State moves to reel in trout fishing

FEARS have been raised that government attempts to better manage alien trout species will create unnecessary red tape that could negatively affect rural Eastern Cape hamlets.

A recent government classification of both rainbow and brown trout – which do not naturally occur in South Africa – as invasive has prompted a Rhodes University economics honours student to conduct an online survey to see how much fly-fishing contributes to local economies.

Bryan Nicholson, who has spent thousands since he took up the sport more than two years ago and heads up the university’s fly-fishing club, told the Saturday Dispatch he hoped to work out how much could be lost by rural Eastern Cape due to recently released permit restrictions.

Although Rhodes University Ichthyology Professor Peter Britz yesterday confirmed no eradication was required in areas where trout already existed – and did not threaten biodiversity – their recent Category B classification meant they had to be properly managed and permits were now required for their movement and stocking.

“The problem will be huge red tape with any farming and fishing stocking activity,” he warned.

According to Nicholson the move could negatively impact the rapidly growing fly-fishing tourism industry which has given new life to many rural hamlets.

He said a 2010 survey indicated the Eastern Cape mountain hideaway of Rhodes benefited to the tune of R18-million in one year from the trout fishing industry and tourism. — davidm@dispatch.co.za

The online survey can be found at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1YCa2wwzjJEkSx39YtpLlUr3DU1lGIksqdc2QB0KdgRc/