Parksboard - OUR BEACH'S

[polo]

Our right to drive on the beach has been taken away from us to the negative affect of small holiday towns like St Lucia. Now with the mouth open it has brought some much needed holiday makers back to the area and locals are smiling. The thing I don't understand is that the parks board may drive on the beach "doing their rounds" but not even getting out of the vehicle to check licenses or to control bag limits or size of fish!!! We saw hundreds of under size fish being caught and not thrown back!! THE PARKS BOARD IS SITTING 10m AWAY FROM THE CULPRITS BUT DOES NOTHING!!!!!!!!! Do we keep paying for a fishing license , do we keep supporting them when they do nothing?? Is this just another part of the new South Africa where no one gives a sh....?? After Easter weekend the fishing sucks because of over fishing in the sense that bag limits are not stuck too!!
 
Bring back our right to explore the beautiful coastline that God gave us!! Lets not sit back and watch as a fat politician takes this away from us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[NASH]

WELL SAID POLO

I MYSELF HAVE WITNESSED THE PARKS BOARD DRIVING ON THE BEACHES

TO ME THEY THEY LOOK AS IF THEY ARE ON JUST ONE LONG HOLIDAY AND NOT INTERESTED IN DOINNG THEIR JOBS

 

 

 

[Mornay Ruth]

Hi guys,

I share a different view on the topic. Despite the fact that I'm an angling fanatic and participate in all disciplines of angling,  I still support the ban of driving on beaches. You are 100% correct in saying that certain (not all) parks board officials are not doing their jobs. They are allowing many individuals to abuse the sport of angling.

We'll, I say thank God that's all they are abusing for now. Consider this: Those individuals who couldn't concern themselves with regulations on fishing, do you think they will suddenly change their attitudes toward the rest of the environment as well?? I doubt it very much. You will find them tearing up and down the dunes and beaches like heros, trying to see how well their 4x4's and bikes handle in the sand and not taking particular notice of the all the indigenous fauna and flora they are killing in the process. Believe me, I've experienced it first hand!

Well done to the "fat politician" who has stuck to his guns on this decision. At least one of them has done something right in my opinion. If the parks board officials are unable (or should I say "not bothered") to enforce the angling regulations, what makes you think they will be successful with controlling beach access for vehicles? Once again it's a matter of the few spoiling it for the many, but rather that than have no environment at all to appreciate at the end of the day.

Cheers
Mornay

ps. I'm not sure who gave you the impression that it is your right to drive on the beaches. It certainly isn't a right, unless you own the beach. Consider it more of a priviledge.

 

[Overwind]

Well said Mornay, I agree wholeheartedly with that sentiment - it is definitely a priveledge not a right.

 

[dalkill]

On the point of the "fat (or rather short-pantsed) politician", I doubt he even knows what he has put his foot down on. He is given all this info by his team of scientist, and they simply say no - based on their recommendations. Wonder if they even did the research. Would it not be easier to simply ban then actually do the research???

Then they take a place like St Lucia wetlands. Offcoarse the results will be in favour of the ban as to the sensitivity of the area. But take a place like Beespens, Macassar etc on the WC coast. Not a freeking bird in site. That bird would have to be crazy to lay an egg in such an area. Rather than a wheeler crushing it, I would say the drunks on the beach would rather eat it first. But I am expected to leave my R300K (I have no wheeler ;-)) on the other side of the dune and expect it to be there in one piece or if at all when I get back.

We do not want to abuse the environment, but safety is also a consideration. And pls do not simply say do not fish at 3am in the morning. That is as hipocritical as putting a blanket ban in place.

So why not put a permit in place for driving on the beach. Monies from this permit will be used employ officers to confiscate vehicles recklessly driven and keep an eye out for poachers. This permit can also only be acquired on passing a "responsible dune driving " coarse.

So there are ways of having both ways, but it's just too much work for the fat cats. We simply have to pay for their lack of willingness to think of alternatives. Same thing with the guns issue. It's easier to make it difficult for you to own a legal fire arm than to actually do somthing about the illegal ones.

But then again , that is the SA way. Give the pres a R700K increase while hundreds of thousands of SA live in poverty, and children get raped and killed etc, etc.
It's easier to make the country appear having growth by giving the fat cats bigger salaries than to actually spend that cash to promote growth.

