The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has on Friday, 6 November 2015, published a notice and regulations on the 6 November 2015 withdrawing the existing Dwesa Cwebe Marine Protected Area declared in stipulation 2(7) of Government Gazette 21948, Notice No. 1429 of 29 December 2000, and declared under Section 22A of the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003 (Act No. 57 of 2003). This will take effect on the 1 December 2015.
The new regulations designate three controlled zones in which any individual may be allowed to fish, subject to possession of a small scale fishing and/or recreational fishing permit from the Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF).
The amended regulations allows the DEA’s Minister to liaise with the Minister of DAFF to determine a list of fish species, quantity and size of fish and various fish bag limits applicable to any small scale fishing permit holder to ensure continued sustainability of community livelihoods while providing a sanctuary habitat for vulnerable and commercially significant species.
Recreational fishers are allowed to undertake catch and release fishing in the controlled zones and be allowed to keep one fish per day for a maximum of four days in a month.
There are three restricted zones in which any fishing is prohibited. Some of the vital vulnerable estuaries in this MPA form part of the restricted zones which will allow and improve protection to enhance fish recovery.
The notice and regulations can be found here:
For media queries contact:
Zolile Nqayi
Cell: 082 898 6483
