With the 2021/22 Fishing Rights Allocation Process (Frap) being concluded at the end of February, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) declared that the Frap2021 process had been deemed to be “substantially free, fair, and transparent”.
At least five local line fishers disagree.
People’s Post recently met with former traditional linefish right holders Roland Wichman, Reagan First-Knight, Charles Rudolph, Rashad Clarke and Charmaine Daniels in Hout Bay.
The boat, owners who all support a crew, have been active in the industry for years and rely on commercial traditional linefish as their main source of income. Yet none of their names appeared on the “successful” list when the results of the Frap2021 process were released (“Fishers ‘stranded’, People’s Post, 5 April).
With the original deadline for the online application process set for Tuesday 7 December last year (extended to 10 December 2021), the system was re-opened on Tuesday 28 December with the new cut-off date set for midnight Friday 28 January this year.
At the time, the DFFE attributed the need to re-open the system to users not fully understanding the requirements of the new system, which was a shift away from the manual physical applications done in previous years (“Application window for fishing rights allocation process closing”, People’s Post, 18 January).
In a media statement released on Monday 28 February, DFFE said: “Notwithstanding the technical glitches experienced with the online application system that necessitated two extension periods to afford the applicants additional opportunity to provide all relevant information, the Frap2021 application process has been deemed to be substantially free, fair and transparent by the independent process observer.”
However, First-Knight says it might have been free and fair in the office, but on the ground that wasn’t what happened. He says DFFE claims they didn’t even receive his application although he swears he submitted it.
“They did say beforehand, whatever you do, do not click on submit once you have not completed the whole process of the application. When I finally did submit it, all it showed was the word ‘submitted’ on the top right-hand corner of the computer screen. I wasn’t sent a notice or anything. So I don’t have any proof that it was submitted. I don’t have a leg to stand on.”
He adds that the online process was also very technical and that it is unfair to expect of fishers, many of whom were forced to leave school early to put food on the table, to apply online.
“These are people who usually work with their hands. Many of us were put off by the online process and didn’t even worry to apply,” says First-Knight.
In the DFFE’s general published reasons (GPR) for their decision on the allocation of 2021/22 Fishing Rights and Effort in the commercial traditional linefish sector, the application process is described as “interactive”.
It states that on Monday 1 November 2021 (the launch date of the process), applicants could log on to the online system, create a user profile and download a draft application form “in order to familiarise themselves with the information and supporting documentation required”.
The GPR states that support centres were set up at venues to provide technological equipment (laptop, Wi-Fi, and printer) and support for applicants with limited access to resources. Of the 10 centres set up, only one was located within a reasonable driving distance of local fishers: a customers’ service centre in Cape Town.
The document went on to state that applicants were able to raise queries during the week (Monday to Friday) between 08:00 and 16:00 by calling the Frap Call Centre Helpline or by email. It states that an additional helpline was opened and an IT specialist was placed at the Fisheries Management branch at the Foretrust Building, Cape Town, to provide assistance and support to applicants.
Rudolph confirms that a workshop was held to explain the process to Frap applicants.
“But what can a workshop tell you? Once the workshop is done, and you are in front of a computer and you must do it yourself, then you come across sections where you wonder, ‘now what must I do here?’ ”
He claims the call center helpline wasn’t much help either.
“You know how they are. When you phoned you had to wait long for your turn. And they were only open during the week until 16:00,” says Rudolph.
People’s Post asked DFFE if enough online and tech support were provided to assist fishers, who had limited computer skills, to place them on an equal playing field.
Albi Modise, Chief Director: Communications and Advocacy, DFFE, said that the department was of the view that enough support was provided to all the applicants, in particular, in the Traditional Linefish Sector.
“The online form provided is similar to the previous application form used in 2013, though the form was improved and/or enhanced in specific areas that were indicated to be ambiguous,” he said.
Modise added that a specimen of the application form was also made available before the opening of the application process, “affording the applicants substantial time to familiarise themselves with the application form and prepare the necessary supporting documentation”.
The appeals process for Frap2021 opened on Tuesday 29 March. Appeals too must be lodged electronically online “on the prescribed appeals form through the Frap2021 website”.
The closing date is Friday 29 April.
