Parliament, Monday, 17 July 2017 – The Chairperson on behalf of the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries noted reports yesterday of the fishing vessel Maredon which capsized along Cape St Francis in the Eastern Cape.
Reports indicate that eight of the crew are still missing, one dead and seven rescued.
The Chairperson, Ms Rosina Semenya, said that “our prayers are with the families of the eight fishermen who are missing and we send our condolences to the family of the one person who was found dead”.
Fishing is the mainstay livelihood for many families living along the coast of South Africa and we are saddened that many families will now be without their breadwinners. The Portfolio Committee will await a report from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries on the untimely incident.
The Chairperson thanks all authorities involved in the multi-agency search and rescue operation for the missing squid fishers. The agencies involved include, but are not limited to, South African Maritime Safety Authority, Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, National Sea Rescue Institute, South African Police Service and local agencies. The search operation is still underway. We are relieved that at least seven people were rescued.
ISSUED BY PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES, MS ROSINA MACHWENE SEMENYA.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, Ms Rosina Semenya, please contact:
Name: Sureshinee Govender
Parliamentary Communication Services
Tel: 021 403 2289
Cell: 081 704 1109
E-mail: sugovender@parliament.gov.za
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