Opening up of MPAs a ‘ludicrous’ decision
THE political move to open certain areas (approximately 20%) of the Tsitsikamma Marine Protected Area (MPA) to angling is simply ludicrous in my view.
On December 19 Minister of Environmental Affairs Edna Molewa announced the rezoning of this MPA and simply ignored scientific opinion.
Little regard was given to public opinion either, it seems.
There are certainly fears that the past 53 years of conservation is going to simply be undone in a short amount of time.
Firstly, it can’t be properly policed and I question the prevailing attitudes of the fortune seekers in today’s society.
The reality is that, for conservation to succeed these days, land often needs to be privately owned.
But this is not possible with the ocean and hence the crisis we witness today. If the state has such little regard for its MPAs then what message does the general public get?
The role model that was created in 1964 is simply another monument that has been torn down like those we have witnessed of late.
On to another matter, a number of large kob have been caught lately all along the shores and estuaries of the east and southern Cape regions down to the Breede River.
Our geelbek or Cape salmon was placed on the “Orange list” meaning it is threatened and being reviewed as to whether it should be declared endangered and placed on the “Red list”.
For more information on the “Red, Orange and Green list” of fish and where they are considered as consumable, visit www.wwfsassi.co.za. In other words, eat green!
Today’s photo is of Robert Kyle’s 122cm giant trevally weighing in the region of 30kg and caught along the north coast. It was the catch of a lifetime from the shore and was safely released afterwards.
A very concerning practice which anglers are responsible for, is the amount of line that is discarded while angling for whatever reason.
Break-offs are one thing, but I can’t emphasise enough that we cannot just discard suspect line by throwing it away, even if a bin is used. It must be burnt first.
When you browse social media, you will come across a number of video clips of late showing cases of birds, fish and even turtles having become entangled in discarded line.
The worst possible end awaits these creatures.
Braid is especially worrying as it is so durable. However, use of the correct leader, being the weakest link, should prevent the loss from the reel.
It is a good idea to inspect the line before a trip. Wind off that section of line that works most of the time through the runners and check it out.
I regularly do that before venturing out.
This weekend we will experience a mild westerly wind, turning easterly at the turn of the low tide at about 10.53am tomorrow.
On Sunday, the westerly begins with the sunrise high tide at 5.30am and will increase in strength throughout the day.
We will experience a full moon spring tide phase at the weekend, which should produce good angling potential for the next few days into next week.
Generally, angling is looking up for the next few months.
It’s time to make that cast!