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- Thread starter John F
- Start date
Andre Laas
Sealiner
Hi John
This is an extremely interesting topic that you are touching on!
I am all for the idea of a "slot limit". This will allow the large number of smaller fish to reproduce at least once before they are removed. There are generally thousands of small fish which can benefit the population by the sheer number of individuals reproducing. Then again the BOFFF's have gotten to their size and age through surviving all the challenges that can be faced in the ocean (or freshwater), and have stood the test of "natural selection". These old ladies not only have good genes that should be preserved in the environment, they also produce enormous volumes of highly viable eggs. Any-way, it is more often than not a case that above a certain size/age fish (like any other animal for that matter) have a considerable reduction in the quality and taste of the "meat" that can be derived from them, and as such it makes much more sense to reserve the "in-between slot limits" sized fish for consumption.
C'mon guys, lets get some more views on this subject!!!
This is an extremely interesting topic that you are touching on!
I am all for the idea of a "slot limit". This will allow the large number of smaller fish to reproduce at least once before they are removed. There are generally thousands of small fish which can benefit the population by the sheer number of individuals reproducing. Then again the BOFFF's have gotten to their size and age through surviving all the challenges that can be faced in the ocean (or freshwater), and have stood the test of "natural selection". These old ladies not only have good genes that should be preserved in the environment, they also produce enormous volumes of highly viable eggs. Any-way, it is more often than not a case that above a certain size/age fish (like any other animal for that matter) have a considerable reduction in the quality and taste of the "meat" that can be derived from them, and as such it makes much more sense to reserve the "in-between slot limits" sized fish for consumption.
C'mon guys, lets get some more views on this subject!!!
BulkCarrier
Sealiner
I totally agree with this. Even for cray fish this will work very well. I know the USA have this kind of limits on their lobster.
Think about it . All cob between 50cm and 80cm must be released and you can keep anything bigger and smaller. Best eating cob is the 40/50 cm cob.
Think about it . All cob between 50cm and 80cm must be released and you can keep anything bigger and smaller. Best eating cob is the 40/50 cm cob.
Namibian23
New member
Hi guys
I see that this thread was written quite a while ago, but am a new member and would like to contribute.
In my brief 20 years of life I have seen the Namibian coastline being raped and pillaged of most of the big Steenbras and Kabeljou, particularly in Terracebay, once the Mecca of huge steenbras. I myslef am yet to catch a 15kg upper which used to be common in those parts.
Bag limits where then introduced, yet many did not care. We now have a system in place where there is a maximum size limit for Steenbras and Cob....where one is only allowed to keep 2 per species over a certain size...I think 70cm for Cob and 65cm for Steenbras if I'm not mistaken. This is a huge step, but I feel that the law should be changed so that no fish of that size and over may be kept.
In any case these big fish taste horrible and a photo should be taken and the fish released.
The best tasting fish are definitely in the 40cm range.
What do you think ???
I see that this thread was written quite a while ago, but am a new member and would like to contribute.
In my brief 20 years of life I have seen the Namibian coastline being raped and pillaged of most of the big Steenbras and Kabeljou, particularly in Terracebay, once the Mecca of huge steenbras. I myslef am yet to catch a 15kg upper which used to be common in those parts.
Bag limits where then introduced, yet many did not care. We now have a system in place where there is a maximum size limit for Steenbras and Cob....where one is only allowed to keep 2 per species over a certain size...I think 70cm for Cob and 65cm for Steenbras if I'm not mistaken. This is a huge step, but I feel that the law should be changed so that no fish of that size and over may be kept.
In any case these big fish taste horrible and a photo should be taken and the fish released.
The best tasting fish are definitely in the 40cm range.
What do you think ???
killer fish
New member
I speak on behalf of the Shore targeted fish Eds catagory.
