Page 119 - KBHA BULLETIN 3
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The fishing industry at Kalk Bay has never been a big financial enterprise. It is almost a
subsistence way of life but it is a means of survival for hundreds of people.
On the back cover of the book we have asked the question “How long can this Traditional
Way of Life continue against ever increasing pressure from a world governed by economics?”
In the book we have mentioned the many issues that have raised their heads at regular
intervals. One of them has been the cost of maintaining the harbour. Sometimes the harbour
was referred to as “a wasted asset”. On other occasions the fishermen were accused of being
heavily subsidised by the tax payer. These issues are not new, they have cropped up
throughout the history of the harbour, usually associated with a drive to establish some other
activity in the harbour.
Very recently the same kind of thing has cropped up again. “The harbour costs too much to
maintain” and suddenly the boat owners are subjected to incredible tariff increases, some up
to 500%. (This, I believe, is being reviewed.)
No one has been issued with a fishing license yet. These are, and have been for more than six
months, under review. It is all very unsettling and, with the escalating costs of maintaining a
boat, it is helping to undermine the very fabric of what this traditional way of life was built
on: the men, the boats, the sea and fishing; a place to learn about the sea, to learn about boats,
to learn about fishing, a chance to earn some money, to put some food on the table and feed a
family. At a time when so many people are without jobs we need a place like Kalk Bay
harbour.
There are new forces at play, there are new stakes being played for. There is uncertainty about
the future and it is time we should be asking serious questions.
Ask ourselves: Who would buy an expensive apartment near the harbour and not want a boat?
Would it not be very sad to see luxury craft take up the mooring places in the harbour at the
expense of the local boats? We have all seen Hout Bay and the fenced off areas allocated to
