Minister to remove wrecks from small SA harbours after outcry by fishers

In many small fishing harbours derelict and abandoned vessels clog moorings, pose safety risks and symbolise decades of government inaction. After facing fierce criticism from fishing communities during his recent Fishing for Freedom imbizo, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Dion George has announced urgent action to remove them.

George said this week that his department, in partnership with the South African Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa), has initiated a clean-up campaign targeting wrecked vessels across several proclaimed fishing harbours. These include Hout Bay, Gordon’s Bay, Lamberts Bay, Saldanha Bay and St Helena Bay. 

Under the authority of the Wreck and Salvage Act, vessel owners have been served notice: remove your sunken boats by 16 June 2025 or the government will do so – at your expense.

“For too long, these derelict vessels have been a blight on our harbours, endangering our marine environment and the safety of those who rely on these waters,” George said in a statement. “I am committed to reversing this legacy of neglect and ensuring our coastal infrastructure supports both environmental sustainability and economic prosperity.”

A tipping point in Hout Bay

The announcement comes less than a month after a stormy public imbizo in Hout Bay, where the minister was met with frustration, anger and desperation from fishers, harbour tenants and community leaders. The gathering, part of a nationwide tour to engage with coastal fishing communities, was meant to focus on fishing rights, but quickly turned into an informal referendum on government harbour neglect.

In Hout Bay harbour, the minister was greeted by the smell of raw sewage, sagging buildings and boats bobbing beside others that had already sunk. Entire sections of the quay wall were collapsing and critical infrastructure – from water and electricity supplies to slipways and lighting – was non-functional. Derelict warehouses like the Bluefin building stood abandoned, providing shelter for squatters and rodents rather than economic opportunity.

Fishers and business owners accused the government of abdicating responsibility. Sean Walker, a prominent figure in the local fishing industry, delivered a blunt warning: “We don’t have much more time. This harbour is in a sorry state of repair. It’s threatening not just businesses, but an entire working-class economy that’s been holding on by its fingernails.”

Long promises, little delivery

Justin Strong, who heads the Hout Bay Harbour Tenants Association and runs the well-known seafood eatery Snoekies, echoed the sentiment.

“I’ve been attending meetings like this for 15 years,” he told the minister. “We’ve had millions spent on feasibility studies and spatial frameworks. But nothing from those plans has been implemented. Not one thing.”

Strong detailed how tenants were forced to install their own lighting, clean up rubbish at their own cost and attempt to secure areas where break-ins had become commonplace.

“We light up the parking lot with six spotlights because otherwise it’s pitch-dark,” he said. “There’s no meaningful security. We’ve had three break-ins at Snoekies just this past month.”

As for the harbour’s crumbling infrastructure, Strong pointed to a bureaucratic tug-of-war between the Department of Public Works and the Department of Fisheries, which has left maintenance efforts paralysed. “Each says the other is responsible. Meanwhile, nothing gets fixed,” he said.

George acknowledged this confusion. “I wasn’t even sure myself who manages the toilets,” he commented to the crowd.

He pledged to raise the issue directly with the minister of public works and proposed the creation of a liaison forum to ensure future communication is direct and accountable.

But many in attendance were sceptical. Kobus Poggenpoel, a generational fisher from Kalk Bay, voiced frustration over the cycle of promises. “Maybe setting up yet another forum may work, maybe not,” he said. “Every year politicians come and talk about transformation and integration, but nothing happens.”

A first step – or more talk?

Against this backdrop, the announcement of the wreck removal campaign will be cautiously welcomed by harbour users – as long as it’s seen through. The presence of abandoned vessels has been a long-standing concern, not only because they take up valuable mooring space, but because they often leak oil, attract crime and create physical hazards for active fishers.

“This is one of the easiest wins,” said Walker. “You don’t need a five-year spatial framework to raise a sunken boat.”

George’s directive is specific: under Marine Information Notice MIN 08-25 issued by Samsa, owners of the identified wrecks must remove them by 16 June 2025. After that, the state will step in and remove them, recovering the costs from the owners as allowed under the Act.

“This initiative reflects Minister George’s dedication to rolling back the ills of the past and restoring the integrity of South Africa’s coastal infrastructure,” the department said.

“The removal of these wrecks will enhance the safety of harbours, protect marine biodiversity and support the livelihoods of communities that depend on these waters.”

George added: “By removing these wrecks, we are safeguarding our oceans for future generations and creating safer, more sustainable hubs for maritime activities.”

Beyond boats

For the Hout Bay fishing community, the derelict vessels are only one part of a much broader crisis. The most immediate needs are often depressingly basic: working toilets, running water, secure lighting and functioning pumps.

“We’re being held back by things that are fixable,” Walker stressed during the imbizo. “We can’t control the sea. We can’t control the weather. But we can fix a pump. We can fix a light. We can fix a jetty. And if we don’t, we’ll lose it all.”

Many speakers called for better interdepartmental coordination. “Bring Public Works and Fisheries together,” Walker urged. “Two ministers, two key officials, in one room. No more feasibility studies, no more five-year frameworks. Just a concrete plan.”

Regan James, a local activist, pointed out that the rot is not just physical but symbolic. “This harbour is a reflection of how our community is treated. It’s not just about fishing – it’s about dignity. It’s about survival.”

He also raised concerns about small-scale fishing allocations, suggesting that quotas are often poorly matched to the realities on the ground. “You can’t catch a sardine on a handline,” he quipped. “You gave us a basket we can’t even catch.”

George’s response to these grievances was measured, if at times constrained. He spoke of the international respect afforded to South Africa’s fisheries scientists, but also acknowledged the resource challenges his department faces.

“We’ve gone from 700 staff to fewer than 400,” he said. “And I’m managing 261 ongoing court challenges related to fishing rights.”

But he expressed a wish: “I want to walk through this harbour in the future and see that it’s been fixed. Otherwise I’ll know I failed.”

The wreck removal directive, while not a comprehensive fix, may prove to be the first visible sign of this wish. It’s an important test. DM