Fresh water fishing in KwaZulu-Natal can be divided into two broad categories both of which are regulated by KZN Wildlife.The first of these is flyfishing which normally involves brown and rainbow trout and which requires special rods, reels and artificial lures.

The periods in a year on which trout fishing can take place are regulated to protect breeding fish and the waters where these regulations apply are proclaimed.

Kamberg Nature Reserve is a very popular trout fishing venue for novices and more experienced anglers alike. An added attraction here is the trout hatchery. Kamberg, Royal Natal and Lotheni offer both river and dam fishing (dam fishing at Lotheni is reserved for the occupants of Sime's cottage only).
Injisuthi, Giants Castle, Cobham and Garden Castle offer river fishing. Highmoor is reserved primarily for stillwater trophy fishing and is closed intermittently for several months of the year to allow the fish to grow to a trophy size. This is arguably one of the most productive stillwater flyfishing venues in KZN and caters primarily for the more experienced angler in wilderness surroundings.

The trout fishing season in rivers is normally open from September to May, while dams are open to fishing throughout the year.The second category of fresh water fishing is referred to as coarse fishing and normally involves large mouth bass, carp and blue gill, all of which are introduced aliens and indigenous fish such as scalies, eels, tilapia and tiger fish.

Coarse fishing normally takes place at large dams such as Midmar and Chelmsford while tilapia and tiger fish are caught in the pans and rivers of Northern Zululand.

KZN Wildlife staff are stationed along the entire KwaZulu-Natal coastline and in protected areas. Information pertaining to angling activities along the coastline can be obtained readily from any of these offices, which are listed as follows:

Safety regulations are in your and your crew's best interests while you are in a boat at sea. Remember that not all craft are suitable for use on the sea, so please verify whether your boat is suitable for this use with the local authority controlling the launch site or your ski-boat club.

Ski-boats may only launch at approved launching sites. Minors (under 16 year of age) are not allowed to pilot boats in congested waterways. Experience has shown that most boating accidents are as a result of ignorance and only through correct training and subsequent experience can accidents be countered.

REGISTRATION

All craft returning to sea must be registered and may at any time be inspected by authorised persons to ensure that they are seaworthy. Certificates of Registration and Seaworthiness are obtainable through the local authority (e.g. KZN Wildlife), ski-boat clubs and the Department of Transport.

SOME GENERAL TIPS TO REMEMBER

Only skippers with a certificate of competence may launch boats.

Department of Transport approved life jackets are to be worn in the surf zone and during times of emergency.

The skipper of your boat must comply with the alcohol standard as laid down for driving on a road.

If you qualify to go to sea, please ensure that your name and address etc. appear on your trailer (this is required by law).

Check weather and local conditions daily with the weather office and local people who know the area.

Ensure that your boat is properly equipped before launching.

Consult the full regulations.

Be considerate to other ski-boats.

Do not exceed either your or your boat's limitations.

Where offshore zone identity networks exist (harbour control etc.), take the trouble to update your position by radio when moving from one zone to another.

BOAT SAFETY REGULATIONS ON LAKE ST LUCIA

Lake St Lucia is part of the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, a World Heritage Site, which has enormous nature conservation value.

The following regulations have been designed to allow visitors to use the lake in harmony with the multitude of wildlife species which also use the lake.

When boating on the lake please keep an eye out for crocodiles and hippopotami.

All boats must be registered with KZN Wildlife.

Contact your local KZN Wildlife Office for information regarding all regulations.

No boat is allowed within 100 m of any shoreline or island in the lake except at the launch sites of Charters Creek, Fani's Island and False Bay Park, or up any of the rivers.

Canoeing is allowed under the supervision of the Wilderness Leadership School and on KZN Wildlife Wilderness Trails on the eastern shores of the lake.

It is also allowed in False Bay with the authority of the officer-in-charge of False Bay Park.

No sailing, waterskiing, jetskis, rowing boats or sailboards are allowed on the lake or estuary.

