By Johannah Malogadihlare
The Congress of SA Trade Unions has welcomed a nationwide safety inspection of commercial fishing vessels by the SA Maritime Safety Authority following fatal fishing incidents last year
The first took place in May when the Lepanto sank to the bottom of the sea off the coast of Hout Bay, taking 11 fishermen with it. The fishermen’s bodies were never recovered, and they were eventually presumed dead by an order of court in September.
In another incident, 20 crew members were rescued off the coast of Gansbaai. Both incidents involved Sea Harvest.
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy ordered the authority to conduct the safety checks.
Cosatu spokesperson Zanele Sabela said on Monday that the federation saluted Creecy’s decision to prioritise the safety standards of fishermen, saying this issue had never been given the warranted attention it deserved.
Sabela said the International Labour Organisation had identified fishing as more
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