I had to go to East London to fetch tiles and driving over all the little rivers got me thinking ,do these guys have the right to deny access by the public to these beaches .Mtati River,Mgwalana,Mpekweni all have signs to this effect.I understand that these were once part of someones private farm,but that has long not been the case ever since these were given to the then Ciskie gov
No access
- Thread starter Mouldz
- Start date
This was discussed and is a current topic within the Border rock and surf scene at the moment too, we have a league in the area this weekend and for years there has never been a problem but after an incident with anglers from another province they have become very reluctant to allow access through the property, they have allowed it for Saturday but with a long list of conditions and the threat that if any one of the conditions are violated that they will prevent any future access for all non guests of the hotel.
It isn't only the Ciskei resorts but numerous places along the coast that feel that they own the rights to the beach and the rivers
It isn't only the Ciskei resorts but numerous places along the coast that feel that they own the rights to the beach and the rivers
The can't stop you fishing in the Estuary but they probably can stop you parking on there property. This may well pose a problem as we're else could you park?
That any owners or staff think that they own the river is ridiculous. If I was shouted at for fishing the river I would go ballistic.
We must however remember that we have to right to to fish our estuaries and rivers, however we have to responsibility to be it ethically and consider surrounding land owners.
Regards,
Richard
That any owners or staff think that they own the river is ridiculous. If I was shouted at for fishing the river I would go ballistic.
We must however remember that we have to right to to fish our estuaries and rivers, however we have to responsibility to be it ethically and consider surrounding land owners.
Regards,
Richard
not sure what the story is in East London but soulfly summed it up.. i fished langebaan last week and theere are signs all over the place about private property for those that know the area etc but we just walked past the sign and went and got bait.. there were other fisherman as well as beach goers that were using that stretch of beach that is private so to say lol.
What worries me is how these guys came to own these prime spots ,these were once farms before they were given to the Ciskie ,and now after 1994 some of these little river mouths have become private resorts with a few selfish owners blocking off the access roads.do they own this land and if so from whom did they purchase it.
killer strepie
Sealiner
Occie wrote:
With all the laws and regulations that were changed over the years...........we are slowly but surely losing the rights to enjoy and explore our beautiful country. There are places(fishing spots) that the normal South African will never see in there life.
The closing off some places are most probably our fault...........some were close in the name of research........
The price of petrol also sank the normal South African to explore other counties.......
The only thing that I would really like is to take my son to all the local places I have fished...............and I know that to take him there I must brake some laws.........and with this I am fighting with myself.
There was a article in the Tight Lines about public acces to beaches............what I can remember the munisipality must make acces roads for the public.......every x amount km.
With all the laws and regulations that were changed over the years...........we are slowly but surely losing the rights to enjoy and explore our beautiful country. There are places(fishing spots) that the normal South African will never see in there life.
The closing off some places are most probably our fault...........some were close in the name of research........
The price of petrol also sank the normal South African to explore other counties.......
The only thing that I would really like is to take my son to all the local places I have fished...............and I know that to take him there I must brake some laws.........and with this I am fighting with myself.
There was a article in the Tight Lines about public acces to beaches............what I can remember the munisipality must make acces roads for the public.......every x amount km.
Interesting question.Probably a few shady deals over the years like a lot of the houses built in the transkei.Think they should all opperate similar to kasouga where access is controlled to prevent trouble makers from entering but they dont have a hassle letting you go thru to go fishing or go to the beach.
Marthin
Sealiner
When Mouldie raised this question in 2010, i had this email at the stage:
The Department of Environmental Affairs is conducting an audit of access ot coastal property as well as illegal structures etc.
They are contactable on cppaudit@environmen.gov.za
If people have had access refused or reduced by illegal structures, then the department would like to know.
I do not know what happened to this since
I know that some court case was won that the gravel road between gouritz and stilbaai needs to be opened again, But not far up that road you again can get no access to the ocean, because of private land.
The Department of Environmental Affairs is conducting an audit of access ot coastal property as well as illegal structures etc.
They are contactable on cppaudit@environmen.gov.za
If people have had access refused or reduced by illegal structures, then the department would like to know.
I do not know what happened to this since
I know that some court case was won that the gravel road between gouritz and stilbaai needs to be opened again, But not far up that road you again can get no access to the ocean, because of private land.
G
Guest
Guest
Gents - here is a slightly different viewpoint.
Go and look at the post by Tuna on the state in which anglers leave some fishing spots. Now that is not all anglers but it is some of us - and I say us because we are in this together.
If it were me and I owned a resort such as the ones described above - I would not allow anglers access - and I am as avid and angler as you will find.
I will give you a first hand example - I grew up in Knysna and was privileged to fish a number great places. One such place was the area east of the Heads eanding at Knoetzie. My dad was a vet and a good friend of the John Duthie - the farmer who owns the lands. We have keys to all of his gates. John used to allow access to a number of different anglers over his land to fish this area. This was until one day he was out on his land and watched how a bunch of guys were driving all over his veld chasing sheep in their bakkie. He drove to the camp were they had been and saw that they had also thrown a bunch of Black Label 750ml bottles all over his veld. He changed all of his locks the next day and now access is limited to only people he knows well and personally grants permission.
