Hefty fine for Richards Bay fishermen

Two local anglers were last week handed down a hefty fine of R50 000 each in the Richards Bay Magistrate’s Court.

This after they were convicted of contravening the Marine Living Resources Act and regulations.

Wouter Jansen van Rensburg (51) and Desmond van Bosch (53) were charged with operating a vessel that did not have a functional Vessel Monitoring System (VMS), which allows the position of the vessel to be automatically monitored and analysed from shore or to transmit messages to land.

The matter was investigated by the Provincial Commercial Crimes Investigation Unit based in Richards Bay and led by Lieutenant Colonel VC Pillay.

The traditional line fishing vessel, Sea Link V, is believed to have been in operation without a functional VMS between 16 and 21 November.

The pair were arrested and charged on 30 November.

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