No-return law applies to certain fish species
THE water temperature is down to the 16°C mark at present in the Bay and now is a good time to target winter species such as pig-nosed grunter, galjoen and musselcracker.
The pig-nosed grunter are quite prolific at this time of year on our sandy surf zones of Maitlands through to Kromme River mouth – and the zone east of the Swartkops River mouth.
Galjoen and cracker can be targeted in the rocky areas from Flat Rocks to Beachview.
Out at sea, the water temperatures are more conducive and should produce their normal bag. The yellowtail are well on the bite in the St Francis Bay area; however geelbek are scarce at the moment and no reports of stockfish have been made either.
I’ve just witnessed an interesting Facebook video where two guys were fishing overseas and were then approached by an activist, who then proceeds to explain (through a child as well) that fishing is cruel.
He had all the heartstring arguments and eventually, after much harassing behaviour, threw the angler’s fish back into the water. No illegal activity supposedly took place other than the fish being returned.
Telaphia are a declared no-return fish as its numbers need to be controlled to safeguard the environment they dwell in.
The interesting thing here is that this fish must be kept and that returning it to the water is actually in breach of the law.
We all have our opinions, and agreeing to disagree is also fine,
as long as the framework of the law remains intact. Some people feel they may protest in this way, but I wonder what the outcome would have been had the protester tried his stunt in this country – and with a person who was in fact acting within the framework of our legislation.
Legislation is now being drafted in the United States that will make it a crime to interfere with a person who is legally harvesting wildlife – be it in the form of angling or hunting.
Today’s photograph is of Ronnie Marshall, who is no stranger to the column and the master of the St George’s surf. This is his favourite spot where he can be seen angling often.
Steenbras are under threat at present and thought should be made before catching for the purposes of taking home.
This weekend we encounter a neap tide with high tide at 7.18am tomorrow. A falling barometer is experienced today and no real wind is predicted for the next two days. However, a rising barometer will be seen on Sunday morning with fresh westerly winds expected in the afternoon.