Anglers institute ‘lines up’ September to aid Steenbras
LAST year saw the prohibition of the angling of Red Steenbras lifted after a court battle was won by the Border Deep Sea Angling Association (BDSAA).
They argued that this resource could be better managed without an outright ban on the angling of the species.
To further their management plan, they have now instituted a “lines up” September (for their affiliates) on the species a month before the closed season (October and November) to help the spawning period, where these fish are very active and can be easily caught.
September has been erroneously omitted from the regulation and it has been suggested that August be included too.
The rationale behind this is that many “coppers” are caught in August with roe. This will allow for undisturbed spawning and enhance re-productive numbers.
This is a sterling effort for the benefit of future angling and should be noted as an example of how formal recreational angling can indeed act responsibly.
It can also be a platform for consultation with government regarding management of the recreational angling fraternity and legislation proposals and implementation.
John Rance, the environmental officer of the BDSAA, has also mentioned that they view the sale of recreationally caught fish in a serious light.
In fact, they see it as illegal commercial angling rather than illegal recreational angling and welcome harsher penalties as a result.
Last week’s column resulted in a number of contributions which cannot be published simultaneously. These contributions will be used, along with the inspiration generated to write rather than importance or order of being gratefully received.
Dayalan Padayachey was out fishing very recently with his cousin at Swartkops.
Today’s photograph of his catch, is on of six garrick caught and released on the day.
It appears that a large school of garrick stopped over in the Swartkops and a number were caught as a result.
The majority of these fish were released and one tipping the scale at 13kg was compromised along with a 10km pignosed grunter.