The allocation of fishing quotas is one of several issues that have been flagged at an Agriculture, Forestries and Fisheries Department summit in the Western Cape.

The two-day Somerset West meeting is focusing on vulnerable workers and farm labourers in particular.

When they stood up to address delegates, the voices of disgruntled fishermen rang out loudest.

A fisherman’s wife from Hout Bay gave an emotional account of how her husband struggles to provide for their family.

Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister, Tina Joemat-Pettersson listened intently to the testimony. She said a review of the fishing quotas would soon take effect and readdress past inequalities.

She described the Farm Workers Summit as the first opportunity vulnerable workers and fishermen have had to air their views in such a forum.

Earlier, President Jacob Zuma said for 97 years no government has effectively dealt with the challenges facing vulnerable workers within the agriculture sector.

(Edited by Aletta Gardner)