Crayfish season kicks off in the Cape

Published Nov 13, 2015

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Cape Town - The West Coast rock lobster season kicks off on Sunday and the City of Cape Town authorities have warned that it was ready to clamp down on any illegal fishing activities.

In a statement, the City urged fishermen to make the right catch during the 2015/2016 West Coast rock lobster (WCRL) season and said its Marine and Environmental Law Enforcement unit was ready to act against anybody who flouted regulations.

During the season, recreational fishermen are permitted 21 designated days to catch a quota of four WCRL per day. Fishermen were encouraged to comply with the Marine Living Resources Act regulations to avoid being on the wrong side of the law. The season closes on 28 March 2016.

The City said: “As part of the City of Cape Town’s ongoing commitment to marine and environmental sustainability, a high visibility multi-agency policing operation will be conducted for the opening of the West Coast rock lobster season over the weekend.”

The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, said: “We strongly urge all recreational fishermen to obtain the necessary permit to fish and to ensure that they are familiar with the regulations, restricted areas and daily bag and size limits for all recreational fishing species, in order to avoid facing prosecution.

“Members of the public are also reminded that they are required to comply with the Small Vessel Regulations when launching a vessel from the City’s slipways. It is critically important that skippers ensure that all safety equipment is on board, up to standard and operational.”

The City warned that survey certificates, buoyancy certificates and skippers tickets should be available for inspection at all times and that all vessels had to have the required safety equipment on board for the class of vessel before launching.

“Those who plan on diving or fishing from a paddle craft are urged to take note of the prevailing wind and sea conditions and the state of the tides.”

The City said the slipways at Kommetjie, Witsands and Millers Point would be monitored during the season and permits and catches would be checked and recorded, while vehicle and foot patrols would be conducted along the coastline and vessel patrols would cover the inshore coastal areas.

The regulations include:

*Recreational WCRL fishermen require a permit to fish. These are obtainable from their nearest South African Post Office. Only persons over the age of 12 years may obtain a permit

*There is daily bag limit of four West Coast rock lobsters per person per day for the duration of the fishing season. The size restriction is 80 mm carapace length

*Fishing times for WCRL will be from 8am until 4pm. Catches must be landed before 4pm

*No person catching WCRL with a recreational fishing permit may sell their catch and any WCRL caught, collected or transported must be kept in a whole state

The City said fishing for WCRL would only be allowed on the following dates:

*15 November 2015 (1 day)

*21 - 22 November 2015 (2 days)

*28 - 29 November 2015 (2 days)

*5 - 6 December 2015 (2 days)

*12 - 13 December 2015 (2 days)

*19 - 20 December 2015 (2 days)

*26 - 27 December 2015 (2 days)

*2 - 3 January 2016 (2 days)

*9 - 10 January 2016 (2 days)

*25 - 28 March 2016 (4 days)

The City said it would work with other agencies including Table Mountain National Park’s Marine Unit, the South African Police Service’s Border Police and the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to enforce regulations.

“It is critical for fishermen and the various spheres of government to work together and to take responsibility for preserving and protecting our marine heritage,” the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Environmental and Spatial Planning, Johan van der Merwe said.

“For this reason, it is of utmost importance that fishermen adhere to the gazetted regulations stipulated for the season. Law enforcement units will be out in their numbers to patrol and conduct joint operations throughout the season to ensure that fishermen are complying with regulations. The City is calling on members of the public to report any illegal activity to the City’s Law Enforcement control room so that together we can clamp down on unlawful behaviour and protect and preserve our marine life.”

Reports of any illegal activity during the season can be directed to the City’s Law Enforcement control room on 021 596 1999.

African News Agency

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