And pls do not patronise (sound like the right word to use) me by saying "stop moaning.if you think positively , then maybe you will even win a test against us (Australia)" - FNB ad. I wish someone from Australia would say that to me at an airport or anywhere else. I'll give him a piece of my mind. :swear

Well I said my piece. All is entitled to their opinion, and this was mine. Sound a bit harsh, but like millions of others in this country we just sick of this country sliding into 3rd world status.

Apologies if I have offended

 

[Mornay Ruth]

Hi Overwind,

Your frustrations are shared by many, including myself, but we need to look at the whole picture. Yes, there are many of us anglers who respect and appreciate the environment. We value what is important for the present and the future, but, unfortunately, not everybody feels this way. There are those individuals who care only for themselves and have no regard for tomorrow. It's those individuals who make life difficult for the rest of us. Is it even necessary to do further research when the damage already done is so evident? One can clearly see the huge impact irresponsible vehicle use has had on beaches around the country, and how long it has taken for some areas to recover from this anihilation.

Consider, as well, that the parks board officials (most of them) are very dedicated to the cause. The down side is that their resources are extremely limited. To the vast minority of these officials it is merely a job, a form of income, and they do not share the same dedication and enthusiasm as their colleagues. Those are the guys that are creating the impression that "the parks board aren't doing enough". Very unfortunate indeed, but don't tar them all with the same brush.

I sit on the Richmond/Marianhill Conservancy committee and have established contacts with officers throughout the organisation. My former brother-in-law is one of the most senior officials in the KZN Wildlife organisation, and I have some good friends who are also actively involved. What I'm saying is, I see and experience first hand what is involved in conserving our environment so that our children and grandchildren can also have what we have now. It is by no means an easy task. They can barely cope with the current responsibilities, so by adding to their pressure of still having to regulate vehicles on beaches will just aggravate matters and make the public even more sceptical about the validity of the parks board as a successful organisation.

Give the guys a break and let's help them do their jobs. I've made enquiries to be signed up as an Honourary Parks Board Officer so that I can do my bit in helping them. The more eyes and ears out there the easier and more successful the officials tasks will become.

I'd rather not comment on the other political sentiments you shared as this will really stir up a hornets nest, but we understand what you are saying.

Cheers
Mornay

 

[Daryl Visser]

Hi guys.
 
I read all of the letters posted and still feel that some members of the parks board does jack squat to protect the beaches that has been taken away from us. How many of you have seen the "harvesting" of the mussels on the beach. Its not done in the legal or done according to bag limits or on size. The way its done is by a shovel and any size go's. When we where still aloud to be on the beach we never never ever did that type of destruction to our marine life!!! So what did the ban save in that sense??? Dalkill I feel you hit the nail on the head. We want to enjoy the beach and the great fishing that it produces, so we walk the 1 ,2 ,3 ............whatever klm to have a good day just to return to our vehicles that has been broken in to or stolen!!! like Dakill said , lets have a beach permit system. the money that it generates can employ more parksboard members that can control the beach like a highway. You stuff up and you lose your permit or your vehicle gets impounded and a hefty fine will see you get your car back!!!!! Why must we all suffer for the ones that cause the trouble. We are a country with laws so for ones can we enforce it??!!
 
I see where you come from Monray. The beaches will be kept in good concision and all the wild life will increase, but what good is it if no one sees it? The only ones that see it has a shovel in thier hands and thinks its a farm they can do on what he want!! The beach does not fall under the land redistribution program!!!!
 
We all have very good points and I respect all of the opinions.
 

 

[Patrick]

Daryl Visser wrote:

 We are a country with laws so for ones can we enforce it??!!
 

Darryl as you asked above, I think this is exactly where the problem with the issuing of permits for vehicles will come in. Who will be enforcing these laws to those that abuse it? If some idiot in a 4x4 is tearing up 35km's of some of those remote beaches up your way, I wonder who will be policing him?

I do understand the security problem with leaving your car unattended. Believe me! I've had my car broken into more times than I can count. But I personally still wouldnt want our beach creatures to suffer because of my material possession. Our crime needs to be tackled head on, not avoided by keeping our possessions under our noses at the cost of our environment. Its not our flora and faunas fault that this country is being run the way it is.

And for me, windows can be replaced, cars can be rebought.Thats what my insurance is for. Eco systems, once they are gone, they're gone.

Just my feelings on it and not meant to discredit anyone elses.

 

 

[wollychop]

A question. Does a Parks Board official have the right to ask to inspect a fishing licence if you have fishing tackle on your person but no fish?

