Fishermen taking over Virginia pier
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife officers have noticed an increase in anglers flouting the catch size limit for smaller fish species off Virginia's new pier.
BASIL Pather, conservation manager at the Beachwood Mangroves Nature Reserve, has warned anglers fishing off the newly constructed Virgina pier they may be fined up to R1 000 for catching fish well below the legal size limit.
The new pier, which is part of the culvert project, extends 50 metres out to sea, and during its construction engineers said no fishing would be allowed off it.
However, there has been no official ruling on whether fishing is allowed off the pier.
Pather said fellow Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife officers had noticed an increase in anglers flouting the size limit for smaller fish species.
“Daily, there are about 40 fishermen who frequent the pier. They are catching smaller fish and using them for bait. Every time an officer approaches the pier there is a flurry of activity with most anglers saying the rod or the tackle was not theirs.
“We’ve seen some anglers surreptitiously using their feet to tip over buckets of small fish back into the sea, or kick over what’s left of their bait to deny any responsibility. We’ve also had an issue with anglers illegally poaching shad and burying them in the sand to avoid being fined,” Pather said.
Anglers caught with fish below the catch size limit can be fined as much as R1 000.
“It may not be a major problem now, but in time fishing off the pier will cause a number of problems for beach goers,” Pather explained.
Durban North ward councillor, Shaun Ryley, said he was also told by engineers during the Virginia Beach pier constructuion that fishing would not be allowed off it.
“A joint task team needs to be set up between Ezemevelo KZN Wildlife and the municipality in order to set out whether the pier can or cannot be used for fishing. During its construction, the engineers said no fishing would be allowed off it. However, they have no authority over the matter,” Ryley said.