No boats are allowed beyond a point demarcated by a 'No Entry' sign in the estuary narrows, nor east of the poles between Fani's Island and Nibela Peninsula. These signs indicate the beginning of the wilderness area.

No boats are allowed between the St Lucia Estuary road bridge and Brodies from one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise.

All boats used on the lake and estuary must be motor-driven and have minimum size requirements which are a length of 3,6 m, a beam of 1,2 m and freeboard of 45 cm.

Due to the shallowness of the river, boats at Maphelana may not go up the Umfolozi River but they may go up the Msunduzi River as far as the 'No Entry' sign during the day, and only as far as the KZN Wildlife jetty at night.

COMPLIANCE

Voluntary compliance with the Marine Living Resources Act is encouraged by educating fishermen about the new regulations, ensuring the regulations are adhered to, by inspecting fishermen regularly, and creating effective deterrents for those who break the law. Marine Protected Areas are essential to protect marine biodiversity. They are also valuable to ecotourism, education and research and play a critical role in enhancing fish stocks in adjacent areas.

AWARENESS

Educating anglers and harvesters about the threats facing the marine environment and the reasons behind legislation will help to change attitudes towards the sustainable use of fisheries. Awareness will be assisted by the successful communication of the FISHCARE program. Co-management of resources by anglers, harvesters and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife will lead to the long term conservation of a sustainable resource.

RESEARCH & DATA COLLECTION

There is a need to identify different use zones in our Marine Protected Areas. Zonation prevents conflict between user groups and conserves unspoilt beaches. Scientists will be involved in ongoing research through data collection and monitoring to supply information that will accurately reflect fishing activities in KZN, and ensure the correct management of marine resources.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

Educating the youth about the marine environment and the threats, challenges and opportunities that it faces will assist with the development of positive attitudes towards its conservation and sustainable use. School based programs, run by well trained staff, take learners into protected areas to learn first hand how the marine ecosystem functions and how to protect it for future generations.

MARINE RECREATIONAL FISHING GENERAL REGULATIONS

No person shall, except on authority of a recreational permit obtainable from the South African Postal Services, engage in recreational fishing.

No person shall sell, barter or trade any fish caught through recreational fishing.

No recreational fishing permit is transferable from one person to another.

A persona of a recreational permit shall not use any artificial breathing apparatus, other that a snorkel.

No person shall, engage in fishing, collect or disturb any fish by means of a gaff, club, flail, stick, stone or similar implement

No person shall engage in fishing, except for octopus, cuttlefish or squid, by the jerking of a hook or jig in the sea jigging), with the intention of impaling the fish thereon.

No person shall engage in the fishing, collection or disturbing of any fish with a speargun in a tidal river or tidal lagoon.

No person shall use any cast net for fishing from sunset to sunrise.

No person shall disturb, catch, kill or be in possession of any dolphin or any part or product derived thereof.

No person shall, except with the authority of a permit, disturb, catch or kill any whales at any time, or approach closer than 300 m to a whale

No person shall, except with the authority of a permit, attract by using bait or any other means, any great white shark, or catch, attempt to catch, kill or attempt to kill any great white shark, or purchase, sell or offer for sale any part or product derived thereof.

No person shall, except with the authority of a permit, damage, uproot, collect or land or attempt to damage, uproot, collect or land any live or dead coral.

No person shall, except with the authority of a permit, engage in fishing, collecting or disturbing any live or empty pansy shell.

No person shall, except with the authority of a permit, engage in fishing, collecting or removing any aquatic plants, except for own use and in quantities not exceeding 10 kg aquatic plants, however, 1 kg dead shells or 50 kg shellgrit per day is permitted without a permit.

No person shall, except with the authority of a permit, damage, pick, uproot, collect or land or attempt to damage, pick, uproot, collect or land any live or dead sea fans or sea pens.

No person shall, without a permit issued by the Director-General, culture any marine organisms.

No person shall, except with the authority of a permit, catch any fish or collect any aquatic plants for commercial purposes.