I don't mind the ban on 4x4's on the beach. Is it not probable that with less people frequenting remote spots, fish stocks will recover somewhat due to such created sancturies? I would rather the crime issue was sorted out so that "die hards" could hike to producive spots and camp on the beach without fear of attack or returning to find ones' car gone.

 

[Daryl Visser]

I'm not to sure:dunno1

I think the law states that you have to be fishing or have fish on you to be asked to produce a license.

Thanks

D

 

 

[wollychop]

I agree, however the episode in question left a foul taste in my mouth because I was asked for my licence after having returned from a fishing ski session fishless - however the parkboard official neglected to ask a group of 6 locals the same. When I asked him why he was asking me and not them, he replied that he was quite entitled to ask who he liked and when he liked if they were in posession of tackle, regardless of whether or not they had fish.

 

[texas-john-slaughter]

hi patrick

you got it right this time, and now i can also agree with you.

yes if an eco-system is gone it is gone, a posession is insured or even if not, it can be replaced with difficulty but it can be replaced.

i also have a few 4 x 4 vehicles and i have been on many beaches, i do my best to use the same single route, to cause as little harm as possible, but at kosi bay i was totally disgusted at how some 4 x4-guys just drive where they like no matter what they destroy and there i decided that if it means that i can't drive on beaches anymore to stop all these other thoughtless and careless guys.... then so be it..!!  ill put my vote, and actions behind that politition so that no one can drive there myself include..............

i will sell my 4x4's ....and when i go down to the beach i'll put something stronger in my cigarette.... smoke it up..... and fly over..... just joking!!

i agree with patrick on this one only...

as long as he doesn't call me .....faan

cheers guys

texas

ps. we'll find a new place to play with our toys

 

[jace]

Hi Guys

With all said and done ....and all your complaining about the authorities and their lack of interest in conservation and up holding the law ..we all need to take a good and hard look at what we the 400 000 thousand angling community in South Africa are capable of.

During the open season with the 4X4 we decimated the dune structures and made beach users life hell.Races with these were the order of the day.Again not all were guilty but a few.

Yesterday I went down to the Blue Lagoon before my next appointment. The waves a few weeks ago cleaned up all the mess in the front. What I saw there yesterday was unused bait/bait boxes , lines ..etc... So if they want to impose restrictions on this fishing spot because of the harm the lines/hooks etc are doing to the bird and sealife...we are going to scream blue-murder again and blame the marine laws.What I did notice was that their were still plenty of empty bins .So I think we need to play our part as well. Lets be part of the solution and not the problem.

Rdgs

Jace

 

[dalkill]

I think we all in favour of conservation.

What would we do if all the fish was gone? But possesions aside. What about my life? Fishing at macassar at 3 am the morning, with the favourite spot , "die blok huisie" about 200 meters from the tar road at 3am the morning, I would feel much safer with my wheeler right next to me.

On two occasions, a buddy of mine was fishing here and once he was hitting the fish big time, and as he was putting them on the back of his bakkie, after a few throws returned to find locals from the squater camp over the hill  removing it. what could he do but pack up and leave. On the other occasion, he saw about 5 okes heading his way, put his rod in the rod holder and got the hell out of there.

I do not mind walking the 2-3 km , as we all could do with the exercise, but cases like these , what is one to do?? Not fish at 3am in the monring? Crime is not limited to arb hours like this anymore. 

I just have a problem with how all beaches are viewed under one umbrella as this is the quickest and easiest solution.

So the choice is break the law, face the fine, and have a better chance of survival, OR take the walk and possibly not walk back OR give up angling?

I'm seriously considering the last one. With all this strict rules and permits and red tape these days, I'll think it's better to go back to being a couch potato.

So why do we not ban all busses from the roads as they seems to be more unsafe buses than roadworthy ones? Surely we do not have enough officers to control all of this as well?
A bit of a tit-for-tat example, but the problem it would cause is much more than this solution solves the problem. But the case of the wheelers, it is a simply no-thought, no work needed solution - the SA way

 

[Mornay Ruth]

Hi guys. There has been some really strong emotion eminating from this discussion. Arguements from both sides of the opinion fence have validity and truth, but one thing is absolute... conservation of our environment is priority and must be regarded as such by everyone, no matter what methods are used to do so.

I contacted the KZN Wildlife office and spoke with the General Manager regarding policing strategies and possibilities. He explained that they will not consider authorising individuals from the public to enforce fishing regulations for several good reasons. He encourages anglers to rather assist the officials with this task by becoming active in reporting defaulters, or even going as far as becoming honourary parks board officers if you are willing to make the commitment. I am attending a meeting next week with the Parks Board officials to discuss this option.

