Suspect arrested for illegal fishing in Zandvlei estuary

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On Friday 10 July 2015, officials from the City's Environmental Resource Management Department and the City's Marine Law Enforcement Unit, together with Department of Agricultural Forestry and Fisheries officials, were called to Zandvlei estuary to arrest a suspect who was using illegal gill nets to net fish.

The suspect, who had gained illegal access to the Zandvlei Caravan Park the previous evening, was found in possession of three illegal gill nets, which when combined reached over 150 metres in length. Unfortunately, the suspect had netted 126 mullet, three garrick (Leervis) and one undersized white Steenbras. The nets, along with a fishing canoe and various other fishing implements used in the commission of the offence, were seized.

Illegal and destructive

"Illegal netting in the Zandvlei estuary has been an ongoing problem and the city would like to thank Mountain Men security for their diligent work in apprehending the suspect and alerting the authorities," said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Environmental and Spatial Planning, Councillor Johan van der Merwe.

"Gill netting is not only illegal, but extremely destructive and being in possession of a gill net is an offence in terms of the Marine Living Resources Act."

"We urge members of the public to please report illegal fishing activities to the City's Marine Law Enforcement Unit on 021 596 1999 so that together we are able to protect our natural resources and ensure sustainable fishing practices in our city."