Our estuaries are vital for the rebuilding of our fish stocks and hence their preservation is crucial – the way we manage them will determine whether we will succeed, or not.
This brings me to the point about the situation at the Gamtoos at the moment.
The conservation concept is much like the transmission of a vehicle.
All the gears turn independently and in counter directions and speeds but achieve a common goal in the end and that is to get somewhere.
All the role-players in this beautiful land of ours need to understand this. We have various state and local government departments that have to work together to achieve effective conservation measures; however taking the lead and stimulating a plan of action and getting the ball rolling is not that difficult. It needs one strong person. A few months back at Paradise Beach (Seekoei River) such a venture was embarked upon and the same needs to be done at Gamtoos.
Allowing the Gamtoos to become a blind river for an undetermined period will have huge consequences on the breeding and ultimate survival of the juvenile fish that take refuge in the estuaries after being spawned at sea.
The fry that are spawned off the coast of Gamtoos will not be able to enter the estuary and will have about zero chance of survival at sea.
This will impact the stocks of the Gamtoos in time if no intervention is sought.
While the river remains healthy, fish are being caught and it can remain that way for some time; however time waits for no one and the effects will be felt in time. Surely a timeframe can be placed on monitoring of the situation and, should the much-needed flood not arrive soon, intervention should be scheduled.
On the angling scene the prospects look good for the deep-sea fellows this weekend with good warm water not far from reach off the coast.
Today’s photograph shows an 86kg yellowfin tuna caught in Gordon’s Bay by Jan Hendrik Hattingh recently.
There are many hopefuls for such potential with the Carry Kat Tuna Derby being hosted on Saturday by Pedsac . At this stage there appears to be no reason why the competition would be weather plagued.
From the angler’s landing net I have seen a few pignosed grunter, kob and garrick being caught in the estuaries along with some fine fish off the surf.
Youtube sports some videos of fish being released too, which is commendable indeed. One notable catch is that of a Zambezi shark apparently caught locally. I have seen the photograph but have no details for the publication thereof. For me to publish a quality photograph I must at least know who the angler is and where (approximately helps too) the catch was made, along with the bait used – and so forth.
All contributions are most welcome.
We are in for a rather windless weekend with clear skies and mild air temperatures. Low tide is at 4.02am with a very high barometer for the duration of the weekend.
The moon phase is at last quarter on Friday with the new moon next Friday.
All the signs lean towards some productive fishing ahead.