For more information phone: (021) 402-3911 or consult the Amended Regulations (R24 of 14 January 2000) in terms of the Marine Living Resources Act, 1998

Langebaan Lagoon Marine Protected Area
Langebaan Lagoon is divided into three zones. Recreational fishing is allowed in the northern-most zone (Zone C), north of a line joining Beacons LB4, in Kraal Bay, and LB3, at Oesterwal.

Sixteen Mile Beach Marine Protected Area
No fishing from the shore is allowed in the area between Plankies and Rooipan se Klippe (near Yzerfontein).

Malgas Island, Jutten Island and Marcus Island Marine Protected Areas
No fishing is allowed along the shores of these islands.

Castle Rock Marine Protected Area
No fishing is allowed in the area between Bakoven Rock (south of Miller's Point at beacon VB1) and Bobbejaanklip (south of Partridge Point at beacon VB2), extending one nautical mile seawards from the high-water mark.

Helderberg Marine Protected Area
No fishing is allowed between the mouth of the Eerste River and the mouth of the Lourens River in False Bay, extending 500m seawards from the high-water mark.

Betty's Bay Marine Protected Area
Only shore angling (and no other type of fishing) is allowed between beacon B1 at Stoney Point and beacon B4, to the east of Jock-se-baai, extending two nautical miles seawards from the high-water mark.

De Hoop Marine Protected Area
No fishing is allowed between beacon DH1 at Still Bay Point and beacon DH2 between Rys Point and Skipskop, extending three nautical miles seawards from the high-water mark.

Goukamma Marine Protected Area
Only shore angling (and no other type of fishing) is allowed between Portion 1 of the farm Walker's Point at Buffels Bay and the western boundary of the Goukamma Nature Reserve, extending two nautical miles seawards from the high-water mark.

Robberg Marine Protected Area
No fishing is allowed in a rectangular area surrounding the Robberg Peninsula between the latitudes 34°04'.916S and 34°07'.633S and the longitudes 023°22'.300E and 023°25'.967E, although shore angling is allowed.

Tsitsikamma National Park (includes the Tsitsikamma Marine Protected Area) No fishing is allowed between Groot River at Oubos to Groot River at Nature's Valley, extending three nautical miles sea-wards from the high-water mark.

Sardinia Bay Marine Protected Area
No fishing is allowed between beacon PECR1 near Schoenmakerskop and beacon PECR2 near Bushy Park, extending one nautical mile seawards from the high-water mark.

Dwesa-Cwebe Marine Protected Area
No fishing is allowed between the western bank of the mouth of the Suku River (in the District of Elliotdale) and Human's Rock (in the district of Willowvale), including the tidal portion of the Mbashe River, extending six nautical miles seawards of the high-water mark.

HluIeka Marine Protected Area
No fishing is allowed adjacent to the Hluleka Nature Reserve (in the Ngqeleni District), extending six nautical miles seawards from the high-water mark.

Mkambati Marine Protected Area
No fishing is allowed between the eastern bank of the mouth of the Mtentu River and the western bank of the mouth of the Msikaba River, including the tidal portions of these two rivers.

Trafalgar Marine Protected Area
Only shore angling and fishing for pelagic bony fish (and no other type of fishing) is allowed between beacon N1 south of Centre Rocks and beacon N2 opposite the southern boundary of the Mpenjati Resort, extending 500 m seawards from the high-water mark.

The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park (includes St Lucia and Maputaland Marine Protected Areas)
St Lucia Marine Protected Area extends from beacon N3 north of Ngoboseleni Stream to beacon N4 south of Cap Vidal, and extends three nautical miles seawards from the high-water mark. No fishing is allowed in the Sanctuary Zone between beacon N5 at Red Cliffs and beacon N6 at Leven Point, extending three nautical miles due east from the high-water mark. In the Restricted Zones which lie to the north of beacon N5 at Red Cliffs and to the south of beacon N6 at Leven Point, respectively, shore anglers may catch fish, and skiboat anglers and spearfishers may catch pelagic bony fish.

