South Africa bans drone fishing: 'It could’ve created jobs'
The Supreme Court of Appeal has banned the use of drones to take fishing lines out to sea.
Picture: Pixabay.com
John Maytham speaks with Kenneth Garvie, a fishing industry writer at Angler’s Talk and a well-travelled fisherman.
Listen below.
Drone fishing has been outlawed, and anglers using drone technology to drop baited hooks can be prosecuted.
Some fishers use drones to place hooks up to 500m from shore, giving them a significant advantage over traditional measures.
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However, concerns were raised over the impact on marine life and the ethics of the unfair advantage this practice gives to wealthy anglers.
Garvie says the ban is unfair, arguing that any form of fishing can be problematic if abused.
Instead, he says that firmer regulations should have been places on drone fishing.
“Guys that fish with boats are fishing in very similar waters... with far more technology and able to target the same fish.”
- Kenneth Garvie, Fishing industry writer - Angler’s Talk
“Anything is dangerous if it is not regulated.”
- Kenneth Garvie, Fishing industry writer - Angler’s Talk
Garvie believes that regulated drone fishing could create numerous jobs within the sector and thinks the negatives of this judgement will outweigh the positives.
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.