Whether fishing for fun or food – clean up afterwards
TODAY’S photograph might look amusing to some, or even realistic when confronting the elements at this time of year, but the tragedy is that plastic pollution is a frightening occurrence that has been killing marine life at an alarming rate.
Anglers are also not innocent here either, as I personally have witnessed popular angling spots being left in the most disgusting state after the spoils of a good session have been had.
We must learn to leave the environment cleaner than we found it when out enjoying what creation has given us.
We can’t rely on others to clean our beaches. When organised fixed venues are fished for example by clubs, the beaches in question are cleaned afterwards by the organisation that angled the zone.
Why is it that many recreational anglers can’t do their bit too?
Many of us will have seen the horrific footage this week of two men on a fishing boat having caught a baby seal and then having great fun torturing and eventually killing this poor animal in the most brutal way.
Their arrogance and disgusting attitude is there for all to see and these are the types of people who make the rights of anglers more restrictive through their vile conduct.
I understand they are being prosecuted, and rightfully so. One hopes the boat will also be forfeited.
On the angling scene, we look forward to seeing what transpires with the Tuna Derby being held tomorrow in the bay and hosted out of the Pedsac facility in the Port Elizabeth harbour.
Sunday is reserved as an extra day should tomorrow not be fishable, which looks most likely at this stage.
There have been reports of tuna being in abundance at present, so all eyes will be on the scale at Pedsac.
Our estuaries and the rock and surf zones are producing some good fishing at present, but the colder water temperatures will require more thought for bait selection and presentation.
The targeting of species is another consideration. Estuarine angling usually becomes more productive than the shores around the bay as the warmer waters of the rivers attract the fish in search of juveniles that live in these protected waters.
From an angling law perspective, brace yourselves for some rather stiff restrictions relating to the fishing of estuaries to come in the near future. As a result of scientific studies, greater restrictions on bag limits, sizes, closed seasons and night time fishing are being considered.
It is worth noting that the ban on perlemoen did not stop the exploitation of the species, so this will now wash over to the anglers with a different approach to the traditional way of thinking.
A night ban on all estuaries is a way of keeping the angler off the water, while “Mr Plod” is off duty.
The budgets don’t make provision to increase overtime capacity to patrol and protect, so a simple stroke of the pen puts us off the water, especially at the only time when many are able to head out recreationally.
This weekend’s weather: We experience a westerly wind throughout tonight and tomorrow.
However, it will moderate tomorrow, presenting a good opportunity for pleasant conditions in the late afternoon for a cast.
Low tide is at 11.24am, with air temperatures in the mid-teens.
Sunday will bring calmer winds from the north, resulting in warmer air temperatures and more fishable conditions.
We experienced a dark moon phase yesterday, which adds to prospects of good angling conditions for the early part of the week ahead.
The sea temperature in the bay is below 17°C and about 23°C south of Cape Recife.