Ban on all boat fishing in Dbn
2008-03-28 17:02
Durban - The National Ports Authority (NPA) is to enforce a rule prohibiting fishing from "vessels of every type" in the port of Durban, it said in a notification to all recreational boating clubs this week, the Mercury newspaper reported on Friday.
Port side police said on Friday that the prohibition had already been implemented and that no one was allowed to fish from any vessel.
They said anyone found fishing would face severe penalties.
The Mercury reported that the notice, dated March 25, said the prohibition was in the interests of "safe, orderly and efficient port working".
It added that law enforcement agencies had been advised accordingly and the rule would be enforced.
The newspapers shipping correspondent, Terry Hutson, said the law had always been there but had never been enforced.
She said of the 2 500 registered boats in the harbour - at least half were fishing vessels.
Many fisherman were reportedly outraged by the new rule, about which they had not been consulted.
NPA spokesperson Jyothi Naidoo was not immediately available to comment about the prohibition.
- SAPA