Know rules governing fish inspection officers
SEVERAL anglers have raised their concerns about being subjected to inspections by the authorities and are wondering what their rights are.
Firstly, as a member of the public, you have the right to request to see the officer’s appointment card. The wearing of a uniform is simply not enough, although it must be respected.
Failing to produce that appointment on demand renders the officer to have no powers at that time and this person may not engage any further with you.
In fact, he or she is not legally on duty.
The choice is yours as to how you handle the situation further.
Always be respectful in these situations, as it certainly does not help to be bombastic.
You may report such an experience to higher authority too.
On to another subject, here is a snippet of information as to why the tagging programme is important, since we learn so much from it.
Four tagged poenskop (black musselcracker) have now been recaptured after being free for 10 years or more on the Oceanic Research Institute’s Tagging Project.
The most recent individual, represents the second-longest recorded distance and time free for a poenskop.
This fish was tagged by John White from the shore on December 27 1997 at Kasouga near Port Alfred in the Eastern Cape. It was then re-captured by Koos Du Preez 17.5 years later, offshore of Port Edward on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast. It moved 455 km. It only grew 21 cm (from 40 to 61 cm) over this time and weighed 6.24kg when re-captured. This re-capture confirms the average growth rate per year (about 2.6cm) for this species recorded on the project. This recapture, together with about 280 others recorded to date, highlights the slow growth rate of this species and the need for their protection.
It also confirms that some adult poenskop, which are usually very resident, may move considerable distances in a general north-eastward direction to spawn.
Some good kob has been caught at Sundays, in the river and along the shores around the river mouth and coastal zone down to Hougham Park.
Abe van der Poel recently caught the kob, pictured, at Sundays River surf and released it.
Notice the measuring tape in the background.
Low tide is at 7.44am tomorrow with the easterly turning west around the turn of the tide.
While we experience these strong westerlies, this is most probably a good venue this weekend with a westerly in the region of 50km/h expected in the afternoon.
Being two days before full moon makes this period above average and an excellent opportunity out for a catch.
This time of year schools of garrick – and other migratory species – also pass our shores and a live bait out is also a good option. There have also been reports of the odd raggie being caught and the adrenaline junkies have a ball this time of year angling for them.