Perceptions of History and Policy in the Cape Agulhas Area: could History influence Policy on Small-Scale Fishing? By Tracey Lee Dennis Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements to the MPhil (Coursework) degree in Land and Agrarian Studies at the Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies, University of the Western Cape Supervisor: Dr. M. Isaacs i DECLARATION I declare that the thesis Perceptions of History and Policy in the Cape Agulhas Area: could History influence Policy on Small-Scale Fishing? is my own work, that it has not been submitted for any degree or examination in any other university and that all the sources I have used or quoted have been acknowledged by complete references. Name: Tracey Lee Dennis Date: November 2009 Signed: _______________ Supervisor: Dr Moenieba Isaacs (University of the Western Cape) ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank the following people for the part they played in the completion of this thesis: All the participants who so willingly shared their time, knowledge and passion for the sea; Dr. Moenieba Isaacs, my supervisor for her invaluable advice and inputs, even when she was supposed to be on maternity leave and Annelien Moller for her IT expertise especially with the photographs. Special thanks to Michael, the children and the extended family, including Marjorie (we will always miss you) and Leah for their continued understanding and support throughout my study period. iii ABSTRACT The principle aim of this study was to gain insights into the perceptions of the people living in the Cape Agulhas Area of South Africa on the issues of small-scale fishing and the historical claims to fishing rights of the communities living in the fishing villages of Struisbaai and Waenhuiskrans. A further aim was to identify the gap between knowledge and the implementation of fishing rights policies by analysing existing policies on small-scale fishing and thereby identifying possible lessons and guidelines for policy formulation. Key focus areas were the historical recollections of people, their knowledge of past, current and proposed fishing legislation and their opinions, recommendations and guidelines regarding new and proposed policies. A qualitative framework was used for this study, using key informants and the taking of life histories. The two fishing communities served as case studies and life histories were documented using semi-structured interviews. The study drew on previous research in historical practices and indigenous knowledge systems and special attention was given to scientific and archaeological research. The policy processes from 1994 to the present were described and themes were identified in the literature and the life histories. The study found that many of the methods used in earlier years is still used today, passed over from generation to generation. There is a concern that the indigenous knowledge is not being recognised by scientific research, that determines how fishing rights are allocated. Most fishers are dissatisfied with the policy making processes and recommended that their input and knowledge be acknowledged during policy formulation, especially towards a new small-scale fishing policy. iv Table of Contents DECLARATION ............................................................................................................................ ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................................................... iii ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................... iv OVERBERG MAP ....................................................................................................................... vii CHAPTER 1 ................................................................................................................................... 1 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 1 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY .................................................................................................... 3 Case Studies ................................................................................................................................ 4 Struisbaai................................................................................................................................. 5 Waenhuiskrans ........................................................................................................................ 5 Research Objectives and Key Questions .................................................................................... 5 Participants in the study .............................................................................................................. 6 Methods of data collection .......................................................................................................... 8 Field interviews ....................................................................................................................... 8 Narrative Records ................................................................................................................... 9 Procedures ............................................................................................................................... 9 Key Informants ........................................................................................................................... 9 Ethics......................................................................................................................................... 10 CHAPTER 2 ................................................................................................................................. 12 LITERATURE REVIEW ............................................................................................................. 12 Global overview ........................................................................................................................ 13 Indigenous Knowledge Systems ............................................................................................... 14 South African fishing policies .................................................................................................. 15 History of fishing in South Africa, South Cape, Overberg and Cape Agulhas ........................ 18 Pre-colonial fishing practices .................................................................................................... 20 The Malay Fishermen ............................................................................................................... 21 Archaeological evidence ........................................................................................................... 22 CHAPTER 3 ................................................................................................................................. 24 HISTORICAL SECTION ............................................................................................................. 24 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ................................................................................................... 24 Historical Background .............................................................................................................. 24 v Recollections ................................................................................................................. ............ 26 Origins of the community ......................................................................................................... 26 Forced Removals at Skipskop ................................................................................................... 27 Struisbaai................................................................................................................................... 28 Waenhuiskrans ................................................................................................................. ......... 30 First fishing ............................................................................................................................... 31 Fish traps ................................................................................................................................... 33 Nets ........................................................................................................................................... 34 Line fishing ............................................................................................................................... 35 Harders ...................................................................................................................................... 36 Division of labour and the role of women ................................................................................ 37 Indigenous knowledge .............................................................................................................. 39 Trompie’s Story .................................................................................................................... 43 CHAPTER 4 ................................................................................................................................. 47 TOWARDS A NEW SMALL-SCALE FISHING POLICY ........................................................ 47 Policy background and context ................................................................................................