Many of the present fish size Minimums have remained the same for the past 40 years. Fish not listed on the min size restrictions have to be a Min of 150mm for example Kingfish , Prodical Son. The between thing does not strike me at all. 20 YEARS AGO I tackled the then Natal Parks Board Experts to try and increase the fish size limits and add a few extra to the list.Not much has changed. A Shad for example has been 30cm for as long as i have fished. The hype that has errupted as far as this fish is concerned has in my opinion clouded the minds of our experts. There are many more fish on the list that need this type of attention. Increase size , introduce limits and seasons. Blacktail 25cm, Shad 35cm , Cob 70cm (Shore) Kingfish 70cm Garrick 75cm etc. Forktail measurements only for all eds. If the fish has a curved tail then the fish is measured to the base of the tail.
All fish have varying stages /ages of maturity. All the size limits that were introduced 40 PLUS YEARS AGO need a complete review. The bigger the fish the more eggs are produced , certain fish have a tendancy to have a decline in productivity.
By keeping it PLAIN SIMPLE and EFFECTIVE AS FAR AS THE SIZE LIMITS ,BAG LIMITS and SEASONAL PERIODS ARE CONCERNED will definately have a possitive growth on our fish populations.
Clean up our Estuaries ( Start with educating and providing the people living on the river banks with better facilities or relocate them to appropriate locations.) The Umgeni River and many others have become Filthy Holes because of this. These are our Nursuries.
My OPINION..... have many others but maybe someone else has more Luck in changing a few things within the "NEXT 50 YEARS".
Killer
Many of the present fish size Minimums have remained the same for the past 40 years. Fish not listed on the min size restrictions have to be a Min of 150mm for example Kingfish , Prodical Son. The between thing does not strike me at all. 20 YEARS AGO I tackled the then Natal Parks Board Experts to try and increase the fish size limits and add a few extra to the list.Not much has changed. A Shad for example has been 30cm for as long as i have fished. The hype that has errupted as far as this fish is concerned has in my opinion clouded the minds of our experts. There are many more fish on the list that need this type of attention. Increase size , introduce limits and seasons. Blacktail 25cm, Shad 35cm , Cob 70cm (Shore) Kingfish 70cm Garrick 75cm etc. Forktail measurements only for all eds. If the fish has a curved tail then the fish is measured to the base of the tail.
All fish have varying stages /ages of maturity. All the size limits that were introduced 40 PLUS YEARS AGO need a complete review. The bigger the fish the more eggs are produced , certain fish have a tendancy to have a decline in productivity.
By keeping it PLAIN SIMPLE and EFFECTIVE AS FAR AS THE SIZE LIMITS ,BAG LIMITS and SEASONAL PERIODS ARE CONCERNED will definately have a possitive growth on our fish populations.
Clean up our Estuaries ( Start with educating and providing the people living on the river banks with better facilities or relocate them to appropriate locations.) The Umgeni River and many others have become Filthy Holes because of this. These are our Nursuries.
My OPINION..... have many others but maybe someone else has more Luck in changing a few things within the "NEXT 50 YEARS".
Killer
Previously there was a thread where members discussed this.
I personally agree with your argument. I have a personal limit to which I stick and know a lot of members do the same.
Don't take any under size fish, and release all over 10kg,s.
A 10 kg Cob or Steenbra makes a much better photo than a braai.
I personally agree with your argument. I have a personal limit to which I stick and know a lot of members do the same.
Don't take any under size fish, and release all over 10kg,s.
A 10 kg Cob or Steenbra makes a much better photo than a braai.
Namibian23
New member
Agreed, I do think that some laws are outdated, however as you say it is up to the individual him/herself to stick to the ones in place and also to adhere to ur own i.e. releasing the big one. It is surely one of the best feelings in the world seeing the big one swim away and having the memory captured in a photo.
Education is key and yes I am for releasing the undersize fish, however I do not believe that the keeping of them is even close to as damaging as keeping mature breeding fish. One big fish spawns thousands of little ones and the chance of the little ones reaching maturity in any case is small.
Therefore in my view minimum size limits are not even minutely as important as maximum size limits.
Education is key and yes I am for releasing the undersize fish, however I do not believe that the keeping of them is even close to as damaging as keeping mature breeding fish. One big fish spawns thousands of little ones and the chance of the little ones reaching maturity in any case is small.
Therefore in my view minimum size limits are not even minutely as important as maximum size limits.