KNYSNA NEWS - A week after recreational fishing was already wholly permitted under Level 3 regulations after being gazetted on 5 June, fishing from boats on the Knysna Estuary was finally permitted by SANParks from Friday last week.

Last week Knysna-Plett Herald reported that fishing was once again permitted around the Knysna Estuary, but avid local anglers were swift to let us know that even though it was allowed in the government regulations, recreational fishing from boats in Knysna was still not allowed. 

As stated in the Government Gazette issued on 5 June, "all fishing is allowed during Alert Level 3, including recreational fishing, except for charter fishing". 

This did not exclude recreational fishing from boats, and local Nigel Fletcher wasn't too pleased with Knysna being restricted.

"It was ridiculous, people could fish from boats on water bodies around the country, but not us," he said when airing his frustration. "If we wanted to fish from out boats, we had to drive all the way out to Buffalo Bay and launch our boats into the water and fish there, when we could simply be fishing on the estuary. We couldn't bring our boats in through the Heads either, the estuary was completely closed off to recreational fishing boats."

Chad Roberts casts his line into the lagoon after fishing from boats was once again permitted. Photo: Blake Linder

Hence, with the pressure from local anglers, SANParks reopened the estuary to boat-fishing on 12 June. In a notice released by the national parks body, they stated that only recreational fishing will be allowed and that no other recreational boating activities will be permitted on the estuary. 

All vessels must also have the necessary vessel and fishing permits obtained from SANParks and the Post Office respectively, and can only be filled up to 70% capacity.

They must also make use of hand sanitisers and face masks on board, and offshore vessels coming through the Heads may also use the estuary as a thoroughfare passage.

Chad Roberts recently moved onto a houseboat in Knysna, and is enjoying the ability to head out and fish again. Photo: Blake LinderSANParks and the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries were questioned on why boats were only allowed to return to the lagoon for fishing a week after ordinary anglers.

Sanparks responded to questions once the Knysna-Plett Herald newspaper had gone to print. According to Nandi Mgwadlamba, spokesperson for Garden Route National Park, while boats have been allowed onto lagoon in the interim, exact regulations surrounding the matter are still under discussion. "Sanparks has slowly been reopening in phases, and the open access areas have been first."

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