Live
play
  • News
    • Middle East
    • Africa
    • Asia
    • US & Canada
    • Latin America
    • Europe
    • Asia Pacific
  • Coronavirus
  • Features
  • Economy
  • Opinion
  • Video
  • More
    • Investigations
    • Interactives
    • In Pictures
    • Climate
    • Science & Technology
    • Sports
    • Podcasts

In Pictures

Gallery

In Pictures: How COVID-19 outbreak affected S African fishermen

Largely reliant on demand from China, a small fishing village in South Africa has to cope with the closure of markets.

A view of the houses built for employees of a fish canning factory that closed in 1969. They are located in front of a graveyard in a part of Steenberg's Cove called Windhoek. [Barry Christianson/Al Jazeera]
A view of the houses built for employees of a fish canning factory that closed in 1969. They are located in front of a graveyard in a part of Steenberg's Cove called Windhoek. [Barry Christianson/Al Jazeera]
By 
Barry Christianson
22 Mar 2020
facebooktwitterwhatsapp

Steenberg’s Cove, South Africa – Weeks before the first case of the new coronavirus was confirmed in South Africa, the fishermen at Steenberg’s Cove had already felt the devastating effects of the outbreak.

A small fishing village in St Helena Bay, on the West Coast of South Africa, Steenberg’s Cove is located some 150km (93 miles) from Cape Town.

Amid long-standing economic woes that stretch back decades, the members of the community in recent years have largely depended on small-scale fishing for their livelihoods, especially the four-month-long West Coast rock lobster (WCRL) harvesting season running from mid-November to mid-March.

However, the amount of WCRL allocated to the small-scale fishermen in the village decreases each year, falling to 64kg (141 pounds) in the current season from 86kg (190 pounds) in the year before, and resulting in a drop in income of more than $400.

According to Shamera Daniels, of the West Coast Rock Lobster Association, China imported 95 percent of South Africa’s WCRL in the 2018-19 season.

But this year, as the coronavirus outbreak in China forced the shutdown of markets across the country, the small-scale fishermen at Steenberg’s Cove were instructed by South African authorities to stop harvesting WCRL.

The members of the community found themselves without any income for more than two months. In order to feed their families, many defied the order and continued fishing at night for a fraction of the price they would otherwise be able to get.

To mitigate the effects of the crisis, the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries then decided to extend the harvesting season for an additional three months. Yet, it remains unclear whether prices will bounce back and whether fishermen will be able to recover their lost income.

In previous years, children would learn how to fish from their parents. These days, because of the dire state of the industry, people are more and more reluctant to have their children follow in their footsteps. [Barry Christianson/Al Jazeera]
In previous years, children would learn how to fish from their parents. These days, because of the dire state of the industry, people are more and more reluctant to have their children follow in their footsteps. [Barry Christianson/Al Jazeera]
Advertisement
In its heyday, the Steenberg's Cove fish canning factory employed most of the residents of the town. After it was shut down, many of its former employees slid into poverty. Today, there are few economic opportunities outside of the seasonal work offered by the struggling fishing industry. [Barry Christianson/Al Jazeera]
In its heyday, the Steenberg's Cove fish canning factory employed most of the residents of the town. After it was shut down, many of its former employees slid into poverty. Today, there are few economic opportunities outside of the seasonal work offered by the struggling fishing industry. [Barry Christianson/Al Jazeera]
Women from Steenberg's Cove and nearby towns fix trawling nets at Alnet, in the Sandy Point Harbour, a few kilometres from Steenberg's Cove. The net fixing season usually lasts for three months of the year. In addition to fixing nets, some women would do seasonal work in nearby fish canning factories. [Barry Christianson/Al Jazeera]
Women from Steenberg's Cove and nearby towns fix trawling nets at Alnet, in the Sandy Point Harbour, a few kilometres from Steenberg's Cove. The net fixing season usually lasts for three months of the year. In addition to fixing nets, some women would do seasonal work in nearby fish canning factories. [Barry Christianson/Al Jazeera]
As the coronavirus outbreak in China forced the shutdown of markets across the country, the small-scale fishermen at Steenberg's Cove were instructed by the authorities to stop harvesting West Coast rock lobster (WRCL). [Barry Christianson/Al Jazeera]
As the coronavirus outbreak in China forced the shutdown of markets across the country, the small-scale fishermen at Steenberg's Cove were instructed by the authorities to stop harvesting West Coast rock lobster (WRCL). [Barry Christianson/Al Jazeera]
Mathilda Papier is the authorised representative for Steenberg's Cove. Both her sons are small-scale fishermen. 'When there is fish they are happy, where there isn't fish they are happy. I can't see them doing any other kind of work. Their souls are in the ocean.' [Barry Christianson/Al Jazeera]
Mathilda Papier is the authorised representative for Steenberg's Cove. Both her sons are small-scale fishermen. 'When there is fish they are happy, where there isn't fish they are happy. I can't see them doing any other kind of work. Their souls are in the ocean.' [Barry Christianson/Al Jazeera]
A fisherman's house in Windhoek. Property developers bought the land in 2006 and later tried to have the residents evicted. The community opposed the eviction at the High Court, winning the right to stay on the land. [Barry Christianson/Al Jazeera]
A fisherman's house in Windhoek. Property developers bought the land in 2006 and later tried to have the residents evicted. The community opposed the eviction at the High Court, winning the right to stay on the land. [Barry Christianson/Al Jazeera]
Advertisement
Hyram Achilles and his daughter in their home at Steenberg's Cove. He does not want his son to become a fisherman because of the state of the industry. In early January, an administrative issue on the part of the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries meant that no WCRL could be harvested for a week, leaving him without income for that week. But shortly after the issue was fixed, the outbreak of the coronavirus effectively ended the harvesting season. [Barry Christianson/Al Jazeera]
Hyram Achilles and his daughter in their home at Steenberg's Cove. He does not want his son to become a fisherman because of the state of the industry. In early January, an administrative issue on the part of the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries meant that no WCRL could be harvested for a week, leaving him without income for that week. But shortly after the issue was fixed, the outbreak of the coronavirus effectively ended the harvesting season. [Barry Christianson/Al Jazeera]
Fishermen using small rowing boats are only able to bring in a small catch, and whatever is caught goes directly into their kitchen. [Barry Christianson/Al Jazeera]
Fishermen using small rowing boats are only able to bring in a small catch, and whatever is caught goes directly into their kitchen. [Barry Christianson/Al Jazeera]
Quinton Kamfer, Gregory Gregory Stofberg and Christian Adams head out to do nearshore fishing for WCRL. During the nine hours he spent at sea, they caught about 60kg (132 pounds) lobsters were caught, a good amount for the area they were in. The fishermen complained about not being able to fish in areas where the lobster is in greater abundance. [Barry Christianson/Al Jazeera]
Quinton Kamfer, Gregory Gregory Stofberg and Christian Adams head out to do nearshore fishing for WCRL. During the nine hours he spent at sea, they caught about 60kg (132 pounds) lobsters were caught, a good amount for the area they were in. The fishermen complained about not being able to fish in areas where the lobster is in greater abundance. [Barry Christianson/Al Jazeera]
Adams drops a net while fishing for WCRL. He is a third-generation fisherman as well as the chairperson of the South African Small-Scale Fishers Collective, fighting to improve the condition of small-scale fishermen. [Barry Christianson/Al Jazeera]
Adams drops a net while fishing for WCRL. He is a third-generation fisherman as well as the chairperson of the South African Small-Scale Fishers Collective, fighting to improve the condition of small-scale fishermen. [Barry Christianson/Al Jazeera]
'Our livelihoods come from the sea,' said Stofberg. 'We don't have any income. No fish, no pay.' [Barry Christianson/Al Jazeera]
'Our livelihoods come from the sea,' said Stofberg. 'We don't have any income. No fish, no pay.' [Barry Christianson/Al Jazeera]
Christian Adams prepares to leave his home to go fishing. Advocating for small-scale and indigenous fishermen rights is something he has been doing for a long time, and as much as there have been huge strides forward, fishermen still find themselves in an uphill battle. [Barry Christianson/Al Jazeera]
Christian Adams prepares to leave his home to go fishing. Advocating for small-scale and indigenous fishermen rights is something he has been doing for a long time, and as much as there have been huge strides forward, fishermen still find themselves in an uphill battle. [Barry Christianson/Al Jazeera]

