Durban – Despite about 100 people being arrested for recreational fishing transgressions on Durban’s coast in the past year, the “light” suspended sentences handed down by the courts were not a deterrent, according to Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.
Spokesman, James Wood, said the organisation’s officers had apprehended two Durban fishermen and the skipper of a fishing charter vessel who were convicted and given various fines, suspended for five years, about two weeks ago.
Wood said police and Ezemvelo officers had searched the vessel, V Cat Too, at its Wilson’s Wharf mooring in July.
“There were people on the vessel and more than 100 fish were found in excess of the total allowed bag limit for anglers. Some of the fish were hidden on the vessel while more than 20 were undersized.”
Anglers R Pillay, 25, of Bonella, and Nick Gresse, 23, of North Beach, pleaded guilty to catching more than the total daily bag limit.
Both are said to have since left Durban. Gresse had more than 10 fish, as well an East Coast rock lobster, and was fined R5 000.
Pillay had 148 fish, of which 17 were undersized. He was fined R20 000 while the skipper was charged under the Merchant Shipping Act for failing to fill in the launch register before taking off to sea, and was fined R1 000……
Full Article here: ‘Light’ illegal fishing fines condemned.
