Seahorse case highlights environmental plunder
[caption id="attachment_39566" align="alignright" width="405"] TIP OF THE ICEBERG: A Summerstrand woman appeared in court this week charged with illegally importing protected seahorses[/caption]
"WHEN you see trading done, not by consent, but by compulsion. When you see that in order to produce, you need to obtain permission from men that produce nothing. When you see money flowing to those who deal, not in goods, but in favours. When you see that men get richer by graft and pull than by work, and your laws don't protect you from them, but protect them from you. When you see corruption being rewarded and honesty becoming a self-sacrifice, you may know that society is doomed." – Ayn Rand
Once again we open the papers to see such horrific poaching activities as this seahorse saga where it is believed to have some medicinal properties when blended into a soup.
The amount of environmental damage that is done, while trying to receive some relief or rejuvenation, is confounding even to the humblest of society that stops to think a little. Modern medicine has proven that there exists solutions to these problems, yet people persevere with the myths that are only that.
Rhino horn is traded for sexual performance and the seahorse is supposed to be a rejuvenator and to wind back the clock so to speak.
All that has really happened is the clock is being fast-forwarded and we lose ground that will never be regained. The environment is being plundered, arrests are made daily yet there is no apparent impact on curbing these activities.
The financial reward is far more rewarding than the risk of being caught, it seems. In conclusion one can only assume the penalties are not severe enough and, as a result, the free for all continues until all is lost.
Many anglers set out on a trip to see what comes their way. Not specifically targeting a species but hoping to hook into something for the pot. Call it pot luck if you wish. The real dedicated angler will look at conditions and decide what species to target. These are skills acquired through experience that only time and perseverance provides.
Besides that, many species are seasonal and knowledge of their movements is also vital to success. I remember diving sinkers at Blue Hole years back and being approached by an irate angler who accused me of chasing the fish away. At the time there was a school of shad in the hole and he was fishing the bottom. I simply recommended he remove his sinker and see what happens. Whala! Instant success. It's been a while since I have witnessed such a smile!
The seabirds continue to die and the mystery surrounding the root cause of death has still not been found. Much speculation surrounds these mortalities however a fresh sample for autopsy is still sought. These birds decay almost immediately after death thus making the cause of death difficult to determine. The public are requested to help by contacting the SA Marine Rehabilitation and Education Centre immediately with any fresh samples they come upon.
The Tuna Classic is an annual competition that is based on seasonal trends and predicting that date for the competition seems as problematic as the weather forecast. These fish appear in our waters during autumn and are the ultimate in game fish besides the bill species. They are extremely exciting fish to catch and the dream fish for many who are not that privileged. - Reel Time, with Wayne Rudman
