Fish stock exploited for jobs
PART of life's journey is reflecting on the past. Hindsight is the perfect science of life that accompanies these reflections.
A picture tells a story. Sadly, back then it was not the digital era. We look back and answer the questions that we were doubtful about looking ahead of time. Our fish stocks are under threat yet we allow for more quotas in the name of job creation.
Where are we going to end up? Surely there are ways to create work for the many that need work in other ways rather than placing a heavier burden on our already dwindling fish stocks?
The beach driving ban also did not produce greater than the expected positive results but rather it robbed many of their pleasure and sport.
The good produced by preventing the use of vehicles has not out shadowed the exploitation that the remoteness created as a result of this conservation drive due to the lack of observation in areas now easily exploited.
As witnessed with the launch of the Small Scale Fishery perhaps a re-think of the use of vehicles in the coastal zone should be reconsidered much the same as boats on the rivers where registration is required.
The amount of vehicles in the coastal zone can also be restricted and at least there will be more eyes and ears combating exploitation.
The Swartkops has come under close scrutiny of late as large scale gill-netting has once again reared its ugly head. Boats are being used much the same as the trawlers engage the schools of sardines and the grunter are being collected by the bagful.
A routine patrol by the honorary marine conservation officers in the last few days uncovered a boat in the middle of such activity which resulted in the recovery and confiscation of a net and boat.
The perpetrators, well known, fled into the darkness of the river bank only because the patrol boat's prop became entangled in the net preventing apprehension. A case has been opened and is being investigated. An appeal has been made to the public to report such activity as this robs all ethical fishermen of the right to angle and enjoy the fruits of a fair catch.
The Swartkops is producing good 50cm grunter at the moment so time is right to make the outing. The weather has been quite favourable for night trips at the river again without the fear of the biting cold.
The Tiger Bay is undergoing more revamping of the parking area and is really quite a jewel for the estuary. At least we can see where the registration of boat money is going. Remember the access control is in place at the boom of the public slipway so the launch of craft must fall in line with the routine there.
Being a member of one of the angling clubs on the Swartkops allows for the use of the facilities that cater for the launching of craft after hours and I strongly recommend membership of one of these establishments.
- Reel Time, with Wayne Rudman
