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ZONATION
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The uThukela Marine Protected Area (MPA) consists of different zones each with their own regulations pertaining to the legislation of the protected area legislation namely National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act 57 0f 2003. The management zones are made up of the following:
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  • Inshore and Offshore Controlled Zones
  • Inshore and Offshore Restricted Zones
  • Controlled Pelagic Fishing Zone
  • Controlled Offshore Commercial Fishing Zone
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Controlled Inshore and Offshore Zones

Allows angling to take place provided that the angler has the necessary valid fishing permit with them. This must be available for inspection at any time by an official law enforcement official during angling both onshore and offshore.
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Restricted Inshore and Offshore Zones:

No activity of any sort may take place in this zone. All fishing gear must be stowed away if passing through this zone. Fishing vessels or any other vessel may not stop within the offshore fishing zone unless for an emergency.
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Offshore Controlled Commercial Fishing Zone:

This is a zone identified for the use of commercial anglers. Commercial anglers must be in possession of all necessary legal documentation including fishing permits allowing them to operate as commercial fishers. This must be available for inspection at any time by an official law enforcement official.
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Offshore Controlled Pelagic Line Fishing Zone:

This is a zone demarcated for the sole use of pelagic fishing and spearfishing as listed in Annex 2 of the regulations. No benthic (Bottom fishing) is allowed. Vessels are not allowed to drop anchors in this area. Anglers fishing in this area must be in possession of a valid fishing permit. This must be available for inspection at any time by an official law enforcement official.
UTHUKELA MPA ZONES
GPS Coordinates
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Inshore:
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uThukela MPA Northern Boundary (~4 km north of estuary):

          28° 55’ 58.12” S ; 31° 52 6.62” E (-28.9328° ; 31.8685°)

uThukela MPA Southern Boundary (~2 km north of Tinley Manor Rocks):

          29° 25’ 58.15” S ; 31° 18’ 1.08” E (-29.4328° ; 31.3003°)

uThukela Estuary Inland Boundary

          29° 11’ 59.07” S ; 31° 25’ 27.09” E (-29.1997° ; 31.4241°)

Amatikulu Inshore Restricted Zone

          Northern Boundary:     

          29° 06’ 58.16” S ; 31° 37’ 0.16” E  (-29.1162° ; 31.6167°)

          Southern Boundary:

          29° 11’ 37.64” S ; 31° 32 26.15” E  (-29.1938° ; 31.5406°)

uSetheni Inshore Restricted Zone

          Northern Boundary:

          29° 24’ 27.22” S ; 31° 19’ 13.94” E (-29.4076° ; 31.3205°)

          Southern Boundary:

          29° 25’ 58.15” S ; 31° 18’ 1.08” E (-29.4328° ; 31.3003°)

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https://www.saambr.org.za/new-mpas-for-anglers/

For more information and additional boundary co-ordinates please refer to the Government Gazette:

http://www.gpwonline.co.za/Gazettes/Gazettes/42479_23-5_EnvironAff.pdf

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Inshore Controlled Zones
Mtunzini Inshore Controlled Zone      
uThukela Inshore Controlled Zone

  • Shore fishing/spearfishing and harvesting of invertebrates allowed.

  • Any shark or ray caught must be released unharmed.

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Inshore Restricted Zones

Amatikulu Inshore Restricted Zone      
uSetheni Inshore Restricted Zone

  • No fishing/spearfishing or harvesting of invertebrates.

  • No launching allowed.

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Offshore Controlled Zones
uThukela Offshore Controlled Zone North      
uThukela Offshore Controlled Zone South

  • Linefishing and spearfishing allowed.

  • No fishing for sharks and rays.

  • No offshore night fishing (except for permitted commercial linefishing vessels).

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uThukela Offshore Controlled-Pelagic Linefish Zone

  • No bottom-fishing is allowed; only pelagic game fishing and spearfishing (as per Annexure 2).

  • No night fishing.

  • No fishing for sharks and rays.

  • No anchoring (unless in an emergency).

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uThukela Offshore Controlled Commercial Zone

  • Only registered commercial linefishing allowed.

  • No fishing for sharks and rays.

  • Night fishing only allowed by permitted commercial fishers.

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Offshore Restricted Zone
uThukela Offshore Restricted Zone

No fishing/spearfishing or harvesting of invertebrates.
All fishing gear to be stowed away.
No stopping or anchoring (unless in an emergency).
GPS track required if traversing this area.

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General Marine Protected Area Rules

  • No littering or discarding fishing waste including fishing gear, hooks, bait packaging or fishing line.

  • No fishing/spearfishing or harvesting of invertebrates without a permit.

  • No shark, shark cage or scuba diving without a permit.

  • No chumming for, or attracting sharks without a permit. 

  • No fishing competitions allowed without authorisation.

  • All fishing gear (rods, hooks, lures, line or traps) are required to be stowed away when travelling through a restricted zone.

  • No anchoring of vessels (except in case of emergency).

  • No shark repelling/exclusion/protection devices.

  • No gillnetting in any estuary.

  • No person may collect broodstock for aquaculture, ornamental fish, aquarium fish or live rock without a permit.

  • No person shall harass or disturb a whale shark (Rhincodon typus) and if a whale shark approaches any person closer than 3m or a vessel closer than 20 m; such person or vessel shall immediately proceed to a distance from the whale shark, as specified above.

  • No radio/remote controlled drones or boats are permitted, including for fishing activities.

  • All fishing is subject to the fishing regulations in terms of the Marine Living Resources Act (MLRA) (Act No.18 of 1998). This includes possession of a fishing permit and all species-specific daily bag limits, size limits and closed seasons.

  • Only pelagic fish species of these families may be caught or used as bait within the uThukela Marine Protected Area Controlled-Pelagic Linefish Zone.

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Fish List as per Government Gazette - Annexure 2
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  • Atherinidae - silversides

  • Belonidae - garfish

  • Carangidae - kingfish, garrick, yellowtail, queenfish, etc.

  • Chirocentridae - wolf herring / slimy

  • Clupeidae - red-eyes, sardines, etc.

  • Coryphaenidae - dorado

  • Engraulidae - anchovies, glass-noses / bonies, etc.

  • Exocoetidae - flying fishes

  • Hemiramphidae - halfbeaks

  • Istiophoridae - sailfish and marlin

  • Pomatomidae - shad / elf

  • Rachycentridae - prodigal son / cobia

  • Scomberesocidae - sauries

  • Scombridae - tunas, mackerels, wahoo, etc.

  • Sphyraenidae - barracudas

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Fish list (as per Annexure 2 in National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act 57 of 2003, on 23 May 2019, No. 42479; Regulations for the management of the uThukela Marine Protected Area).

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Vessels
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All motorised vessels within the uThukela Offshore Restricted Zone:

Must have a GPS  (with active trail and storage capabilities).

May not stop for more than three minutes or move at less than 5 knots (vessel: 10 meters or more) or 3 knots (vessel: is less than 10 meters) unless authorised to do so.

Launching is only permitted at designated launch sites.

No skipper or vessel may launch or enter the MPA without a SAMSA Certificate of Competence and Certificate of Fitness, available for inspection at all times.

  GPS: Global Positioning System.

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https://www.marineprotectedareas.org.za/uthukela-banks-mpa

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For more precise information please refer to the uThukela MPA regulations: Download​
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