Conflict and Struggle Over Fishing Rights in Lesotho’s Katse Dam
Fishermen in Lesotho’s Katse Dam allege police violence and mistreatment while enforcing restrictive fishing regulations by the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA). Incidents of violence, legal penalties for fishing violations, and the struggle for survival amid resource scarcity are common themes among local fishers. Tensions have escalated due to competition for limited fish resources, exacerbated by the operations of commercial entities like SanLei Premium Trout, raising critical questions about community welfare and sustainability in the region.
In Lesotho’s Katse Dam, local fishers are alleging mistreatment by law enforcement officials who monitor fishing activities under the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA). The dam is a key element of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, which facilitates water exports to South Africa while also housing a commercial trout farm operated by SanLei Premium Trout. Despite these claims, the LHDA refutes allegations of abuse against the fishers.
Pheello Seafo, a fisher from Likheleng village, recounts a distressing incident from last year where he was assaulted by police while fishing with friends. He contends that after police questioned their fishing methods and misidentified their gear, they were brutally beaten and left stranded. Fishing in the dam is critical for local livelihoods, yet stringent regulations and hostile enforcement practices have left many struggling for survival.
Another fisher, ‘Mathabo Thibeli, shared her own harrowing experience involving armed soldiers who accused her of stealing and subsequently assaulted her when she refused to abandon her net. This incident reflects a broader trend; many local fishers report violence, confiscation of their catches, and the imposition of fines under the restrictive fishing laws introduced by the LHDA, which dictate daily limits and prohibit commercial activities.
Community councillor Molise Mare noted the initial benefits of the dam’s construction, including improved market access, but lamented the subsequent restrictive fishing regulations imposed by the LHDA. These regulations limit the daily catch drastically, significantly impacting the traditional livelihoods of local fishers.
The LHDA has stated that the fishing regulations are designed to ensure sustainability, only allowing a limited catch per household to avoid overexploitation. However, rising demand has pushed some villagers to engage in illegal fishing practices, posing risks to fish populations. The LHDA emphasized that patrols are conducted to prevent illegal fishing, although allegations of violent encounters persist among the local populace.
Despite the assertions of the LHDA, incidents of violence, including beatings and other coercive behaviors, have been reported. Moreover, fishermen face difficulties in acquiring costly fishing permits, which further drives them towards illegal activities as they struggle to sustain their families under the weight of these regulations.
Conflicts extend beyond enforcement, as competition over limited resources has even led to violent confrontations over discarded fish parts from the commercial trout farm. Reports of stabbings during the scramble for these remnants underscore the dire circumstances many villagers face in sourcing food.
SanLei Premium Trout operates under a community benefit strategy, providing some discarded fish heads to locals as a protein source. However, competition has led to violence during these distributions. The controversy surrounding this charity has exposed the socio-economic tensions in the region, highlighting the struggles between community survival and corporate profit motives.
Meanwhile, LHDA officials, while acknowledging the complaints of local fishers, assert that any limitations on fishing are due to ecological sustainability and not a direct benefit to foreign businesses. Local community members, however, feel marginalized and accuse the government of allowing external entities to profit from their natural resources without due regard for local needs.
Finally, residents express concern for long-term sustainability and equity in resource distribution as they contend that without governmental support for community-run initiatives, their access to fishing will continue to dwindle.
The ongoing conflict between local fishers and authorities at Lesotho’s Katse Dam underscores a significant struggle for survival amid restrictive regulations and alleged abusive practices. While the LHDA maintains that these measures are necessary for sustainability, local fishers face hardship, violence, and the pressure to abandon their traditional livelihoods. The competition for dwindling resources has escalated tensions within the community, raising pivotal questions about equity and the rights of indigenous populations against corporate and bureaucratic interests. The plight of the fishers illustrates broader themes of resource management, local autonomy, and the socio-economic challenges influenced by external commercialization.
Original Source: groundup.org.za
