RECENT video footage of what appears to be a trawling vessel off the coast of Sodwana Bay, within the bounds of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, has caused much debate on social media.
Amid much assumption that the vessel was undertaking trawling activities within the proclaimed marine section of the park, vessel owner Gavin van der Burgh stepped into the fray to set the record straight.
‘These vessels are in transit between Cape Town and Beira… They are legitimately licensed in Mozambique after having undergone a R3-million overhaul in Hout Bay and fitted with the latest FADs to ensure sustainable fishing’.
Although Van der Burgh initially stated there was no fishing gear aboard the vessel, he later conceded the lines off the back were probably the skipper ‘pulling a single rapala for dinner’.
‘No trawling is allowed within the proclaimed park, which includes the marine protected areas. In terms of international maritime legislation, however, ships are able to make passage through marine protected areas,’ said Andrew Zaloumis, iSimangaliso Wetland Park CEO.
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Zaloumis confirmed a trawler, the Lauren Darya, was spotted off Sodwana Bay on 11 November, sailing in a northerly direction in a depth of about 450m, 5.95nm offshore from Jesser Point and 2.95nm outside of the marine reserve.
While not confirmed, this could be the same vessel as featured in the video.
‘SAMSA was alerted, SAPS border police arrived within hours at Sodwana Bay and Mozambican authorities also provided support,’ said Zaloumis.
However, the vessel had by that stage headed into deeper waters and was not found. Information received much later indicated the Lauren Darya had docked in Cape Town some days later.
Skippers operating from the marine protected area are encouraged to report illegal or suspicious boating activities to iSimangaliso’s 24-hour emergency line, 082 797 7944.
