Trekoskraal Coastal Admiralty Reserve: Designated for LIMITED Recreational Activities

The Trekoskraal coastal admiralty reserve, stretching from Long Beach to Gonnemanskraal/Swartriet area between Jacobsbaai and Paternoster, is officially designated for limited recreational activities. This area, renowned for its stunning natural beauty, is surrounded by a farming community and includes sand dunes adjacent to privately owned properties.

Despite the area’s appeal, the Trekoskraal reserve has not been demarcated by the Saldanha Bay Municipality as a camping site, however the beach at Trekoskraal is regarded as a public amenity and therefore people can enjoy the beach for limited activities such as swimming and day-hiking. The operations at Trekoskraal are currently enforced under the Saldanha Bay Municipal by-law in relation to Public Amenities. Unauthorised activities such as informal camping, driving on the beach and dunes, and vandalism of nearby farmers’ roads, gates, fences, and infrastructure have been reported. These actions are illegal and pose a significant threat to both the environment and private property.

The Saldanha Bay Municipality, in accordance with national regulations and local bylaws, strictly prohibits overnight camping. Vehicular access to the Trekoskraal reserve is restricted to the designated gravel roads and is not permitted across the beach, private property, or dunes. Since 2001, South African law has banned vehicles from driving on beaches to protect coastal dunes, which are crucial for both environmental preservation and archaeological integrity.

To safeguard the area, the municipality is implementing the following measures, including:

• Enactment of Bylaws: At the moment, the municipality does not have a by-law pertaining to the impoundment of vehicles. A model by-law to allow for the confiscation of vehicles in violation of regulations, will be addressed during the next round of the review of the existing municipal bylaws as promulgated in 2022.
• Signage: The erection of additional warning boards is underway to clearly demarcate the restricted zones. Previously installed signage has been vandalised and such actions are strongly condemned and discouraged.
• Enhanced Surveillance: Regular beach patrols and inspections are being conducted, supported by surveillance cameras linked to the 24-hour municipal control room.

The public is reminded that all activities in the Trekoskraal coastal admiralty reserve are monitored closely. Trespassers and those violating the applicable regulations and bylaws will face consequences. Should any offences be committed against the municipal bylaws, fines will be issued, or people maybe arrested on the scene depending on the nature of the offence committed.

The full municipal bylaws pertaining to public amenities are available on the municipal website at https://sbm.gov.za/policies-by-laws/ .  For ease of reference, note below important fines that can be issued:

• Erecting a structure, fence, without permission: R2,500.00
• Bringing in or being in possession of a firearm: To Court
• Throw a stone or object: R1,500.00
• Staying or sleeping overnight other than camping: R1,500.00
• Discharging of a firearm: To Court
• Exposing body or clothing indecently: R500.00
• Camping on land other than demarcated camping area: R500.00
• Camping in a camping area for longer than three months: R500.00

Members of the public must note that the Department Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE) has two departments that are also responsible for the enforcement of environmental legislation at Trekoskraal.

• Fisheries, Monitoring, Control & Surveillance: with three directorates, Compliance, Fishery Patrol Vessels, and Monitoring & Surveillance, is responsible for compliance in terms of the Marine Living Resources Act (MLRA), Act 18/1998. Fishery Control Officers are appointed across various spheres of government, national, provincial, and municipal, which allows them to enforce the legislation. The MLRA regulates fishing and fishing related activities in terms of Section 13 and 18 of the Act.

Important fines that can be issued in relation to the above-mentioned section of the Act are:

• Fishing without a permit (relevant regulation for fish, rock lobster of invertebrates): R500.00 plus R500.00 per unit of fish or West Coast Rock Lobster
• Environment, Oceans & Coasts, Enforcement: responsible for the enforcement of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), Integrated Coastal Management Act (ICMA). This department is responsible for the enforcement of the Off-Road Vehicle Regulations. All Peace Officers appointed in terms of the Criminal Procedure Act, across various spheres of government, National, Provincial and Municipal are allowed to enforce this legislation.

Important fines that can be issued in relation to the regulation for the Control of Use of Vehicles in the Coastal Area GN 496 of 27 June 2014:

• Penalties range from R500.00 to R2,500.00, or imprisonment, depending on the directive of the applicable regulation.

Saldanha Bay Municipality in partnership with the National Department Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE) urges the community and visitors to respect these regulations to preserve the natural beauty and ecological integrity of the Trekoskraal reserve. For information and guidance about the relevant bylaws and regulations, please contact the municipal Law Enforcement department on +27 22 701-6912, Monday to Friday during office hours.

Cllr. André Brahm Truter

EXECUTIVE MAYOR