ANGLERS have vented their frustration at the fishing ban currently in place at the uMngeni River Estuary and Blue Lagoon non-bathing beach.

They have called the ban ‘unfair’ and said they cannot understand why fishing was banned but paddling along the uMngeni River was not.

Last month the eThekwini Municipality banned recreational and fishing activities from the uMngeni Estuary to the Blue Lagoon non-bathing beach following the discovery of ‘sewage effluent’ in the estuary.

The decision to stop fishing was in accordance with a Coastal Compliance Notice issued by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.

Related story: Blue Lagoon fishing ban still in place

In the past two years, water quality tests along various sections of the uMngeni River have revealed just how polluted the river is with elevated levels of E.coli (sewage bacteria).

Some anglers who fish at the estuary, a popular fishing spot, say they will defy the ban, until more clarity is given by the eThekwini Municipality.

“I’ve been an angler since I was a little child. For the past nine years this spot has become my favourite,” explained Umgeni Park resident Wally Lunn. “I’ve never had an issue with anybody until this ban came into effect. What we cannot understand is paddlers use the uMngeni River daily, how are they exempt from danger but we as anglers, who have less contact with the water are not. It doesn’t make sense.

“The group I fish with, we are drop-shot and fly anglers, we don’t fish with bait and we catch and release everything. The municipality can’t event show us the E.coli readings for the estuary. We’ve now had cases where anglers who defy the ban are being threatened with arrest. Another inconsistency is the guys on rafts that use cast nets to fish on the river not being stopped or policed. They keep everything they catch, including juvenile fish.”

His comments were echoed by Ashraf Abdul-Hamid, another Umgeni Park resident.

“Will the Dusi finish be affected? We cannot understand how sewage effluent is only affecting the estuary mouth,” he asked in reference to the canoe race that takes place this month along the river. “I’ve been an angler for 20 years and this has become one of my favourite spots, because it’s close to home, convenient. This decision has impacted our pastime and we don’t understand how this is the only point that is closed,” he said.

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In its statement to Northglen News, City spokesperson Gugu Sisilana said anglers could face fines of up to R2000.

“The fishing ban remains in place as the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has not given any notice for its lifting. It must be noted that Blue Lagoon is a non-bathing beach. DFFE instructed the City to prohibit recreational and fishing activities from uMngeni Estuary to Blue Lagoon Beach due to environmental concerns pertaining to illegal waste disposal near the uMngeni Estuary and sewage discharge,” she said.

“The beach is patrolled by law enforcement departments to prevent fishing in the area and signage has been installed. Those who are fishing where there’s a ‘No Fishing’ sign can be reported to law enforcement on 031 361 0000. Offenders may be fined between R1000 and R2000,” she said.

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