Anglers advised to wait for fishing regulations to be gazetted
This, after almost 70 days of rods and reels gathering dust.
There has been a fair bit of confusion since it was announced that recreational fishing will be allowed under lockdown level 3.
This, after almost 70 days of rods and reels gathering dust.
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Albi Modise, spokesman for the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, earlier this week confirmed that hunting, fishing and self-drive visits to national parks are allowed during the third phase of South Africa’s attempts to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Anglers were relieved to hear that they may fish. Meanwhile, enthusiasts of individual sports have to interpret the regulations themselves to determine which activities are allowed and which are not.
The South African Bass Angling Association (Sabaa), however, suggested that anglers need to wait until the regulations concerning recreational angling and the restrictions it will be subjected to, have been gazetted.
It is important to know that all regulations on personal movement apply. This means that travel between provinces will not be permitted for recreational purposes.
The Department of Transport’s capacity restrictions, as gazetted, remain binding.
Many South Africans who practice individual sports remain unsure whether (and if so, how) they can now resume these sports.
During media briefings in May, the National Command Council indicated that Mthethwa would provide clarity, but none was given during his most recent address on May 30.
Minister of the Department of Justice and Correctional Services, Ronald Lamola, said that South Africans may exercise between 06:00 and 18:00, as long as they practice social distancing and do not exercise in groups.
Mthethwa clarified on the weekend that contact sports remain prohibited.
What about professional non-contact sports?
The regulations indicate that professional non-contact sports matches may be held subject to the lockdown regulations and may only include players, match officials, journalists and medicinal and television crews. Further information will be made available by the ministers of sport and health soon.
At the time of publication, no deadline had been announced for this to happen.
Am I allowed to fish from a boat?
According to the South African Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa), it was decided to issue a new marine notice that recreational boating will be allowed under level 3.