In conjunction with this I was informed of an Anglers Forum which is hosted by the KZN Wildlife and meetings are held on a regular basis. Below is an email I received from their office outlining the details of the next meeting. Everyone is welcome to attend. I think this will be the ideal forum in which to raise all the issues discussed here. Let's show KZN Wildlife that we are serious about this issue and that we are willing to do what it takes to help conserve our marine life.

Cheers
Mornay

 
 
[align=center]

EZEMVELO  KZN  WILDLIFE[/b][/align] [align=center]Conservation, Partnerships & Ecotourism[/i][/b][/align] Private Bag X 3,Congella, Durban KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa 4013. Phone: 031- 2741150  Fax: 031 - 2741174                                       Cell: 082 552845      Email:woodj@kznwildlife.com
                                                                                                                                [/b]
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    KznWildlife
                                                                                                                        Private Bag X 3
                                                                                                                        Congella, 4013
 
                                                                                                                        11 April 2007
To: Chairman
 
KWAZULU-NATAL FISHING FORUM (Durban).
 
You are cordially invited to the next meeting of the KwaZulu-Natal Fishing Forum
Durban (Umvoti River to Umkomaas).
 
The last meeting held on 01 February 2007 was reasonably well attended, see attached minutes and attendance register.
 
The aim of this meeting is to identify user groups or individuals for future representation, and to establish guidelines and procedures to effectively run the forums, ensuring user group participation in managing our marine resources.
 
This meeting is to take place at the Ezemvelo KznWildlife Office, 3 Elton Place, Congella Durban on Thursday 03 May 2007 at 18H00 for 18H30.
 
Please submit any Agenda items by 25[sup]th  [/sup]April 2007, to either of the below .
 
We have confirmed attendance from Bruce Mann of the Oceanographic Research Institute.
He will give presentation on current research regarding stock status of 74.
 
 
For further enquiries contact :
Karl Bentley  Ph:031 – 2741152 Cell: 082 559 2843
Fax: 031-2741174 or email: bentleyk@kznwildlife.com
Or
James Wood Ph: 031 –2741151  Cell: 082 5592845
Fax: 031 – 2741174 or email: woodj@kznwildlife.com
 
Hoping for your participation.
 
 
George Nair Conservation Manager
South Coast Marine
 [/b]
 [/b]
                        [/b] [/b][/b]

 

[dalkill]

the reason for the strong emotions is that ,as i expressed before, this goes futher than just conservation. it's about safety of ones possesions and person.
I doubt there has been much of an uproar everytime the bag limit is changed. We accept it as part of conservation efforts.

I have contacted DEAT as well and all I get was " the decision is final" No democratic input. That's it. The DEAT has spoken. Have we not moved forward since the apartheid days?

Some interesting reading. DEAT right hand man ORI, guns down the notion of banning of vehicles on the beach. Some extracts:

Many of these 1994 policy recommendations were assimilated into the national regulations of 2002. These included:

• [font="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"]The zoning of the coastal zone to make provision for the protection of ecologically sensitive areas, historical and palaeontological sites and for various recreational activities.[/font] [/*]
• [font="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"]The introduction of a managed permit system to allow vehicles in specifically demarcated areas.[/font] [/*]
• [font="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"]The strict enforcement of controls.[/font]

[/*]
The original December 2001 publication of the draft regulations specifically identified the opportunity to create recreational-use areas (RUAs) (Regulation 5) where self-drive vehicular access would be possible by permit. Such RUAs were to be assessed in terms of ecological sensitivities, based on comprehensive EIAs. Accordingly, a number of applications were received and considerable EIAs were commissioned.

If the removal of Regulation 5 cannot be justified by environmental factors, then we feel that the total prohibition of ORVs in the coastal zone is not justified and as such we recommend that Regulation 5 is retained as part of the legislation.

 

[wollychop]

Howz this. A couple of days ago on the news it was mentioned that MCM was seriously considering allowing a local community in the Tsitsikama area rights to fish in the reserve. WTF!!!

 

[wollychop]

On the animal farm, all animals are equal, some are just more equal than others!

 

[Mornay Ruth]

Hi wollychop,

So true, man. Was that perhaps a quote from George Orwell's "Animal Farm"?

Cheers
Mornay