HOLIDAYMAKERS behaved well and adhered much better to the rules and regulations of the Dorob National Park this past summer holiday season, according to a statement issued yesterday by the Namibian Coast Conservation and Management project (Nacoma).

The Ministry of Environment and Tourism reported that the cooperation with the public was very good and the majority behaved themselves well during the entire holiday season.

The ministry issued 146 fines to people for illegal off-road driving, eight fines for illegal camping, 33 fines for illegal entry into the Dorob National Park without a permit and 18 fines for individuals who disregarded the provisions of the Nature Conservation Ordinance as enforced by park wardens. Fines totalling N$59 000 were paid.

"A deterrent would be to increase the admission-of-guilt fines as well as to erect more information signs in the Dorob National Park," the statement read.

Fisheries inspectors issued 46 fines for illegal angling during the holiday, amounting to N$22 000. A total of 22 people were caught angling without permits, while six fines were issued for undersized catches, nine for using worms as bait and one for illegally catching rock lobster.

The fisheries ministry also lauded the cooperation of the public, especially those who reported illegal activities to the fisheries inspectors.