Angler fined R4 500 for illegal catch
Illegal haul lands local fisherman in hot water with wildlife authorities.
A FISHERMAN was fined R4 500 after he was nabbed by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Officers for being in contravention of the angling bag and size limit on Shipwreck Beach, La Lucia beach earlier this week. The man was found with undersized grunter, as well as a number of shad.
According to Beachwood Mangroves Reserve Manager, Basil Pather, the size limit was set down to protect their numbers. The species has a minimum size of 40cm, and anglers may only keep five fish per day.
“He had a number of grunter which were undersized but also shad. However the shad season is now closed and every transgression in accordance with the anti-poaching laws means we charge anglers R500 per fish illegally caught.
The shad season closed on the 1 October and opens on 1 December and approximately 60 percent of all fish caught by shore anglers on the KZN coast are shad.
Pather said while most anglers had complied with the laws, there were several who were using servitudes to hide their illicit activity.
“Some of the most popular spots are Shipwreck Beach (La Lucia), Glenashley Beach and Peace Cottage (uMhlanga) but some anglers are using servitudes along the beach to hide their catches,” he said.
Pather added wildlife officers would continue their patrols and urged anglers to comply with the size and bag limits. Contact the marine anti poaching hotline on 083 380 6298.
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