Ebenhaezer

Ebenhaezer, Western Cape, 8149, South Africa

The Olifants Estuary, located on the west coast approximately 350 km north of Cape Town, represents one of the largest in the country and one of only four permanently open estuaries on the west coast and is highly ranked for conservation importance (Whitfield, 2000; Turpie et al., 2002). Vegetation comprises floodplain salt marsh and arid surrounds, and the area is renowned for high bird diversity (Anchor, 2008). In an act of racial discrimination, the people of the original settlement known as Ebenhaezer were forcibly removed from their farmlands near Lutzville in 1926 and relocated to unfertile lands adjacent to the estuary. This community is descendant of indigenous Khoi-San groups that settled in the area in the 17th century. Due to the poor soils and lack of water, many people have been almost exclusively reliant on fishing for their livelihoods for generations, although in recent years reduced catches have resulted in many seeking supplemental livelihoods (Sowman, 2009; Williams, 2013). There are approximately 120 fishing families that rely on fishing for food and as a contribution to livelihoods, and live in two main villages adjacent to the estuary, Ebenhaezer and Papendorp

Top environmental challenge faced by the community (currently or in the past 10 years):

The main challenges faced by these communities are high levels of poverty, unemployment and limited alternative livelihood opportunities, coupled with ongoing pressure from the government and their fisheries scientists to close the fishery. A government policy published in 2005 required that gillnetting be phased out by 2014, while a draft estuary management plan (EMP) published in 2008, recommended the estuary be declared a “no-take” marine protected area (MPA). In addition, these communities have been engaged in a land claims process for over twenty years and have recently been awarded a settlement that will lead to the restoration of lands lost in the late 1920s. However, certain aspects of the land claim are currently being challenged. Furthermore, land claim issues are stalling efforts by the community and partner organisations to establish what will be the first coastal marine community conserved area in the country. Moreover, a recent challenge to fisher livelihoods is proposed mining activities in the vicinity of the Olifants Estuary.


How the environmental challenge has affected local livelihoods:

Food and livelihood insecurity are the result of multiple attempts to close this fishery. Furthermore, such attempts have bred strained and unproductive relations in the past which are still being mended. Nonetheless, fishers by and large remain positive and willing to better their social and ecological context. Recently proposed mining poses a new threat to community livelihoods and requires ongoing vigilance, mobilization of the community and collaboration with social partners to defend their rights and the environment. Ratification of the proposed community-conserved area at the mouth will serve to improve this communities local livelihoods.


Community response to the challenge, through environmental stewardship (conservation) initiatives that improve environmental well-being and support sustainable livelihoods:

The fishers of Olifants, have formed a cooperative and together with their social partners, including researchers at the University of Cape Town (UCT), and two NGOs namely Masifundise (MDT) and Legal Resources Centre (LRC), have collaborated to generate knowledge and alternative management proposals for the fishery that recognise their rights to food, livelihoods and culture, but also supports long term conservation objectives. An alternative vision and set of fishery management proposals for the estuary were developed from fishers’ proposals presented to the Olifants Estuary Management Forum (a group comprising representatives from relevant government departments, local farmers, fishers and other interested parties) in November 2013, and these were supported. The EMP was consequently revised to address the rights and interests of the fishing and land claimant communities. Furthermore, a limited area at the mouth is prohibited for fishing in terms of a Provincial Conservation Ordinance, and supported by local fishers. Moreover, the community, and its partners, is also in the process (pending land claim issues) of establishing a community-conserved area near the mouth.


Extent to which governmental policy (at local, regional or national levels, as relevant) has supported, or been contrary to, the community's responses to the environmental challenge:

The national Constitution promotes securing ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources. Furthermore, the National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act 24 of 2008, provides for the involvement of, and ability for, a local community to initiate, declare and manage a coastal area. Moreover, the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act 57 of 2003, provides for the establishment of protected areas on communal land and promotes the sustainable utilization of protected areas for the benefit of the people and participation in their management. Additionally, the Restitution of Land Rights Amendment Act 15 of 2014, provides the framework for the implementation of the land restitution process to provide redress for past social injustices against marginalized people. Therefore, the enabling legislation for the establishment of community-conserved areas is present, and since government does not possess the capacity or resources, community-based conservation represents an opportunity for communities to better control their livelihoods. Nonetheless, implementation of such areas remains problematic.


Keywords: Ecosystem

Coastal, Freshwater, Marine


Keywords: Resources

Fish


Keywords: Big Issues

Biodiversity, Environmental law, Human-wellbeing, Resource use


Keywords: Solutions

Empowerment, Governance/Management, Local/Traditional knowledge, Protected areas, Public participation


Contributed by: Wayne Stanley Rice and Merle Sowman, University of Cape Town

The information provided and opinions expressed above are the responsibility of the contributor and do not necessarily reflect the views and analysis of the Community Conservation Research Network (CCRN), nor those of all members of the community described.

For any questions or comments on Communities in Action, please contact us here.