Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife would like to advise all recreational anglers that the long awaited changes to the recreational fishing regulations have now been promulgated in terms of Government Gazette No 27453.

These new regulations apply to recreational shore based and ski boat fisherman and affect the bag and size limits of certain fish species that may be caught.

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife will be producing and distributing awareness pamphlets highlighting these changes, in an effort to assist anglers with understanding and interpreting these new regulations.
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife staff will be enforcing these new regulations with immediate effect and appeals to all anglers to familiarize themselves with these new regulations. While every effort will be given by staff to assist anglers, the onus will be on the individuals to ensure that they abide by these new laws.
The promulgation of these regulations were deemed necessary by the then Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism , Mr Valli Moosa, who declared an emergency in the linefish sector. This was done in accordance with section 16 of the Marine Living Resources Act, which allows the Minister to invoke emergency measures to rebuild fish stocks.

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife welcomes these new regulations, as they are designed to afford protection to our dwindling marine resources while ensuring equal and long term usage by all.

CHANGES

Categories Changed – There are only two species categories that apply to the recreational line fisherman. These are:

1. Prohibited Category - May not fish for, be in possession of, or sell the following:
   • Basking shark (new inclusion)
   • Brindle bass
   • Coelacanth (new inclusion)
   • Great white shark
   • Natal wrasse
   • Pipe fish & Seahorses (new inclusion)
   • Potato bass
   • Sawfishes
   • Seventy four
   • Whale shark (new inclusion)
2. Permitted Category Annexure 7 ( Recreational Fishing) –
   May fish for and be in possession of subject to bag limits, size limits and closed seasons. MAY NOT SELL CATCH
   • See species category Annexure 7 (Government Gazette No 27453 6th April 2005)