A marine law enforcement officer was injured on Friday after the law enforcement boat got stuck in illegal fishing nets on Hartbeespoort Dam.

The NSRI removed 400 metres of illegal fishing nets.

The vessel came to an immediate standstill when it hit the net, and the officer fell over, hitting his head.
According to Arthur Crew, the law enforcement vessel was en route to a complaint on the dam when it struck the net. “The NSRI was alerted to assist. We untangled and removed about 400 metres of nets. The incident took place between Pecanwood Estate and Eagles Landing,” he said.
“The situation has become extremely dangerous for boaters. The illegal netting in the Hartbeespoort Dam is worse than ever, and the Hartbeespoort Law Enforcement Unity, in conjunction with the NSRI, will be taking immediate steps to rid the dam of the nets. We will conduct continuous operations to remove illegal fishing nets.”
Crew warned boaters to be extremely cautious while on the dam and to report illegal fishing nets when they see them.