More from Gallery

In Pictures: Inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th US president

President-elect Joe Biden and his wife Jill arrive in the US Capitol Crypt ahead of Biden's inauguration. [Jim Lo Scalzo/Pool/AP Photo]

Photos: Indians root for Kamala Harris, next US vice president

Painter Jagjot Singh Rubal gives the final touches to a painting depicting US President-elect Joe Biden, right, and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, left, in Amritsar, Punjab state. [Narinder Nanu/AFP]

In Pictures: Syrians scour refuse dump for survival

A child sifts through a rubbish dump near an oil field in the countryside of al-Malikiya in northeast Syria. [Delil Souleiman/AFP]

In Pictures: Troops, riot fencing and razor wire in Washington DC

Members of the National Guard patrol near the United States Capitol building ahead of US President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration, in Washington, DC. [Andrew Kelly/Reuters]
Most Read

What legal woes does Trump face as he begins civilian life?

Former President Donald Trump plays golf at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on December 30, 2020 [File: Marco Bello/Reuters]

US Senate to proceed with second Trump impeachment trial

Former President Donald Trump left office on January 20 but still faces an impeachment trial in the US Senate [File: Carlos Barria/Reuters]

After another Museveni ‘victory’, Uganda is at a tipping point

Elections billboards for Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni, and opposition leader and presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, are seen on a street in Kampala, Uganda January 12, 2021 [Baz Ratner/Reuters]

Filings reveal how the pandemic devastated Trump’s businesses

Former United States President Donald Trump's businesses have taken a serious hit during the coronavirus pandemic, records show [File: Carlos Barria/Reuters]
  • About
    • About Us
    • Code of Ethics
    • Terms and Conditions
    • EU/EEA Regulatory Notice
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Cookie Preferences
    • Community Guidelines
    • Work for us
    • HR Quality
  • Connect
    • Contact Us
    • Apps
    • Newsletters
    • Channel Finder
    • TV Schedule
    • Podcasts
    • Submit a Tip
  • Our Channels
    • Al Jazeera Arabic
    • Al Jazeera English
    • Al Jazeera Mubasher
    • Al Jazeera Documentary
    • Al Jazeera Balkans
    • AJ+
  • Our Network
    • Al Jazeera Centre for Studies
    • Al Jazeera Media Institute
    • Learn Arabic
    • Al Jazeera Centre for Public Liberties & Human Rights
    • Al Jazeera Forum
    • Al Jazeera Hotel Partners
Follow Al Jazeera English:rssinstagramyoutubetwitterfacebook
logo
© 2021 Al Jazeera Media Network