FOLLOWING the City noting terrible abuse of the Bay, North and Dairy Beach piers, a decision has been taken to prohibit fishing at these spots. The various by-law transgressions noted include littering, public drinking, drug abuse, assault occurring between the fishermen, sleeping at the piers, the burning of fires and the assault of surfers with fishing equipment.

These were raised numerous times with the concerned parties but there was no improvement. Parks, Recreation and Culture Senior Manager Nomusa Ntshangase said that most of the fishermen were also found to not be compliant in terms of the National Environmental Management Act and had no valid licences, were catching undersized fish, and exceeding the bag limit. “Fishing is only allowed at certain beaches.

Fishermen should ensure that they are always 50 metres away from a bathing area to ensure they do not endanger bathers and surfers,” she said. She said fishing is only allowed at piers between Snake Park to Blue Lagoon. “Fishing is prohibited from 6am to 6pm at Umdloti and Point beaches and next to ski boat launch sites,” she added.