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The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) regrets the recent accident at the Bot River estuary, near Hermanus, during which a fisherman drowned after he was apparently entangled in the gillnet that was used to fish.

The bodies of three other fishermen are still missing.

Following our own investigation of the matter, DAFF can confirm that the boat did not comply with basic South African Maritime Safety Authority-requirements by having lifejackets and other safety gear on board.

Furthermore, no fishing permit was issued to anyone for fishing in the Bot River estuary, one of the top ten nursery areas for a variety of fish species.

Gillnet fishing east of Yzterfontein is not permitted as the by-catch of especially juvenile line fish species such as carp, white steenbras, harders and elf is too high.

During the last three months Fisheries Control Officers have confiscated six gillnets with a combined length of around 5km in the estuary.

In a similar incident in November 2010, a 22-year old man went missing after the boat he was in also capsized when they were fishing without lifejackets in the same estuary.

DAFF calls on fishermen ensure that they meet all legal and safety requirements before they go out to sea as these measures are aimed at saving lives and avoid action taken against them.

We will also increase visibility in that area and call on all fishers to refrain from any fishing activities in our estuaries.