RECREATIONAL FISHING REGULATIONS

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LAGOON & SHORES

This is a guide to the bag limits and types of fishes which recreational anglers may catch and keep in the Knysna area (the Knysna Lagoon and the seashore from Harkerville to Buffalo Bay). Bag limits and allowable species are prescribed in the Marine Living Resources Act (Act 18 of 1998) and its regulations - a copy of which can be viewed at the SANParks office on Thesen's Wharf.

Please note that regulations may change from time to time. All anglers must be in possession of a valid fishing permit, which can be bought at any Post Office (you'll find the Knysna Post Office on the comer of Main and Montagu Streets).

Bag limits in the Species List for Recreational Anglers describe allowed quantities per species per person per day. However, you may only take a maximum often specimens from the Recreational List on any one day. Some species may not be taken during certain times of the year - usually during their breeding seasons.

You may catch a maximum often of each species not mentioned in the Recreational List - except that you may only take 3 elasmobranchs (sharks -and rays) and 5 rockcod.

Fishes are measured in a straight line from the tip of the snout to the very end of the tail or caudal fin. Although you may gut your catch, you must-not remove the heads and tails from any fish (except sharks and rays). This allows officials to judge their size and weight. If you catch a fish which is too small or a fish of any prohibited species, you must immediately return it to the water irrespective of whether it is dead or alive.

Fishing lines must be attended at all times. You may use a maximum of two lines with two hooks on each line.

Holders of recreational fishing permits may not offer their catch for sale.

Spear fishing is prohibited in all estuaries. The Knysna Estuary is considered to extend to a line south of Coney Glen.

PROHIBITED LIST

No one may catch, land, be in possession of or sell any pipefish or seahorse, nor of any abalone (periemoen) or Venus ear (siffie).

SPECIES LIST FOR RECREATIONAL ANGLERS

Recreational anglers may take a maximum often fish per day from the following list:

BAIT

You may keep whatever you catch from the following list:

Anchovies, Chub mackerel. Cutlass fish Garfish, Glassies, Halfbeaks, Horse mackerel, Mullet/harder, Sardines, Sauries, Scads.

SHELLFISH AND BAIT ORGANISMS

No one is allowed to collect any bait in the Invertebrate Reserve (between Thesen's Island and Leisure Island and between Leisure Island and the main channel).

You are not allowed to use a spade or fork for collecting bait; use a trap or gaff for collecting crabs; disturb or catch any live Pansy shell; uproot. pick or collect any aquatic vegetation in the lagoon; or offer any bait or fish for sale.

The breeding season for prawns is from November to January, and the exploitation of this species should be handled with care during this period.

Bag Limit, Species & Minimum Size (cm)

• 5 Alikreukel- 6.35cm
• 12 Oysters-5.1 cm
• 50 White Mussels-3.5cm
• 25 Black Mussels
• 8 Clams
• 50 Periwinkles
• 15 Limpets
• 2 Octopus
• 15 Sea Crabs
• 2 Mud Crabs - 114 mm measured across the broadest part of the back
• 30 Mole Crabs
• 5 Bloodworms
• 50 Prawns
• 20 Razor Clams (Pencil Bait)
• 2 kg Red Bait (measured without the hell)
• 10 Polychaete worms - i.e. any sea worms including coral, wonder, shingle, moonlight, pot, rock or flatworms.

Disclaimer: This acts only as a guide and does not replace the Regulations as published in the Government Gazette from time to time.

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