The State of Yellowfishes in South Africa - 2007

G

Guest

Guest
The National Spatial Biodiversity Assessment released in 2005 by the National Biodiversity Institute in Pretoria reported a frightening 82% of our rivers are “threatened” of which 42% are “critically threatened”. South Africans should be particularly concerned about this statement as most of our country can be described as semi-arid or arid and water is fast becoming a scarce resource. Rapid development of the economy and increasing population places even greater strain on water that must be used many times over before it flows to the sea. At the same time poorly maintained municipal treatment plants together with other factors have resulted in massive fish kills along the Vaal and other rivers. Therefore attention to the quantity and quality of our water, the very basic requirement of life, should receive the highest priority.

A major project undertaken by the Yellowfish Working Group (YWG) and funded mainly with a grant from the Water Research Commission (WRC) highlights this problem. Termed ‘The State of Yellowfishes in South-Africa – 2007’ it is the first-ever study aimed at the protection of our nine indigenous yellowfish species and their habitat. Yellows are excellent indicators of river health and are frequently used by the authorities for this purpose when monitoring the condition of our inland waterways. In addition these fishes are very valuable recreational angling fishes and are also an important source of protein for subsistence fishermen.

The project comprises several parts:

1. A popular report of 76 pages in full colour with about 100 photos. Among the contributors to this report are leading aquatic scientists, conservationists, anglers and a lawyer specialising in environmental legislation. This document covers the status of our nine yellowfishes as well as matters relating to their habitat, the threats to that habitat and how to protect it.

2. A detailed distribution map of the nine species.

3. A large poster depicting the upside of clean rivers and the intensely adverse effects of polluted rivers. This poster is a vital element in the publicity campaign and the WRC and the YWG intend distributing it to schools, clubs, municipalities, industry and riparian owners.


The main objectives of this report are to emphasize that by protecting our valuable yellowfishes there will be a significant and concurrent improvement in the quality of our rivers as well as in the quality of our life.

Copies of the report K8/719 may be obtained at a price of R50,00 each plus postage from the Water Research Commission by emailing orders@wrc.org.za or faxing 012-3312565.

WELL WORTH THE READ !
 
G

Guest

Guest
No vendatta :)

Just dif in opinion. We have chatted privately and closed the matter.
 
G

Guest

Guest
phwahahaha,

Nearly choked on my coffee laughing. ::eek:op::

Sorry LGF !,

Just in: A dam near Stellenboch has just been cleaned of allien fish (Carp, Bass, Trout) and the indigenous Barbus Andrewi (Cape White Yellow fish) introduced as a means of getting the state of this fish back to its former glory. Although this will take long, I would like to see what the results of such a program is (mybe not in my lifetime, but...)
 
L

Little Green Fish

Sealiner
Guys

Just 1 question, just 1, how is it that bass which was introduced in the 1920's, carp inrtoduced whenever, and so forth on the alien front, have struggled in the war to make the yellows become extinct for so many years, seeing that they are such a enormous threat to the survival of yellows in our waters?

Shortly put, If these aliens are such an enormous threat to yellows, why haven't the yellows gone extinct in all these years?

Would love to see the answers!

LGF
 
G

Guest

Guest
Goog point LGF,

However, a few years back they were, close as dammit, to become extinct. The strange thing though is that it was the artlure/flyfishing facet that turned this arround - focussing on preservation of these species and out of this the program grew emmensly.
 
L

Loams

Sealiner
In other words people starting taking smaller bags home.... It's not the alien species fault that we have/had a problem with  Yellow's numbers, it's us humans.
 
G

Guest

Guest
Let me list some of the major reasons (and yes - the alien fish are not the only reason). Herewith in order of main culprits:

1) Polution (remember the overflow of sewege into the Vaal system)

2) Humans (killing of indiginous species) - some with no reason and some becasue of sustainability

3) Alien spiecies

As you see the alien speices are third on the list but all the above should be addressed and not just one.

And as we said in the late 80's "oor en uit"
 
L

Loams

Sealiner
Ok, here's my suggestion.

Deal with the first two points which are both caused by humans, you'll never get rid of Alien fish species.

After points 1 & 2 are solved, you'll probably not have problems with Yellowfish numbers
 
G

Guest

Guest
Loams,

 

Im up in Gabs ever so often (one of our hotels are there) we shoud meet up for a beer sometime and discuss this further if you want. Like I said - its like voting for a party. And it willbe damn difficult to change the way someone votes. I vote Yellowfish you vote Bass. Thats just the way things are.

But, yes lets hook up, maybe if you want we go to the upper Zambezi and hit the fish there.
 
L

Loams

Sealiner
Sure, we can meet up sometime when you are here. We'll have to put off the Zambezi trip a bit though. I cannot really travel much this year.

Anyway, It's not about voting really in my opinion. It's about being realistic. There is so much Bass in SA and in the natural river systems that unless you net the whole Vaal, the Whole Marico and whatever other rivers they occur, plus the adjoining dams you'll never get them all. Then all it takes is one cormorant to dip his feet into a Bass nest, get some eggs attached and fly off to the Marico river, and the fish is right back. Then of course, you would have to understand that even if you net very carefully, some of the smaller fish will escape. It's all about logistics.

I really think the YWG is doing good work, and they need to find ways to improve the Yellow's populations in SA, but going after Alien fish is too much work, time and money. That, and you'll have an entire sporting community that spends millions annually looking for you :D

Whereas with humans, you can control their interference much easier.

Personally, I won't feel hard done by if Bass is removed, but perhaps I fell like this because I know it's not possible.

If it ever happens, I'll take up Fly fishing for Yellow's :D
 
G

Guest

Guest
Hehe,

 

Maybe I should hide my Location:D.  Maybe I should stop stirring the pot and leave the environment to the environmentalists and do my angling as most of us do. Enjoy en relax.

I'll let you know when I'm up in Gabs again. I will be at the Gaborone Sun.
 
L

Loams

Sealiner
Ja, you are probably right, besides most people on this forum are conservation minded and none actually pillage the fish stocks. It's kinda like preaching to the converted.

Besides, I am sure the guys on this forum tha bowfishes are savvy enough to know when to slow down. You can't paint everyone with the same brush :)

Anyhow, tight lines!!
 
L

Little Green Fish

Sealiner
Guys

Let me throw another stick into the bush and see what jumps out......

Lake Mteri Zimbabwe, alien bass, bream, kurper and so forth in the water, balanced eco system and the real beauty is NO HUMAN INTERVENTION......

LGF
 
L

Land Locked

Senior Member
Nature will prevail, with or without human intervention. I grant that man can really mess it up, but nature will balance if man just leaves well enough alone.

LL
 
G

Guest

Guest
Thought I would revive this thread - seing that we have been chatting about the same issues as within the carp forum.
 
G

GTZA

Banned
[color=#006600]Little Green Fish[/color] wrote:
Guys

Just 1 question, just 1, how is it that bass which was introduced in the 1920's, carp inrtoduced whenever, and so forth on the alien front, have struggled in the war to make the yellows become extinct for so many years, seeing that they are such a enormous threat to the survival of yellows in our waters?

Shortly put, If these aliens are such an enormous threat to yellows, why haven't the yellows gone extinct in all these years?

Would love to see the answers!

LGF
Click to expand...
In two words: "lag time"
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top