Fisheries Dept boosts KZN sardine run patrols
The Department of Fisheries is ramping up monitoring efforts along KZN's coastline.
Narend Singh says it is in response to the fishing frenzy sparked by the 2025 sardine run.
The Deputy Minister has added that authorities have a responsibility to prevent overfishing, and ensure compliance with catch limits.
Swimming was banned at Durban's southern beaches after the removal of shark nets earlier this month.
Local fisherfolk, who have been netting large numbers of sardines, have also been reeling in predator fish, and other marine species that have followed the shoals closer to shore.
Singh says he witnessed the sardine action firsthand during a visit to a beach last week.
" You will find there are a number of people that have been driving on the beaches. They're not allowed to drive on the beaches unless they're authorised to do so and I did see myself, law enforcement officers giving them fines and tickets.
"So, we expect people to act responsibly, and this is why we have laws, we have regulations, we have seasons where we close off [fishing for] shad for a certain period. So, we allow the shad to spawn and grow bigger.
“We can't just rape our oceans. The ocean's economy is something that I think even young people can benefit greatly from.”
Singh was speaking to Newswatch at the Green Youth Indaba on Thursday.
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