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Regulars concerned about the laws governing fishing at Florida Lake

Fishermen who frequent the lake are concerned about their local fishing spot not being available to the public when fishing clubs utilise it as they see fit.

Fishermen who frequent one of the biggest lakes in the area are concerned their right to fish in a public setting is being violated.

Fisherman Berto Meyer asked who has the right to cordon off the lake and inhabit its public spaces.

He stated: “This is a public area, but once, sometimes twice a month the lake gets cordoned off and we are not allowed to fish.”

He added he has spoken to Jenny Moodley from Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) in April who explained no one is allowed to prevent them from fishing at the lake.

Gert Koetze, who frequently fish at the lake, stated that according to the people from the angling club, a section of the lake is cordoned off for the use of the club alone and the public is not allowed to fish there. He asked why it is necessary for the club to also cordon off the rest of the lake, which is a public area. He said they want the club to keep their competitions at their side of the lake and also give the public a chance to fish or make a space for the public.

“People come from all over to come fish. If it’s cordoned off, they have to turn around and return, which is unfair.

“The main concern is, we don’t care if the club comes to fish, but give the public a chance to fish as well, do not chase us away. Many people come fish here, we all need to enjoy the fish and we all release. They have their club grounds where we get chased away, so why do they want to chase us away where we are allowed to fish? It is wrong,” Koetze said.

Meyer raised concerns that it might be an issue of money, as the club receives money for the competitions, and the more space they have the more money they can get in.

According to Noeleen Mattera from JCPZ, “Our legal department thinks that JCPZ should not be involved in these matters as it cannot deal with them nor the authority.”

Wayne Goosen, chairperson of the Roodepoort Angling Club explained that their competitions only occur once a month, which is when they cordon off the lake and have an agreement with JCPZ as the club takes care of maintenance and repairs at the lake.

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