Fishing License Increase Objections

[WalkersKiller]

Hi guys just received this email from sports trader, thought i would post it in case any of you wanted to write objections or complaints like I will be doing!

WK

"SAFTAD (SA Fishing Tackle Agents and Distributors Association) has issued the letter below regarding the porposed hikes in the cost of fishing licenses and asked members of the industry to respond to the invitation to submit comments/objections regarding the proposed levies. 

A few points to remember:

• Deadline for letters of objection to reach the minister is midnight February 28th (this coming Sunday);
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• Address to send letters: The Honourable Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs; Ms Buyelwa Sonjica; The Revenue Management Department of Environmental Affairs; Branch Marine and Coastal Management; Private Bag X2; Roggebaai 8012. Email: revenue@deat.gov.za;
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• [size=The new recreational angling fees were published in the Government Gazette 32898 dated 29/01/2010. ][/size]Notice 54 of 2010;
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• [size= A stakeholders meeting will be held with MCM in Cape Town on Friday February 26th at 10am. Anyone interested to attend must please RSVP by ][/size]February 23 (today) to Sandisiwe Mntonintshi; Stakeholder Engagement and Outreach; Department Of Environmental Affairs; Private Bag X2, Roggebaai 8012. Tel: 021 402 3181. Fax: 021 402 3362; Email: smntonintshi@deat.gov.za;
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• A study the University of Stellenbosch did on behalf of SADSAA in 2007 estimated that the recreational fishing industry contrbutes R18.8-bn to the South African economy. Read more;
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• The above-mentioned study estimates that there are about 850 000 casual, recreational surf/shore saltwater anglers (who will be most affected by the proposed levies) who consider angling as a hobby. They are not members of clubs or federations and are most likely to go fishing during their annual holiday.
  
  [size=[b]The letter to industry members from John Pledger, chairman of SAFTAD, reads as follows:[/b]][/size][/*]

[size=There is a ][/size]very serious problem relating to astronomic increases in licence fees proposed by the Government under cover of Government Gazette 32898 dated 29/01/2010 Notice 54 of 2010 refers. These increases are up to 600% in some cases. These increase have been tabulated in letter of objection number 5.

 I have also attached a summary of a meeting held in PE on these proposed increases. (Click here). 
   I have attached 5 different letters (Letter1; Letter 2; Letter3; Letter4; Letter5) that have been sent off to the Minister to give you an indication of what is required.
Feel free to use the information for your letter of objection. Your letter must reach the Minister before 23:59hrs on the  28[sup]th[/sup] February 2010. This is of utmost importance and is in your own personal and business interests.     It would also be advisable to ask your customers to do the same as if the Minister receives thousands of letters from individuals as against a few from the organised angling bodies it will be much more meaningful and should get her attention.  We as SAFTAD are going to use some of our accrued financial resources to discuss this and the ISIMANGOLISO Wetland Park legislation on the banning of Vertical Jigging in the areas under their control with Senior Council.
 Please be pro-active and act on this request immediately. [size=IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.][/size]
 [size=Yours sincerely,][/size]
John Pledger
Chairman SAFTAD
"

 

[fisher]

Thanks but this topic has already been discussed at length (see two sticky posts at the top of this section).

Anyway get those letters in if you haven't already...

 

[WalkersKiller]

I know the topic has been discussed in depth just did not know if anyone received this email with this contact info... Sorry for the repeat if this has been posted!