few months now. Not sure how long you need to repair a slip but then I think of all those jokes about "how many people does it take to screw in a light bulb?" Perhaps this is a clear indication that it is time for the slipway in Hout Bay should be privatized?

Secondly, SAMSA have been more vigilant this season and have been checking and enforcing the qualifications of each vessel's crew. We had to send our officers on the fire fighting, first aid courses again which is a good thing. I suspect this is due to the fact that SAMSA is currently reviewing our industry's safe manning requirements and have thus issued you with 2 certificates, namely; Safe Manning Document and now also the Advisory Safe Manning Document which outlines what you will be required to crew with the respective competence in the near future. This is all in accordance with SAMSA's initiative to align the current South African manning compliment with that of the International Maritime Organisation's recommendations. This is to ensure that we conform with the international standard especially for those vessels operating with the high seas command.

So as is this time of the year that all the vessels are receiving their preparations and diligent attention  in respect of the surveys that they will undergo to be shipshape for the up and coming pending season. The harbor is abuzz with contractors working under the ever so vigilant eye of the owners and skippers. We have seen the fleet undergo a large amount of maintenance and plank work in preparation for this years arrival of the tuna.

Staying with the heritage theme... I came across a very informative and interesting website called Trawler Heritage. The author of this site who has dedicated this effort to his late dad, has insightful information and comments regarding the fishing vessels both past and present that operate along our coast. His comments regarding each vessel which he has an extensive collection of photos published on this site, are pretty accurate. He has even noticed the color schemes changing on some of the vessels this year. If you are a vessel owner then I suggest that you take a look on his website as he probably has your vessel's history logged. He has gone into great details and effort to keep his pictures and information current and has subsequently received an international ward. Kudos to him and all who have provided assistance. The website provides a great source of information regarding our fishing heritage, harbor infrastructure and general industry news. A good read for those interested and it seems to be updated regularly.

Pictured above in Hout Bay, is three of the former S.A. Sea Products vessels now in the tuna pole sector moored alongside each other namely from left to right; "Hangberg," "Sneeuberg" & "Constantiaberg," while a fourth sister vessel the "Barbara W" which moored directly in front of them has now sunk. At present all four vessels have different owners, and were used as crayfish boats in days gone by. This picture and caption are from their website for your information. (www.trawlerheritage.co.za)

With this year's blessings having been bestowed, all that remains is for the patient arrival of the tuna. Good luck to all and may this season be better than the last.

Blessing of the Fleet

 The Blessing of the Fleet was held this past Saturday and Sunday in Cape Town Harbor at the V&A Waterfront in perfect sunny conditions. The masses that participated in the weekend’s proceedings were treated to good food, music and above all witnessed a century old tradition still being enjoyed today. The blessing of the fleet has been in existence for centuries in Mediterranean fishing communities and has only been practiced in Cape Town since 1989 when the local Portuguese Community decided to celebrate this tradition as well. Today, this festival signifies the readiness of our tuna fleet as we patiently await the arrival of the tuna which usually occurs between September and October every year. And how fitting was it for the south easterly trade wind to blow, as this is the wind that also signifies the change in seasons and assists in pushing the warmer waters around our coast?

With selected vessels all being decorated in traditional fare such as palm leaves and flags, they departed for a procession around the harbor and once they were beyond the breakwater, all attending on board bare witness of the Catholic Mass and blessing for a safe and bountiful season. The vessels are blessed so that all on board may have safe return and earn an honest living. Words are also expressed for those seamen whose souls were lost at sea but never forgotten and a flowered anchor wreath is cast into the ocean in their honor. The procession returns to the quayside upon when the keenly awaited festivities of dancing and entertainment begins. Traditional Portuguese food is prepared with the same enthusiasm as one would expect from their mother’s kitchen. All funds raised from this 2 day festival are in aid of the Portuguese Cultural and Welfare Center.

The majority of tuna vessel owners and captains in South Africa are Portuguese and mostly originate from Madeira. Unfortunately for this industry, we are not seeing the younger generations following in their parent’s footsteps and pursuing a career on sea, as they would rather pursue more glamorous occupations. Rather, there is a trend for younger South African’s seeking ownership and employment within this industry. Possibly next year, we could see a change in venue to Hout Bay Harbor where I would imagine there being a better participation from the South African tuna fishermen.

With the 2013 blessing have come and gone, all are now occupied with their final preparations for this year’s (hopefully) plentiful season…so many livelihoods are at stake.