The move, which is cooperation between the GNCFC and the operators of the country’s two developed oilfields offshore, is to afford the two sides the opportunity to collaborate and share information for sustainable operations and peaceful co-existence within the maritime domain.

The regatta is an annual activity instituted by the council to enhance relationship between stakeholders in the fishing industry and oil companies working in the area, and raise awareness of fisheries regulations and other issues relating to the industry.

The activities are supported by the Jubilee and TEN Partners to demonstrate and deepen commitment to stakeholders such as fishers, host communities, traditional leaders, civil society groups, agencies, regulators and a wide range of public and private actors.

This year’s regatta, the organisers say, will not  see the usual boat racing and the funfair at the shore, but rather multi-stakeholder meetings that will focus on deep discussions about the industries going forward.

The engagement, which would be under the chairmanship of Awulae Amihere Kpenyile, the Vice-President of the Western Regional House of Chiefs, is expected to rally all stakeholders for a common purpose of arriving at offshore activities.

Speaking to the Daily Graphic, Nana Kojo's Konduah IX, and the Chairman of GNCFC –Western Region said “the engagements outlined as part of this 2016 regatta provides an important opportunity for the implementation of the Public Consultation Disclosure Plan (PCDP) by industry players.”

 Statutory

The PCDPC, he said, was a statutory requirement of the Jubilee and TEN Partners to report on the performance of public stakeholder and community engagement activities as  their commitment to the social and environmental management plan (SEMP) for the West Cape Three Points licence.

“The need for immediate and emergency engagements with stakeholders is urgently needed in view of recent changes in partners’ offshore operations, informed stakeholders, increased vessels and offshore activities and the resultant increase in interceptions.”

The opportunity

The focus, he said, would be on changes in Jubilee and TEN Partners’ operations to increase vessel movement, offshore activities, interception, the expanded safety zone and the management of confiscated fishing gears by regulators. (including upcoming seismic survey to be conducted in January 2017.

Nana Konduah said it was a great opportunity for industry players and the larger fishing community to discuss issues that would not only ensure sustainable operations but would also allow the stakeholders to receive presentations from the technical team of the Jubilee and TEN Partners to explain the offshore operations to participants.

Expected Outcomes

Some members of the fishing communities, who spoke to the Daily Graphic, commended the organisers, TEN and Jubilee Partners, for switching from the usual funfair at the beaches and boat race to more issues-based activities.