FISHERMEN could soon be paying nearly three times as much for a fishing permit if a proposed new fee structure by Marine and Coastal Management (MCM) is implemented.

MCM’s substantial proposed price increase for recreational fishing permits has outraged anglers .

Under the proposed new cost structure an angling permit will now cost R200, a 195 percent increase from the current permit price of R68.

In addition, a permit to remove rock lobster will cost R500 (489% increase), molluscs R300 (253%), mud crab R300 (253%), the use of a throw net R300 (253%) and an additional fee of R500 for each angling vessel (489%) payable only by the skipper.

Dave Oostingh, chairperson of the Border Deep Sea Angling Association, said he thought the proposed increases were “ridiculous”.

“In some cases they’re raising the fees by nearly 500 percent,” he said. “This has come out of the blue and no one was expecting it at all. There are a lot of people who are not going to be able to afford this and it just doesn’t make sense.”

Regular fisherman Craig Tessendorf of Gonubie questioned where the money would be spent. “I want to know what is going to happen with this extra money if these fees are put in place,” he said.

The issue has even got bloggers on fishing websites hot under the collar. One blogger, under the name Fluke, on Fishing the Eastern Cape website said the increase was over the top.

“What happens to the money we already pay,” he asked. “We read about charter services that are getting away with murder and have to be apprehended by private individuals in their limited capacity. It has taken until this past December for my permit to be checked…and even that was at the gate of Double Mouth, not on the rocks! I could go on moaning all day but I have already taken the only action I can and that is e-mail a complaint and carry on fishing.”

But MCM management director of communications Zolile Nqayi said the extra money would be put to good use. “Our costs to monitor, police and manage fishing are high,” he said. “Under the current fee structure we’re not recuperating our costs and it’s not enough to effectively conserve fish and manage the industry properly.”

Nqayi said the increases might also not be implemented. “At the moment this is just a proposal and we need to consult with all relevant stakeholders .”

Interested and affected parties have until March 1 to submit written comment . Letters should be addressed to Revenue Management at the Department of Environmental Affairs: Branch Marine and Coastal Management, Private Bag X2 Roggebaai 8012, or faxed to 0866136256. Written submissions can also be e- mailed to revenue@deat.gov.za – By ANDREW STONE, Senior Reporter

Article: Daily Dispatch