The challenges at the Post Office have a silver lining for some. Fishermen can now buy a licence directly from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, online.
Speaking about the permit, the Minister of Environmental Affairs, Barbara Creecy, said, “the online permit will enable enthusiastic recreational fishers and members of the public to easily access a permit, without having to travel distances to find a Post Office.”
Anglers were struggling to access the link when it was initially launched in October, this includes some in False Bay.
One angler in KZN, advised his peers, to be careful to not create multiple applications by accident. “Don’t accidentally create multiple applications. You cannot delete them and the payment section enforces paying for all applications.”
According to Statistics SA, hake is the most consumed fish in South Africa.
South Africa’s fishermen include industrial, small scale, subsistence and recreational.
Link to the online application: https://fishing.dffe.gov.za