This is the email from Shaun Lavery (Vice Commodore)
Hi Robin.
I have seen the comments on the forum and understand the emotion around the Garrick issue. I would like to add that DSBC does not condone these catches at all and In no way do we support this action.
Just a little history on the Seine netters and the tractor. We (DBSC) have assisted the netters with the tractor since the 60’s and though precedence have continued to do so. DSBC has always had non racial values and has always encouraged sustainable fishing in the greater Durban area. We have never become involved in the terms and conditions of their license as it is not the duty of DSBC to monitor the catches.
I agree with a lot of the members on the forum but lots of it is also hearsay and incorrect. If the public feel strongly about this the netters need to be taken to task and legal action taken against them based on evidence compiled and submitted to the appropriate authorities.
I was there when they pulled the net on Saturday morning and saw the catch, what the gentleman failed to tell you is that the Parkies were on the beach and saw the fish landed and I am sure would have taken action if the catch did not fall under the terms and conditions of the license. Instead a picture of the tractor gets taken, where do the priorities lie.
So to summaries:
DBSC helps tow the boat to and from the water though precedence.
We do not condone illegal catches.
Should the netters be charged and convicted of illegal catches we will with immediate effect cut all ties with them.
DBSC does not assist with the catch.
We also do not assist with the transport of any fish caught in the net.
I hope this clears up the stand of the DSBC and puts the tractor issue to bed.
I am going to chat to Morgan about the issue and hear what he has to say about it as I have seen no evidence of the Garrick but did make an effort to check the catch on Saturday.
Yours in sustainable and legal fishing.
Shaun Lavery
Dealer Support Manager(KZN & Eastern Cape)
Yamaha Distributors South Africa
Mobile: (+27) 82 6522111
Office: (+27) 31 710 6400
www.yamaha.co.za Hi Shaun,
The member of the forum never stated that there was anything illegal in the catch and thus mention of the authorities was not needed. The priorities are 100% correct Shaun. You are questioning one of the member’s integrity by implying that since he saw nothing wrong with the catch on Saturday, that him mentioning the tractor is mere ‘trouble-making’. Let me assure you, that any assistance lent to these netters is a concern to each and every one of us. I must just say that your attempt to ‘put the tractor issue to bed’ has only highlighted it.
The tractor issue won’t go away while they use the tractor and continue to make illegal catches. From what I have heard, Morgan is not the type of person that is going to admit to catching a protected Species and selling it off the back of a bakkie. Your efforts to unearth the truth may be better rewarded by talking to Bruce Mann from ORI or someone like that. They will tell you that this incident is being looked at by DAFF and EKZNW. The commodore of your club knows about the Garrick catch, you may want to ask him. The fact remains that the greater issue is the mindless slaughter of our valuable resources and I for one have had enough. Any assistance lent to these netters is and will always be deemed to be an accessory to the fact. I am not one person that has this mindset there is a mass and once this issue hits mainstream social media, it’s going to explode. This issue has been posted on one site so far. It’s on the brink of going wide.
This statement: “If the public feel strongly about this the netters need to be taken to task and legal action taken against them based on evidence compiled and submitted to the appropriate authorities”. Is the exact statement made by James Wood. It is neither the public’s duty or responsibility to police and photograph these illegal activities when the public is openly threated by these netters. There are some that have risked it and will continue to do so, but it is not their responsibility.
On your summary provided, there are a few comments which I must make:
DBSC helps tow the boat to and from the water though precedence –
Therefore the general fishing public will continue to take issue with the DBSC as precedence is never an excuse in any form. I hope that this precedence will serve you when this topic jumps up a few hundred notches.We do not condone illegal catches.
Should the netters be charged and convicted of illegal catches we will with immediate effect cut all ties with them. –
IOL news from 22 December 2011: “In recent weeks, he (Morgan Subramoney) has had several confrontations with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife officials, who bust him for allegedly netting banned fish. It is also believed Ezemvelo has recommended to the Department of Sea Fisheries that seine netting be banned.” So this has already happened, so my question is, based on your statement – Are you going to continue to allow them use of the tractor? You are the one that made the statement, so I am asking the question, will you enforce your statement? Somehow, I doubt it.
DBSC does not assist with the catch. –
By pulling their boat ashore or to sea, the DBSC is lending direct assistance to them.We also do not assist with the transport of any fish caught in the net. –
Should so much as one fish be in that boat that is pulled ashore, this statement made by you would be incorrect? Regards
Robin
