Private or public? Until now, anglers, kayakers, sailboat owners and anyone else who wanted could freely use the pier on Lake Morzycko. Until a few days ago, a sign appeared saying “no entry”. What's more, there was also monitoring and even a security guard.
The residents of Moryń are fighting for theirs and don't understand why they can't fish where they've always done it. – We came with rods to fish normally and the police were called, they took us down – says Mr. Jakub, an angler.
– Great outrage. They have been using this place, these jetties, all their lives, and suddenly someone forbids them to come and fish – says Andrzej Trochimiuk, president of the Fishing Club No. 31 in Moryń.
It is a small marina on Lake Morzycko in West Pomerania. It was used not only by fishermen, but also by boat owners and other residents of Moryń.
– We only have one more large pier on the lake. It is a pier on the beach, but it is a viewing pier, not adapted for mooring vessels – says Dariusz Kupralowicz, the owner of the boat.
“This is a ridiculous situation”
A few days ago, on the road leading to the marina, a sign was placed with boards informing that this is private, monitored property and that staying there is not allowed.
– I was outraged, it can't be like that – says Mr. Kazimierz, a resident of Moryń.
– All residents are outraged – says Katarzyna Potapińska, chairwoman of the City Council in Moryń.
Their owner is a private company that bought the property bordering the lake a few months ago. – We were informed in a letter last week by the company that they had concluded a lease agreement and no one could use these jetties – says the mayor of Moryń, Sławomir Jasek.
– The facility's security guard calls the police every time someone appears on this jetty – says Paweł Sławiński, editor-in-chief of Chojna24.pl.
– The lake and the piers are our common good – emphasizes Hubert Krysiak, Gryfino County Councilor.
There is a ban, but the mayor claims it does not apply
For the residents of Moryń, it is a special place. – We call this a sailing corner and it has always served the residents – says Katarzyna Potapińska. – For many generations of Moryń residents, it is a cult place – emphasizes Aleksander Butrynowski, president of the Association of Friends of Moryń and Lake Morzycko.
There is a ban, but the mayor claims that it is not in force. – Since April 2021, we have had an agreement for the use of these two piers with Wody Polskie – informs Sławomir Jasek. – It is known that we can fish here, but there are signs, and anglers – as you can see, they are not here at the moment – are so afraid to come – says Andrzej Trochimiuk.
“Polish Waters are responsible for this legal stalemate”
The dispute between the commune and the private owner was publicized by the local portal Chojna24.pl. – In my opinion, the Polish Waters are responsible for this legal stalemate, as they simply signed two agreements – says Paweł Sławiński.
Officials admit they made a mistake but have already corrected it.
– Due to the haste, a second contract was issued for the same land covered with water – informs Michał Durka from the State Water Management Authority Polish Waters and the Regional Water Management Board in Szczecin.
Popular swimming spot first for residents? “It was voted on”Renata Kijowska/Fakty TVN
Polish Waters informs that the agreement with the private owner has been invalidated. – Today, the only agreement that has been signed is the agreement with the Moryń commune – informs Michał Durka.
This, however, did not end the conflict, because it is not only about the lease of the lake, but also the piers. The company claims that they are their property, because they belong to the purchased property – we read in a letter sent by its attorney.
The mayor of Moryń argues that there are no documents proving this.
– This does not follow from anything. Nor from the notarial deed, which only informs that the jetties are adjacent to the shoreline of this property, which is owned by the company, and not that they belong to this property. Secondly, in the land and mortgage registers there is not a word or mention that the jetties belong to the property – Sławomir Jasek points out.
Residents say the case may have a deeper meaning
The piers are most likely an unauthorized construction from the old days, when the property adjacent to the lake belonged to the State Treasury.
– This marina operated, training at least 60 sailors every summer, from 1968 to 1994, despite the later change in the form of ownership – informs Aleksander Butrynowski.
In 2013, the commune renovated the piers from its own budget.
Residents claim that the matter may have a deeper meaning. The city plans to build a marina there. – Apparently, something about this investment does not suit them and they are trying to block it in this way – Sławomir Jasek assumes.
– I hope that this dream will come true, that in a few years a beautiful marina will be built in this very place – says Katarzyna Potapińska.
– We, as Polish Waters, are not able to decide on the ownership of the water facility that is located on these lands covered with water, i.e. these jetties – admits Michał Durka.
But officials want to help resolve this conflict. – Let's meet, let's somehow jointly, we can act as a mediator. So that everyone is happy – both the company and the commune – says Michał Durka.
Main image source: TVN24