End of the line for drone fishing

South Coast anglers have had mixed reactions to the ban on drones, bait-carrying remote-controlled boats and other remotely operated devices in fishing operations.

The Minister of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE), Dr Dion George, welcomed the Supreme Court of Appeal’s ruling, upholding the ban two weeks ago.

In 2022, the DFFE issued a notice stating that it was illegal to use drones and remotely operated devices for recreational angling under the Marine Living Resources Act.

The department also raised concerns about the impact of the fishing method on marine life, as anglers using drones could catch large breeding fish that other shore anglers couldn’t reach.

Some anglers attach their line to a drone or remote-controlled device and drop it wherever they please, allowing them to cast much further and more accurately than it would be possible with a standard mechanical cast.

Environmental concerns

“This ruling is a significant victory for the protection of our marine ecosystems and the enforcement of regulations designed to safeguard our natural resources,” said George.

The Supreme Court of Appeal ruled that: “Firstly, the Marine Living Resources Act and its regulations not only specify the type of fishing activity, but also the method to be used in performing such fishing activity. Secondly, lawful fishing can only be authorised by means of a valid permit, and once an angler has this permit, they must adhere to the daily bag limits and the fishing methods specified in the regulations. Any deviation from these authorised limits and methods is unlawful.”

Previously, the Gauteng Division of the High Court dismissed an application brought by appellants, who were business entities involved in the manufacture, import, marketing, and sale of angling equipment, including drones.

The court confirmed that the use of drones and other remotely operated devices is prohibited under the Marine Living Resources Act of 1988.

In February 2022, a public notification was issued explaining that it had come to the department’s attention that a variety of devices, including but not limited to bait-carrying drones, bait-carrying remote-controlled boats and other remotely operated vehicles, were being used illegally by recreational fishers to catch fish and sharks.

“The use of these devices for fishing has been illegal since 2005, and recreational anglers and the public have previously been warned that they could face enforcement action should they be caught using such,” said George.

The department remains committed to the conservation and sustainable management of marine resources. “We believe that the ban on drones and remote-controlled devices in marine environments is crucial in preserving the delicate balance of our oceans and protecting vulnerable species,” said DFFE spokesperson Peter Mbelengwa.

Local angling take
Avid drone angler Niven Naicker said there is no scientific proof that this method depletes fish stocks.

“The government banned drone fishing because of the word ‘manual’. DFFE states that angling is a manual operation of rod and reel. Yes, we do have irresponsible drone anglers, but most on the South Coast abide by the rules, especially when it comes to certain no-fly zones. DFFE could have created a ‘drone anglers’ section and implemented a higher permit fee for them per year. This would eliminate the troublemakers if every drone fisherman has a valid license,” said Naicker.

Fishing trawlers a huge problem
Local fisherman Ian Logie said there is little impact from drone fishing. “Yes, some are catching sharks, which is based on catch and release, and most are responsible fishermen. What drone fishermen kill accidentally is a drop in the ocean compared to what fishing trawlers are taking. Government or DFFE should also take into account the amount of pollution from the rivers into the ocean and the negative impact instead of worrying about drone fishing. The Block in Port Shepstone is a famous fishing spot, yet for weeks or months, no fish have been caught. Something smells fishy. ”

For the ban
Eckhardt Potgieter: “The ban on drone fishing is a good thing, but there are also many fishermen who are overfishing and trawler operators plundering our oceans. At least I don’t have to worry about fishing on the beach now and watch a drone come over me with three or four baits attached.”

A fisherman, who didn’t want to be named, said the ban is good. “Many times, I have noticed these drone fishermen cutting their lines as they fail to get the fish out. These fish get tangled with the line and die. Not responsible fishing at all, and this gives us fishermen who have been fishing for years a bad name.”

HAVE YOUR SAY

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