Maputaland Marine Protected Area extends from beacon N7 at the Moçambique border to beacon N3 north of Ngoboseleni Stream, extending three nautical miles seawards from the high-water mark.
No fishing is allowed in the Sanctuary Zone between the beacon N8 at Boteler Point and beacon N9 500m south of Dog Point, extending three nautical miles due east from the high-water mark.

No fishing is allowed in the Sanctuary Zone between the beacon N7 at the Moçambique border and the beacon N13, extending three nautical miles due east from the high-water mark, except that shore angling is allowed north of beacon N27, which lies 2 km south of the mouth of the Kosi Lakes.

In the Restricted Zones between beacon N13 and beacon N8 and between beacon N9 and beacon N3 shore anglers may catch fish, and skiboat anglers and spearfishers may catch pelagic bony fish.

CLOSED AREAS

St Helena Bay
No rock lobster may be caught between Stompneus Point and beacons SHBE/DR at Wilde Varkens Valley (near Doctor's Reef), extending six nautical miles seawards from the high-water mark.

No rock lobster may be caught between Shell Bay Point and Stompneus Point, extending three nautical miles seawards from the high-water mark.

Saldanha Bay
No rock lobster may be caught between North Head and South Head (the entire Saldanha Bay).

Table Bay
No rock lobster may be caught between Melkbos Point (beacon MB1) and Die Josie (near Chapman's Peak - beacon MB2), extending 12 nautical miles seawards from the high-water mark.

Cape of Good Hope
No fishing is allowed between Schuster Bay (Scarborough) and Cape Point lighthouse, extending 500 m seawards from the high-water mark, except that shore angling and the catching of rock lobster and abalone is allowed between Hoek van Bobbejaan to the Cape Point lighthouse.

Fish Hoek
Only shore angling is allowed (and no other type of fishing) between the start of Jager's Walk at Fish Hoek to Elsebaai at Glencairn Beach, extending 500 m seawards from the high-water mark.

St James
No fishing is allowed between St James Station and Kalk Bay Station, extending 500 m seawards from the high-water mark.

Muizenberg
Only shore angling is allowed (and no other type of fishing) between Neptune's Corner at Muizenberg Station to St James Station, extending 500 m seawards from the high-water mark.

Strand
Only shore angling (and no other type of fishing) is allowed between the mouth of the Lourens River, and the eastern breakwater of the harbour at Gordon's Bay, extending 500 m seawards.

Mudge Point
Only shore angling and the catching of rock lobster and abalone is allowed between the western limit of the Hawston harbour and the eastern limit of the Frans Senekal Reserve, extending 100 m seawards from the high-water mark.

Onrus River
Only shore angling (and no other type of fishing) is allowed inside Harderbaai north of a line drawn between the beacons at Van der Riet Hoek (OR1) and Marine Drive Point (OR2) respectively.

Hermanus
Only shore angling (and no other type of fishing) is allowed between the beacons at Kraal Rock (HR1), Walker Bay, and Rietfontein (HR2), Hermanus, extending 500 m seawards from the high-water mark.

Dyer Island
Only shore angling (and no other type of fishing) is allowed at Dyer Island, in an area extending two nautical miles seawards from the high-water mark.

East London
Only fishing from the shore is allowed in the following three areas near East London:
(i) between Nahoon Point and Gonubie Point, extending three nautical miles seawards from the high-water mark,
(ii) between Christmas Rock and Gxulu River mouth extending three nautical miles seawards from the high-water mark, and
(iii) between Nyara River mouth and Great Kei River mouth, extending three nautical miles seawards from the high-water mark.

Durban
Fishing for invertebrates is not allowed in the area between the line drawn 145° from the south breakwater of Durban Harbour and another line drawn 145° from the mouth of the Umgeni river, extending three nautical miles from the high-water mark.

Permits

The use of any marine resource requires a permit to do so; this includes collection of bait & aquarium fish, fishing with rod and line, spearfishing and cast netting. All permits can be obtained from Post Offices Nationally.

