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catching crays from a vesel

Thread Status: Hello , There was no answer in this thread for more than 60 days.
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M

mupwi

Well-Known Member
Nov 21, 2005
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Hi guys the regulations say we cant catch crays from a vessel what fals under this definition if I am diving of the vesel to catch the crays and just transporting them back to the beach on the boat does this count what about a fishing ski does this count as a vesel I am wanting to start diving/spearfishing from my ski and am wondering if this legaly prevents me from taking bugs while out there
 
apparently fishing ski counts as a vessel. I'm open for correction though... in the meantime don't risk it this weekend
 
that's what I thout was hoping though I was hoping to define it as an oversize float maby I should pop into the wildlife office on the way home today and see what they have to say
 
hahahaha... like maybe if you word it differently they'll see your point of view

the problem is the guys in the office might get you but it's the dude at the beach who's going to confiscate your stuff and fine you.
 
ja that is why I want to get the oficial explination before I try it
 
Hey Boys, Im from south coast... Scottburgh to be specific. Know for definate that crays are not allowed on a vessel what so ever. Even if you want to catch a lift in with a boat after doin a shore entry, you have to let them go, or pay big fine. Parks board are very strict on this.And unfortunately paddle ski still fall under terms of a vessel!!!!
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news:crutch
 
That pretty much is what I thought.

I believe you can get away with using a boogie board as a float line and putting your bugs on that, but that's about the limit in terms of size - anything bigger than that is considered a vessel. Having said that there are some parks board dudes who consider a boogie board a vessel but I think legally you'd be able to argue the fine after you got it

Personally I'd rather just avoid the fines and go out with a cray net bag attached to the buoy (you can get from Rob Allen). Doesn't look like much but you can get your bag limit in there and barely notice it whilst you hunt fish at the same time.
 
I have been wondering the same thing for a long time so I wrote a letter to an a MCM big nob: Here is my letter and his response:

Dear Mr Ngadlela

I have a query about the rules that govern recreational fishing of west coast rock lobsters. I dive for crayfish, and what I would like to know is, If I may use a surfboard to paddle out on and to use it to rest on while I am out crayfishing. I have heard from various friends that one is not allowed to dive for crayfish off a boat. I looked through the regulations in the 2007-2008 brochure, I noticed that there is a prohibition on fishing for east coast rock lobster off a vessel, but no such regulation for the west coast rock lobster. Is there a law against diving for west coast rock lobster off a boat, and if so does it apply to motorized vessels or would a surfboard also be classified as a boat?

Kind Regards
Leonard Long


Dear Mr. Long

Regulation 51 (6) (c) states "The holder of a recreational West Coast Rock Lobster permit shall only engage in fishing or collecting lobster from the sea-shore without the use of any artificial breathing apparatus other than a snorkel". The relevant section in the regulation is ".....collecting lobster from the sea-shore...." , therefore, the intention of the Regulation is that lobster may not be collected from a vessel as defined in section 1 of the Marine Living Resources Act No 18 of 1998. A vessel is defined as a canoe, lighter, floating platform, deck boat, carrier vessel, vessel equipped with an inboard or outboard motor or any other craft weather a surface craft of submarine.

Kind Regards
 
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