Rangers of the Lower Breede River Conservancy Trust (LBRCT), found fishing rods with live bait tucked away in the bushes past Groenpunt, two weeks ago.
Unfortunately, no arrests were made, in the no- night fishing zone.
Jason Oxley, Manager of the LBRCT, said later that day, several undersized Alikreukel were confiscated from a bait collector at the Blokke, who was subsequently fined.
Further down the coast, another fisherman was found in possession of two undersized Zebra fish and was also fined.
The Lower Breede River Conservancy Trust is an NPO and PBO that operates on the final 55 – km stretch of the Breede River.
“We are contracted in a Tripartite Service Level Agreement with both Hessequa and Swellendam Municipalities as their River Management by-law implementers.
The by-law exists to safeguard the area and ensure there is lawful recreational boating and fishing on the Estuary” explains Oxley.
The Breede Estuary is very large, and permanently open to the sea, leaving the final few kilometers of the river, to transition into a marine environment, supporting and sheltering numerous marine fish and bait species.
The Breede is also known globally for its recreational boating and watersport activities, including skiing, wakeboarding, canoeing, sailing and kitesurfing.
“It is our job to manage the recreational users in terms of safety and compliance with the regulations.”
LBRCT rangers are qualified officers who can enforce the Marine Living Resource Act (MLRA 18 of 1998), relating to the conservation of marine fish and bait species. This allows for foot and boat patrols to inspect anglers and ensure compliance.
At the Breede Estuary a night-fishing ban exists where no person may fish in the estuary between the hours of 20h30 on one day and 05h00 of the following day.
This legislation was promulgated to protect the Dusky Kabeljou, known as the Dusty Kob, whose population has nosedived to 1 and 5% of their original stock.
Therefore, rangers perform night operations to ensure compliance, in conjunction with CapeNature, the police (SAPS) and the Department of Forestry Fishery and the Environment (DFFE).
Please report suspicious fishing activity to the LBRCT via WhatsApp on 064 774 3862
Picture: Evidence of illegal night activity found by LBRCT Rangers.