Where Do My Permit Monies Go?

All monies generated through the sale of marine permits and marine related fines go into a central fund called the Marine Living Resources Fund.

This fund is not administered by EKZN Wildlife, but is administered by the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA)

A portion of these monies is allocated to Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife to manage our coastal resources along the Provinces 620Km’s of coastline.

2012 Recreational Fishing Permit Fees
Permit Code	Permit Type	Annual Fee (valid for one year from date of issue)	Monthly Fee ( valid for 28 days from date of issue)
1	Recreational angling	R 76 00	R 52 00
2	Spearfishing	R 94 00	R 57 00
3	Cast net or throw net	R 94 00	R 57 00
4	Marine aquarium	R 94 00	R 57 00
5	Scuba diving in a MPA	R 94 00	R 49 00
6	West coast rock lobster	R 94 00	--------
7	East coast rock lobster	R 94 00	--------
8	Mud crab	R 94 00
9	Molluscus ( ghost & rock crabs, limpits, red bait, sea cucumbers, sea urchin, octopus, sand/mud prawns, sea lice )	R 94 00	R 57 00
10	Recreational angling from a vessel (Only payable by the skipper)	R 94 00	R 57 00
11	Drag net (only in KZN)	R 94 00	R 57 00
12	Hoop net (glassies & squid only in KZN)	R 94 00	---------
13	Mussel (Only in KZN)	R 94 00	------------
14	Oyster (Only in KZN)	R 94 00
15			R 57 00
			R 57 00

Sodwana Bay
Renowned for its sport fishing , scuba diving and snorkeling, Sodwana is situated on the coast within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.

St Lucia Estuary
St Lucia Estuary is one of the tourism focal points of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a recently declared World Heritage Site.

Cape Vidal
Renowned for its sport fishing and snorkelling, this scenic coastal camp is situated on the north of the Eastern Shores area of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.

Maphelana
Maphelana is the southernmost camp in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. A popular destination for ski boaters and surf anglers , it lies on the south bank of the Mfolozi River, at the point where it enters the Indian Ocean.

Umlalazi
This lovely coastal reserve is conveniently situated one km from Mtunzini on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast.

Kosi Bay
The Kosi Bay Nature Reserve lies on the coast in the northern part of KwaZulu-Natal and surrounds the unique and beautiful Kosi Bay lake system.

Mfabeni/Mission Rocks
Mission Rocks is 16km north of St Lucia on the Cape Vidal road and is a wonderful rocky shore with picnic sites behind the dunes.

Mpenjati
This lush little coastal reserve is 20 km south of Margate on the lower south coast. At present Mpenjati caters essentially for the day visitor.

Amatigulu
Amatigulu Nature Reserve is situated on the Indian Ocean coastline in Northern KwaZulu-Natal between the Tugela and Amatikulu River mouths.

Mabibi
Situated on the coast between Lake Sibaya, Sodwana Bay and Manzengwenya in Northern KwaZulu-Natal, Mabibi forms part of the Kosi Bay Coastal Forest Reserve.

It is important that we conserve our marine resources before it's too late. Our marine resources are not endless, and over recent years, over utilisation of stocks has caused the survival of some species to be placed in serious jeopardy.

The Fishing Regulations that are in place ( Marine Living Resources Act ) controls fishing so that fish stocks are sustainably used and not over exploited. The fishing regulations encourages fair and equitable use of our marine resources by all.

Key Points To Remember.

Responsibility for the enforcement of the fishing regulations in Kwazulu Natal has been delegated to KZN Wildlife.

Each person harvesting any marine resource, including all line fish, requires a permit to do so.

The collection and gathering of intertidal resources requires a permit issued by KZN Wildlife.

Closed Season Crayfish - 1st Nov - 28th Feb

Anti Poaching Hotline - 083 380 6298 - 24hrs

Permits

Permits are available in the following categories :

National Permit (Post offices , KZN Wildlife Permit Offices)
General angling, Spearfishing, Cast/ throw net, Mud crab, East Coast Rock Lobster, Recreational fishing from a vessel, Marine Aquaria.
KwaZulu-Natal Invertebrate Permits(KZN Wildlife Permit Offices)
Mussel, Octopus, Oyster, Sand/ Mud prawn, Sea lice, Drag net, Hoop net.

