To fish or not to fish in a Marine Protected Areas? This is the question that fishing vessels struggle in South Africa. How can this even be a question? Everyone knows that MPA’s are absolutely no-go zones...strict law-enforcement...no fishing... period!

Clearly, not at the De Hoop MPA. Daily vessel are seen fishing the line, and then dipping across to try their luck. Even blatant fishing occurs inside the MPA, with vessel just ignoring legislation… and no law enforcing officer insight!

Eventually, in May 2019, the White Rose, a demersal longline sharkfishing vessel, was caught inside the MPA after desperate calls from the public that just had enough! Finally the government reacted and opened a case of illegally fishing in a MPA.

Then in April 2020 the trial-waiting White Rose was observed fishing right in front of the main recreational beach in Port Elizabeth. The public was not impressed...

The Raggycharters facebook page carrying the story had more than 100 000 viewers, with 722 shares. Social media exploded.

The local press carried articles:

Fury as White Rose surfaces – Herald, 24 April 2020. ( “screen dump” of the PressReader.com page (https://www.pressreader.com/…/the-…/20200424/281560882939568

White Rose may keep bagging sharks – Herald, 5 May 2020 https://www.heraldlive.co.za/news/2020-05-05-white-rose-may-keep-bagging-sharks-for-now/

According to the department the White Rose is allowed to continue sharkfishing, no problem.

The court date has been postponed to 22 July 2020. Please diarize this date and lockdown restriction allowing, let”s fill the courtroom in Bredasdorp.

We, as the public, need to stand up … NO MORE FISHING IN MPA’s!