As a recreational fisherman, I fully support initiatives to combat the over exploitation of our natural sea resources. I fully support catch bag limits and strongly opposed to illegal fishing.

In the Gazette posted 3 February the Minister of Environmental Affairs wants to completely close off a fishing area and wants to do so with no proven scientific reasons. The fish we recreational (and commercial) fisherman target do not breed in this area and do not hang around the whole year.

I support a controlled area and not a completely closed off area. Allow fisherman to fish and monitor the bag / catch limits. Stop the trawling in the area and the trek netters that indiscriminately catch juvenile fish.

Spend the time and money on law- enforcement and impound illegal fishing and pouching boats. Create a communication channel with us fisherman to be able to report illegal fishing activities and then act on it.

I therefore urge fellow fisherman that catch commercial or recreationally to support this petition against the establishment of an area that completely bans fishing in the areas indicated in the Government Gazette of 3 February 2016.

Please see link below and review pages 222 - 233

https://www.environment.gov.za/sites/default/files/gazetted_notices/nempaa57of2003_draftregulations_newproposedmarineprotectedarea1_gg39646.pdf