Fishing Permits

[Fish Hooks]

Good Day All

Just got back from our weekend at Witsand, not a great weekend as far as fishing went and the weather gods did not help much,there were a few reports of fish around but all things considerd there were not many fish considering the amount of baits in the water,but great fun anyway.

Now to the unpleasant task of our fines with regarding fishing permits,there were 8 of us gathering bait (prawn) when a very nice ranger arrived to check our permits, needless to say there were a few of us that did not have them with us, well we got fined for having more prawn than were allowed with the 4 permits that were on hand. The ranger would not allow the other guys to go get there permits in the cars, so before ANY body has a lot to say about what happend those are the facts, bottom line is always have your permit with you as the law states or be preperd to be fined.

 

 

[Moyeni]

Fish Hooks,

If i am pumping sand prawn in Durban Harbour I always leave my permit in the car which is about 200m away.

What happens while you pumping bait and it falls in the water,you will then have a problem!!!!

Sorry but I would "NEVER" except any fine like that while I live....

::cavmn

 

[speartackle]

I would feel that the person issuing the fine would have to allow you to get to the high water mark.  Beyond that point is where you are out of the water.  This is based on maritime law only, I am not sure what MCM would make of it.

I keep my licence in a bankie along with a 2ounce sinker in case the wind gets hold of it.

 

[Fish Hooks]

Viper

We tried that 1 with the nice ranger but to no avail, they have a zero tolarance att, i suppose it could have been a lot worst and the guys that never had there permits with them could have found themselves in the back of a van and the whole weekend ruined. The fines could have been worst or we all could have ended up in the state hotel, not a cool idea. Technicaly we broke the law.

Guys we all have our own opinions when it comes to permits and how the law is applied and to who it is applied but i do not want to get into a debate about it, rather as a bit of info as to what to be carefull of in the future.

 

[Fish Hooks]

Speartackle i thought about that at the time but the prawns were in a box on the sand,it was spring so we were not above the high water mark, as i say very technical and at the time i was not prepaired to get into a debate with the ranger, rather wanted him to do his thing and get out of there so we could get on with our fishing. If we were thugs we could have run to the box and tossed the whole lot in the river, the ranger would have had a tough time catching them and proving that they were ours but as i say again we did not think we were breacking the law, Lesson to self, carry your permit at all times.

 

[Moyeni]

All I can say is "thank goodness I don't live in Cape Town"...

What happens if you are fishing and your license is in your tackle box and not on you? Do you still get a fine?

Don't make sense at all!!!!