Author Topic: Durban harbour - where can we fish (Read 22911 times)

kb · « **on:** March 18, 2013, 09:09:51 PM »

Hi all,

Does anyone know, where we can legally fish in durban harbour. I read over and over, about people getting harrased by the cops etc. Is there a spot that is fishable??
kb

Fritz · « **Reply #1 on:** March 18, 2013, 09:15:21 PM »

Aparently you are allowed to fish from the sandbanks from Wilsons side and you can fish from the Batcentres side as well.

dugong · « **Reply #2 on:** March 19, 2013, 08:25:08 AM »

You can fish anywhere except the restricted area (south of the red line) and there is no anchoring in the channels, a good place for grunter is the banks and a NE drift from the mouth down to the red line.

kb · « **Reply #3 on:** March 19, 2013, 09:08:08 AM »

thanks guys.

ST(d) · « **Reply #4 on:** March 19, 2013, 10:07:11 AM »

Thanks for the info.

MichaelK · « **Reply #5 on:** March 19, 2013, 11:28:40 AM »

You can only fish at night if you have a DOC and if your vessel is night rated.

maganything · « **Reply #6 on:** March 20, 2013, 10:35:29 AM »

Quote from: MichaelK on March 19, 2013, 11:28:40 AM

You can only fish at night if you have a DOC and if your vessel is night rated.

What is a DOC...? And is there any permits etc required??

dugong · « **Reply #7 on:** March 20, 2013, 11:19:01 AM »

Durban operators certificate, we are the only port in SA that has this, its a load of BS!!!

Prego · « **Reply #8 on:** March 20, 2013, 11:28:44 AM »

Quote from: dugongboy on March 20, 2013, 11:19:01 AM

Durban operators certificate, we are the only port in SA that has this, its a load of BS!!!

Agreed would love to take my wife and son to fish but its seems such a mission to get the DOC just for the odd outing into the harbour

maganything · « **Reply #9 on:** March 20, 2013, 12:11:08 PM »

Where do you get a DOC and i presume there is some form of application??

Shaun17 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 20, 2013, 12:34:05 PM »

Quote from: maganything on March 20, 2013, 12:11:08 PM

Where do you get a DOC and i presume there is some form of application??

You need to attend lectures for a couple of days. Also, I think you need a VHF Radio, VHF Radio License and club membership... but not 100% sure

I know Aquafan recently went through the process, maybe he can help? I'm also keen to do mine when i'm home again...

dugong · « **Reply #11 on:** March 20, 2013, 12:38:39 PM »

Quote from: Prego on March 20, 2013, 11:28:44 AM

Quote from: dugongboy on March 20, 2013, 11:19:01 AM
Durban operators certificate, we are the only port in SA that has this, its a load of BS!!!

Agreed would love to take my wife and son to fish but its seems such a mission to get the DOC just for the odd outing into the harbour

Actually the DOC is only needed for exit/entry of the port, you can go in the harbour with a CAT R and a seaworthy boat.

MichaelK · « **Reply #12 on:** March 20, 2013, 12:40:58 PM »

You can fish in the harbour during the day with your pink harbour disk.

But if you want to fish night time or exit the harbour mouth you will require a DOC.

As the guys said, it a course that you are put on teaching you about the harbour rules ect ect and then you are sent for an oral exam by the harbour captain. I think its still Captain Sen, but not to sure.

dugong · « **Reply #13 on:** March 20, 2013, 12:49:57 PM »

It is the biggest load of bollocks, there was talk of it being done away with when the entrance was widened, I also have doubts on its legality, but I suppose the Captain has the final say??

MichaelK · « **Reply #14 on:** March 20, 2013, 01:09:30 PM »

What i find amusing, is if you are night rated to fish deepsea and your boat is night rated. You are still not allowed to fish in the harbour at night if you dont have a DOC

I grew up fishing in the harbour with my oldman when you did not even need Cat R skippers.

I dont fish the harbour anymore because of all this nonsence.

dugong · « **Reply #15 on:** March 20, 2013, 01:25:28 PM »

Michael, the cops don't even know what the law is, some say you need it for night and some say not, I spoke to a cop about it a few weeks ago and he agreed with me that you DON'T need the DOC????
We should be working to the SAMSA doc. as it covers every port in SA, imagine if every one had their own rules?

MichaelK · « **Reply #16 on:** March 20, 2013, 01:51:52 PM »

I agree with you 100%, the problem comes in when you are issued a fine and i'm told they are helfty fines, and then you have to go through all the hassels of trying to get it dropped.

Its not worth it, i'd rather launch at DSBC and enjoy myself out at sea. Much less hassels and bigger fish

AQUAFAN · « **Reply #17 on:** March 20, 2013, 02:53:34 PM »

You only require a DOC to enter/exit the harbour mouth - to fish in the harbour all you require is your harbour disc/pink slip.
In my opinion a DOC should be compulsory for fishing the habour considering the numerous and various hazards.
Why such a fuss only at the Dbn harbour? Its because the Dbn harbour is the busiest port in Africa.

To obtain a DOC you are required to have a vhf radio as well as an operators license, some experience on a boat, membership at a club affiliated to the port (includes DSBC),attend lectures as stipulated by the port offshore commitee and pass a verbal test by Captain Sen.

Did mine with John Rodriguez and I must say that it was the best spent R1500 and weekend - only once you go through the lectures will you realise how vital they are in keeping you safe.
There are other guys offering the lectures for much less however I strongly recommend John and so does Capt Sen.

maganything · « **Reply #18 on:** March 20, 2013, 03:10:11 PM »

so to fish in the harbour during the day all you require is a harbour disc? Where can you get one of these?

AQUAFAN · « **Reply #19 on:** March 20, 2013, 03:26:03 PM »

Your club should apply for one on your behalf when you do your seaworthy.
If not, it can be purchased from the Transnet Permit office - they are either in Winder St or Point Rd
Note that new discs are issued in March so your disc could only have arrived at your club recently.