Monthly permits - Can be obtained for the above categories. Valid for 28 Days from the date of purchase.

Annual permits - Valid for 365 days from the date of purchase.

All permits are available from the KZN Widlife outlets:

Marine Permits Office Durban

Mpenjati Nature Reserve

Shellly Beach Skie Boat Club

Rocky Bay

Umlalazi Nature Reserve

Richards Bay Office

Mapelane

St Lucia

Cape Vidal

Sodwana Bay

For further information, please contact your local KZN Wildlife Office - 031 274 1150 or the KZN Wildlife Marine Permits Office - 031 205 5278

CEDRIC COETZEE: GENERAL MANAGER COAST
031-2741159 (ph)	082-5592866 (Cell)	031-2741185 (fax)
Lyn Morty: P. A. to General Manager Coast
031-2741166(ph)	072-2021872 (Cell)	031-2741185 (fax)

SECTION CO-ORDINATORS
Ken Morty RCC(MARINE)	082-5592840	031-2741182
Jean Harris:RCE(COAST)	082 459 1917	031-2741180
Sibusiso Thusi:RCC(COAST)	082 559 2863	031 2741165
Skhumbuso Kunene RFM(COAST)	083 379 2620	031-2741162
Faith Memela :HRM(COAST)	082 466 3369	031-2741155
George Nair MC(S/C RESERVES)	082-5592851	031-2741171
Tony Conway CM(GSLWP)	083-3099212	035-5509453
Eliakim Ndlovu:MC	083-5250158	035-5710051
MARINE SECTION: Ken Morty
Rob Broker MC O & C (M)	082 559 2867	031-2741187
Ian Pattrick:MC Marine Districts (S/C)	082 559 2855	031-2741190
Wayne Evans:O-I-C Marine Prosecutions	082-321 6843	031-2741188
Cheryl Walters Snr. Admin Clerk	-	031-2741186
Callum Beattie CM Siyaya CP Umlalazi N R	082 559 2842	035-3401836
Sydney Chili: CM Amatikulu	082-256 9460	032-4530155
James Wood CM Mpenjati	082 559 2838	039-3130531
Nicolas Mthethwa O-I-C Umtentweni	082 559 2858	039-6952530
Paul Buchel OiC Scottburgh	-	082 559 2848
Albert Cele OiC Kingsburgh	082 559 2846	-
Karl Bentley:OiC Greater Durban Area	082 559 3843	031-2741152
Rob Baur SNC Durban	082 559 2845	031-2741154
Sam Ndlovu DCO Durban	082 559 2869	031-2741151
Dumisane Mthembu DCO Offshore Compliance (Marine) Durban Office	082 559 2860	031-2741160
Enock Mahlangu DCO Durban	-	031-2741151
Sandile Sibiya DCO Umzimkhulu	082 559 2864	-
Basil Pather:CM Beachwood	082 559 2839	-
Lionel van Schoor:DCO Ballito	082 559 2847	032-9460664
Vincent (Leonard) Zulu DCO Tugela C D	082 559 2841	-
Kevin Green DCO Richards Bay CD	082 559 2837	035-7532212
Phineus Mokoka DCO Richards Bay	082 559 2849	035-7532212
Richard Penn-Sawers:MC GSLWP(Marine)	082 559 2868	035-5901443
Hayden Ferguson:CM Maputaland Marine Reserve North	082 559 2899	035-5748301
Shaun Dickson:CM Marine Reserve North Sodwana Bay	082 559 2873	035-5710051 ext: 219
Selvan Naidoo:CM Marine Reserve South St. Lucia	082 559 2872	-
Anton James:DCO St. Lucia Est. (Marine) St. Lucia	082 559 2871	035-5901111372