Pierre Kotze

I have a great passion for the ocean and for fishing and I love sharing this passion with like-minded individuals. I would like to build a career where I can put my experience gained through years of fishing, both inshore and offshore, to use.

• I am an intelligent, hardworking, honest and reliable individual looking to work abroad or regionally across Africa as a fishing guide.
• I understand the focus of this industry is first and foremost on guest satisfaction and enjoy the company of avid fisherman or teaching those interested, to fish.
• I have recently been increasingly exploring fly-fishing techniques, with a good understanding of fishing for bass, tilapia, carp, shad and garrick, and I am fast and eager learner of any new fishing techniques, relishing the opportunity to grow and expand my knowledge.
• I can use my own initiative with a flexible and committed approach to any work duties required, as an individual or within a team context.
• I have enjoyed having international exposure through my travels and experiences abroad over the last three years.
• I am physically active and in great health and have no problem working long hours in harsh conditions and doing physically demanding work.

Matriculated in 2020, National Certificate with University Exemption

Parel Vallei High School, Somerset West, Western Cape, South Africa.

English HL, 70%, Afrikaans FAL, 79%, Maths (HG), 63%,

Accounting, 83%, Life Sciences/Biology, 61%, Business Studies, 69%, Life Orientation, 80%

Certificates - SA Maritime Association (SAMSA) Courses Completed:

• Maritime Personal Survival Techniques,
• Skippers License: Category C Vessel up to 9 meters and 15 nautical miles,
• VHF DSC Radio course,
• Maritime Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities,
• Maritime Fire Fighting and Fire Prevention.
• Maritime Elementary First Aid,
• Maritime Designated Security Duties

I have been fishing rock and surf (marine and shore based angling) since I was four years old.

At the age 8 (Gr. 2), I started fishing the West Coast Mini League (South Africa) and from there my passion for fishing grew into numerous years of competitive angling where I represented Western Province and Boland at a junior level for several years.

• I was awarded my South African National (Springbok) colours twice.
• I hold numerous South African junior records and was ranked 1st in South Africa u/16 rock and surf angling for two consecutive years.

I stopped fishing competitively when I matriculated in 2020, and continued fishing both edibles and non-edibles rock and surf, whilst expanding my fishing into artificial lure angling for both salt and freshwater species.

My fishing interest also progressed to commercial fishing offshore, working on various types of fishing vessels along the South African coastline:

• Deckboat, Albatross and Kingfisher, Justin O'Neil: pole tuna fishing.
• Commercial Ski boat, Camari, Morne van Geems: snoek, tuna - long-fin and yellow-fin, and yellowtail.
• Trawler: Oceans Hercules, Andre du Toit: long-lining.

I did not enjoy the commercial long-lining experience witnessing many unsustainable fishing practices, and climbed off to join the pole caught tuna boats and commercial ski boats. I support sustainable fishing practices including tag and release in my personal fishing.

I have good experience in crew management, as a deck hand and crew boss, catching, packaging, and processing fish, repairing fishing tackle, boat maintenance including fiberglass repairs, sonar and outboard motors, overseeing stock take and logistics.

I regularly service various reels (spinning and multiplier reels) and have good working knowledge of various fishing knots and ties.

I have years of experience in landing a variety of fish species including rays, sharks (bronze whalers,ragged tooth sharks), cob, garrick,bass and carp fishing, dropshot angling and good working knowledge of fly-fishing.

Father: Ian Kotze, Environmental Scientist: Remote Sensing and GIS Analyst, working for Wild Oceans.

Mother: Inge Kotze, Executive Group Head, Conservation, Singita.

Sister: Tessa Kotze, 2nd year Stellenbosch University.

We live in Somerset West, Western Cape, South Africa.

As a family, we love spending time outdoors, camping, fishing, hiking and touring remote protected areas across Southern Africa.

• Age: 21
• Place of Birth: Somerset West, Western Cape, South Africa
• Ethnicity: White/Caucasian
• Passport Number: A0922 9291
• Citizenship: South African Citizen
• Date of Birth: 07/15/02
• Gender: Male
• Driving License: Light motor vehicle, not exceeding 3 500kg
• Religion: Christian

Available on request, with all relevant qualifications and course completion certificates.