Trawler gets too close to Aliwal Shoal
A Japanese fishing traweler was arrested for allegedly fishing illegally near the Aliwal Shoal.
Aliwal Shoal is a Marine Protected Area. According to media reports, the Koei Maru No 88, registered in Japan, but leased by local companies Ngumzamo Fishing and Ferro Fishing as part of a joint venture with Japan Tuna, was arrested on Thursday, 12 September for a variety of alleged transgressions.
Repeated attempts by the Sun to contact the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in Cape Town for details of the arrest failed.
The local companies who leased the ship have a permit to fish legally off the South African coastline for yellowfin, big eye tuna, swordfish and shark.
The Koei Maru No 88 and its sister vessel Koei Maru No 1 were often spotted off the Toti coast and concerned fishermen and conservationists set up a social media watch group to monitor them, while others tracked them.
One of the tracker was Toti resident, Donald Coxen, who informed the Sun of the fishing vessel’s close proximity to the coast. “I would like to know why these companies got licences to fish in our waters and why some Durban fishermen never did,” he said, in welcoming the news of the arrest.
