Foul sight on Snake Park Pier infuriates strollers
Snake Park Pier in North Beach has been a favoured spot for beach strollers on Sunday mornings until the recent unsavoury sight of litter and fish remains started to rear its ugly head. Culprits face a stern reaction from the municipality, even if it means closure of the pier for fishing purposes.
ONE Berea Mail reporter residing in the area has, over time, witnessed this horrid picture of decay. The pier, one of many fishermen’s lucky spots, sadly remains unkempt.
“Sunday mornings are quieter. No fishermen, less footprint. This is the time I would use to go to the pier for meditation and wave-gazing. This sacred moment has been painfully snatched from me. Foul dirt greets you as you approach the middle of the pier. The rails are covered in blood, guts and rotting bait (sardine-like fish), and the floor has become someone’s home where they sleep in broad daylight.”
“One can see unused cooler boxes, utensils, clothing, empty alcohol bottles, etc. I don’t understand how a pier cannot be kept clean by the users because rubbish bins can be seen from the start to the end of the pier,” the reporter said.
Also read: Fishermen stabbed, killed in alleged altercation at Snake Park pier
eThekwini Municipality’s Parks Department has condemned the behaviour of fishermen on this pier.
Gugu Sisilana, the spokesperson for eThekwini Municipality, said that there are piers that are open for fishing and some that are closed for fishing. The primary reason for the closure of some piers is due to non-compliance by fishermen. They are not compliant in terms of the National Environmental Management Act. Some issues include lack of hygiene, assault, sleeping in public, use of drugs and littering which impact negatively on tourists and beaches. As such, this has resulted in some piers being permitted for fishing and others being banned.”
Also read: UPDATE: More than 50 stolen pier railing to be replaced
She added that the Parks, Leisure and Cemeteries Department had a Law Enforcement Division that was working tirelessly with metro police to attend to these challenges. They have issued fines and made arrests, but there has been no improvement. Hence, fishing is not permitted on the following piers: Bay Pier, North Beach Pier and Dairy Beach Pier.
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