MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The latest regulations concerning drones comes from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE).
A public notice was issued on 24 February, in which it is stated that the use of motorised equipment for recreational angling: drones and remotely operated devices and/or vehicles such as remote control boats and drones are illegal.
The purpose of this public notice is to alert recreational anglers and suppliers of fishing equipment that the department intends to rigorously enforce the regulations that govern recreational angling and ensure offenders are prosecuted and sentenced accordingly.
The department will also seize the various illegal devices used and upon any successful conviction will seek an order from the court to have these devices forfeited to the state.
These devices are prohibited for use of angling in terms of the regulations promulgated in terms if the Marine Living Resources Act, 1998 (Act No. 18 of 1998) ("MLRA").
In terms of the regulations, "angling" means recreational fishing by manually operating a rod, reel and line or one or more separate lines to which no more than ten hooks are attached per line.
Therefore, it is clear that angling is limited both from shore and from vessels, to fishing by manually operating a rod, reel and line.
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