The truth is that amongst us there are pigs and they will continue to make it difficult for the rest of us.
Also look at the Haai Slagter post. These are club and possibly provincial anglers. Voelklip is one of those special angling spots. After the slaughter of those sharks that place will stink and be full of flies for weeks. If it were me - I would ban angling there.
We as anglers need to take a good look at ourselves. The sad thing is that we will be judged by the behaviour of the lowest common denominator and while there are such people involved in our sport - we will suffer.
In the Southern Cape there are prominent club anglers that catch and sell sharks and edibles. Everyone knows who they are and yet it continues. I fished league there for a year or two. Take a walk down the beach after a league and see what is left on the beach. That some places still allow the leagues access is a miracle. Many beaches have banned people walking their dogs because of what they leave behind. Is it then surprising that with the mess left behind by anglers that they are also not welcome.
Until we can look in the mirror and be proud to be an angler - we do not have a leg to stand on.
Go and look at the post by Tuna on the state in which anglers leave some fishing spots. Now that is not all anglers but it is some of us - and I say us because we are in this together.
If it were me and I owned a resort such as the ones described above - I would not allow anglers access - and I am as avid and angler as you will find.
I will give you a first hand example - I grew up in Knysna and was privileged to fish a number great places. One such place was the area east of the Heads eanding at Knoetzie. My dad was a vet and a good friend of the John Duthie - the farmer who owns the lands. We have keys to all of his gates. John used to allow access to a number of different anglers over his land to fish this area. This was until one day he was out on his land and watched how a bunch of guys were driving all over his veld chasing sheep in their bakkie. He drove to the camp were they had been and saw that they had also thrown a bunch of Black Label 750ml bottles all over his veld. He changed all of his locks the next day and now access is limited to only people he knows well and personally grants permission.
The truth is that amongst us there are pigs and they will continue to make it difficult for the rest of us.
Also look at the Haai Slagter post. These are club and possibly provincial anglers. Voelklip is one of those special angling spots. After the slaughter of those sharks that place will stink and be full of flies for weeks. If it were me - I would ban angling there.
We as anglers need to take a good look at ourselves. The sad thing is that we will be judged by the behaviour of the lowest common denominator and while there are such people involved in our sport - we will suffer.
In the Southern Cape there are prominent club anglers that catch and sell sharks and edibles. Everyone knows who they are and yet it continues. I fished league there for a year or two. Take a walk down the beach after a league and see what is left on the beach. That some places still allow the leagues access is a miracle. Many beaches have banned people walking their dogs because of what they leave behind. Is it then surprising that with the mess left behind by anglers that they are also not welcome.
Until we can look in the mirror and be proud to be an angler - we do not have a leg to stand on.
All it takes is for a few neighbouring farmers on the coast to say no entry and they can block access to a beach stretch for 100km or more!!! We will never be able to fish large stretches of beach soon. This must be stopped, before it gets out af hand! I've started experiencing same problems with people living on rivers and estuary! They think its their private water's edge! 
Haakies,
I agree that some fishermen have spoiled it for others. I also understand that the owners of resorts want to protect there investment.
However I think that there needs to be a middle ground. Perhaps anglers should sign in at the resort prior to fishing. In doing so the resort would be able to monitor (somewhat) who is causing destruction if any. The Kasouga example is a very good one.
I also feel that the owners somehow feel that they have gained "ownership" of the Estuary or Sea by prescription. This however is not possible as you cannot gain state land through prescription.
When I move back to the Eastern Cape I will be going to try and access these waters as soon as I arrive. If I am denied access illegally I will take action against whoever stops me.
I don't want other sealiners to think that I have a "bugger them" attitude. I feel that as a responsible angler, tax payer and citizen of this country I should be allowed to enjoy the land which we all own. In saying that I will not be doing it at the expense of the environment or landowners.
Regards,
Richard
I agree that some fishermen have spoiled it for others. I also understand that the owners of resorts want to protect there investment.
However I think that there needs to be a middle ground. Perhaps anglers should sign in at the resort prior to fishing. In doing so the resort would be able to monitor (somewhat) who is causing destruction if any. The Kasouga example is a very good one.
I also feel that the owners somehow feel that they have gained "ownership" of the Estuary or Sea by prescription. This however is not possible as you cannot gain state land through prescription.
When I move back to the Eastern Cape I will be going to try and access these waters as soon as I arrive. If I am denied access illegally I will take action against whoever stops me.
I don't want other sealiners to think that I have a "bugger them" attitude. I feel that as a responsible angler, tax payer and citizen of this country I should be allowed to enjoy the land which we all own. In saying that I will not be doing it at the expense of the environment or landowners.
Regards,
Richard