Operation Black Pearl

A

Andre Laas

Sealiner
Hi Guys

I am hoping to get some environmental initiatives off the ground soon, and although I have a couple of ideas, I would welcome all input from everyone in the Sealine community, as this is never going to be a one-man-show. I have just started a new job, so I am still settling in, and getting used to everything. Please bear with me if it looks like I am not too committed to the environmental aspects right now, trust me I am.

For a start however, I would like to post a challenge for all Sealine social outings: On each outing take along a black bag, and between the Sealine members attending the social, try to fill at least one bag with rubbish from the spot chosen for fishing. At the end of the day, take a picture with all of the guys and the bag(s) of rubbish collected.

Although small scale initiatives like this will not immediately make a big impact on the state of our beaches, dam’s and rivers it will be seen, and may just encourage the non-Sealine member fishing close by to dispose of his waste in a similar fashion. The idea is basically to practice what we preach, and to raise awareness. Any input on this matter will also be much appreciated.

 We as an online community have the potential to put back a lot into the environment that provides us with our sport and relaxation. It is an easy and effective way to get together a lot of likeminded guys to work together towards a goal. I believe that by getting initiatives on the way, and seriously showing that we care for our environment and resources, we as a community can in the long run develop the power to pressure authorities to listen to us and take us more seriously. Maybe I am naive and over optimistic, BUT, it is worth fighting for!!!!
 
G

G Spot

New member
On another note.

Why don't all Sealine anglers clip the left pectoral fin of the fish they catch and retain. Also make it public knowledge that any fish with a missing left pectoral fin has been captured by a recreational angler and it should not be sold or bought by anyone. In this way we can ring-fence all responsible recreational fishermen and make it much easier for MCM to nail those who sell fish illegally?

Just an idea to stop those irresponsible "recreationals" from giving us reponsible anglers a bad name.... my two cents worth....it will need a huge advertising capain...maybe MCM and WWF will buy into the idea....
 
O

Obsession

Senior Member
I like the idea but those fins grow back quicher than you think. That is why I tag my fish. Ive just done 330th fish in just over four years.

 

[color=#006600]G Spot[/color] wrote:
On another note.

Why don't all Sealine anglers clip the left pectoral fin of the fish they catch and retain. Also make it public knowledge that any fish with a missing left pectoral fin has been captured by a recreational angler and it should not be sold or bought by anyone. In this way we can ring-fence all responsible recreational fishermen and make it much easier for MCM to nail those who sell fish illegally?

Just an idea to stop those irresponsible "recreationals" from giving us reponsible anglers a bad name.... my two cents worth....it will need a huge advertising capain...maybe MCM and WWF will buy into the idea....
Click to expand...
 
G

G Spot

New member
Maybe I did not explain myself that well. I don't mean the fish we release or tag should have their left pectoral fisn clipped, that would not make any sense at all, rather let the fish go in a whole state.

What I mean is if you decide to keep a fish for the pan for yourself, within the legal bag limits and size of course, you cut the left pectoral fin of the fish you keep. That will prevent you from selling the fish or would alert anyone trying to buy the fish that it was caught by a recreational. This idea will only work if all recreationals abide by the rules and the fish mongers know that they should not purchase any fish with a left pectoral.

Hope my idea makes sense now
 
C

checkpoint

Senior Member
Hey Critter it's a great initiative,something I think we should have started a long time ago,so yeah let's go for it!
 
T

Tony Coetzer

Senior Member
Hey Critter

Awesome idea lets do it and hit it hard even if we randomly pick a spot every month get the boys and girls together and do a beach clean-up take a few pics and wear our colours proudly whilst we do the clean-up
 
S

SAfish

Sealiner
I'm in! Great idea, Critter. I fished yesterday afternoon and spend about a third of the time just picking up discarded line. Why don't we measure the length of all the rope and fishing line that we pick up. Then we can start in Cape Town and see how far we can go with all the line. I'm sure we will reach Jo-burg in no time. Which member is the furthest away from CT? We can make it a challenge to see how long it will take to reach him/her. Just an idea...?
 
Marthin

Marthin

Sealiner
Duidelike gedagte. Imagine if the guy at Melkbos Oppiesee who's been giving everyone trouble comes up to ask what u are doing and u say, not that it's any of ur business but i'm picking up some rubbish while i'm fishing here.
 
O

OFC

Sealiner
Hi all

Been toying with an idea for the last week, after fishing on Winkelsruit's badly littered rocks!

I propose that between Sealine, ESA, local municipalities, tackle shops and bait retailers etc. we have supermarket size bags printed with all participating sponsors names on them, then distributing them to all tackle shops and any outlets that want to help with this cause! From there these bags can be made available to anglers free of charge or at a very small price! This might encourage anglers to keep some in their tackle boxes and use them for their waste, as it is much easier carrying your empty sard boxes, discarded fishing line and other waste in a packet like this, than in your tackle box or bucket!

If this works to even get rid of 30% of the waste left behind on our beaches it will be a major step forward!

In the process all sponsors get "cheap" advertising, and they get a chance to do something for their environment!!!!

Critter has also suggested to me that something similar be done with dustbins on the beach, as they are not always readily available! Maybe these two idea's could make a major dent in the litter problem on our coastline, and promote our sport as a more environmentally conscious pastime!


 
 
S

SAfish

Sealiner
I went fishing yesterday afternoon. Although I didn't catch anything, I did some clean-up afterwards. I managed to fill half a black bag with a weight of 1.81kg. Total length of rope, line etc. was 18.2m. The trash ranged from tins and cans and plastic bags to a dirty nappy. I received some really funny looks. There was this group of people that were fairly loud and they just went quiet as I walked passed them. They went home right after that. When I got back home, my wife asked if I caught any thing and I replied " no fish, only a group of @ssh&les and a big black pearl"! I opened a beer and watched the sun set and thought: "life is goooood!" Will post a pic  tomorrow.
 
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