Readiness to deal with fuel spill questioned
SOME time ago, I mentioned the bulk offshore fuel transferring being conducted in the bay and the potential spill hazards that threaten the pristine eco-system that the area supports.
Guy Rogers’s front page article in The Herald yesterday raised this potential disaster and the implications that would surround such an event.
Fuel is transferred 24/7 and so the likelihood of a spill is not farfetched.
The question I ask, is how prepared are we to handle such a disaster?
Onto another topic, the Gamtoos Angling Club has just completed another very successful Gam 1 000 angling competition. This annual event is now based on a measuring system and all fish entered have to be released.
In all, there were 223 competitors with 15 women and 28 juniors taking part. A total of 74 fish were caught with Corne Brent catching the biggest – a kob of 136cm, weighing 26.9kg.
Eugene van Rooyen received the prize of R10 000 for the total length of fish released. Among the fish were 34 grunter, 22 kob and a few non-edibles.
In the past these competitions were seen as “system clean-outs” as vast amounts of fish were removed in one bulk action.
This approach of measure-and-release which is now well supported by the light tackle boating and rock and surf angling fraternities on our estuaries and coasts, has changed the image of sport angling completely.
The loss of some angling spots, such as Bird Rock, has raised eyebrows of late. The re-think of the location and practice of the fish farms has also been a step in the right direction.
This brings me back to the fuel-dispensing operation conducted in the bay. Should it not be reconsidered? Looking beyond our borders, Larry Keogh, a friend of mine, is angling in Tanzania off Mafia Island at present, where he landed a giant trevally in the week. This magnificent 56kg fish (weight by measurement) is a sought-after game fish that does not occur in our waters off Port Elizabeth.
Because of their characteristic robust fighting behaviour they have lured anglers to the sub-tropical waters where they are found in relative abundance.
They prefer the warm water regions of both coasts of Africa and are caught with both artificial and natural baits – truly an unforgettable experience.
Angling in the bay has seen a few large kob come out which is an annual occurrence at this time of year.
These “hundred pounders” are also breeders that should be released where possible. However, they are being targeted by some for ill-gotten gains.
My guess is that once the east has blown out and the westerly prevails for the rest of the week, we are in for some good angling with the advance on the dark moon spring tide.
This weekend we see a neap tide with the low at 5.25am tomorrow and a fresh easterly wind turn west on Sunday for the week ahead. We look towards the dark moon next Friday having just experienced the last quarter-moon phase yesterday.
There is an above-average prospect for angling in the week ahead, I think.