Tsitsikamma MPA
- Thread starter Psy
- Start date
"You are probably aware that there is a proposal to rezone large sections of Tsitsikamma MPA to allow the local communities (only) to fish there. Please read the attached article, written by some of the countries top scientists, and Government Gazette for further information.
If this goes through the reef fish species would take a serious knock which will affect all of us.
Please distribute this article widely, and EVERYONE must submit comments to the address provided at the end of the article".
The future depends on your actions.
Please
your opinions and concerns to the email within the pdf : MPARegs@environment.gov.za
Dr halibut hoffman
Moderator
I have stayed close by for extended periods, I used to poach there for blacktails and shad for the pan but don't anymore as it caused an ethical dilemma for me and now I put most of my kolstert back since I learn't how slow they grow anyway.
Ja I reckon it is a *** idea. As much I would love to fish there but what is the point of no-take zones if we are just going to take. And to give it to just a few, even if I was one, is just wrong and possibly unconstitutional. If we are to open it, I would police it heavily (which DOES NOT happen anyway and you can just go and fish if you want anyway no one will stop you in large sections of the park and some poach with rubberducks and spearguns, you'd be surprised), also I would open it up for anyone who applies for a permit and just open it up for pelagics from the side/shore. That would severely limit the pressure on sensitive stocks there and make it interesting and keep it within the confines of the constitution. I would also extend the no-take much further out to sea as with the severe upwelling and shifting of the thermocline that happens here the reef fish spend half of their time outside the park on the reefs further out anyway and are vulnerable to being caught and are in truth most likely targeted by ski-boaters and commercials anyway, this would prevent this. Or one would have to just open it up like cape point and have no-take zones within the park but what would be the point, I believe we need more no take zones. Best case IMO would be to open up little bits of deep water access to anyone who gets a permit and allow us to target stocks that are healthy and are moving through only. Reef stocks are stuffed and we would be fools not to protect them for the future.
Ja I reckon it is a *** idea. As much I would love to fish there but what is the point of no-take zones if we are just going to take. And to give it to just a few, even if I was one, is just wrong and possibly unconstitutional. If we are to open it, I would police it heavily (which DOES NOT happen anyway and you can just go and fish if you want anyway no one will stop you in large sections of the park and some poach with rubberducks and spearguns, you'd be surprised), also I would open it up for anyone who applies for a permit and just open it up for pelagics from the side/shore. That would severely limit the pressure on sensitive stocks there and make it interesting and keep it within the confines of the constitution. I would also extend the no-take much further out to sea as with the severe upwelling and shifting of the thermocline that happens here the reef fish spend half of their time outside the park on the reefs further out anyway and are vulnerable to being caught and are in truth most likely targeted by ski-boaters and commercials anyway, this would prevent this. Or one would have to just open it up like cape point and have no-take zones within the park but what would be the point, I believe we need more no take zones. Best case IMO would be to open up little bits of deep water access to anyone who gets a permit and allow us to target stocks that are healthy and are moving through only. Reef stocks are stuffed and we would be fools not to protect them for the future.
Def-e-nition
Sealiner
Dr halibut hoffman wrote:
As i would have Said it .
Case closed .It shouldn't be opened .
E mail has been sent Simon ...
As i would have Said it .
Case closed .It shouldn't be opened .
E mail has been sent Simon ...
Pieter Immelman
Sealiner
More clarity of what is intended:
http://traveller24.news24.com/News/anglers-101-a-guide-to-the-tsitsikamma-marine-protected-areas-pilot-20151214
Can anyone tell me how and who is going to police this new scheme?
No sense in having a rule or law and you don't have people to enforce it.
http://traveller24.news24.com/News/anglers-101-a-guide-to-the-tsitsikamma-marine-protected-areas-pilot-20151214
Can anyone tell me how and who is going to police this new scheme?
No sense in having a rule or law and you don't have people to enforce it.
Pieter Immelman
Sealiner
More opinions:
http://traveller24.news24.com/Explore/tsitsikamma-mpa-pilot-destroying-50-years-of-conservation-20151215
http://traveller24.news24.com/Explore/tsitsikamma-mpa-pilot-destroying-50-years-of-conservation-20151215
So what fish are caught in the Tsitsikamma National Park and why is it important to keep this MPA closed?
An assessment by leading scientists in South Africa reveals the following:
* Of the 25 most common shore angling species caught within the Tsitsikamma National Park 20 (80%) are endemic to South Africa and found nowhere else in the world. South Africa therefore has the sole responsibility to manage these species sustainably for future generations.
* Fourteen (56%) of the species are resident and do not move around much which means that they are well protected in a marine reserve – in the reserve they can grow large and breed to supply fish to areas outside the reserve.
* 10 of the species are overexploited or collapsed within their South African distributions. No-take MPAs such as the Tsitsikamma are therefore vital to ensure the future survival and potential recovery of these fish populations. The fact that some species such as roman and bronze bream have healthy populations is primarily thanks to the protection these species receive within South Africa’s existing network of no-take MPAs including the TNP.
* 9 of the top 25 species (36%) are listed on one of the IUCN’s Global Red List of threatened categories (i.e. Near threatened, Vulnerable or Endangered). This highlights South Africa’s international obligation to manage these species on a sustainable basis.
* 13 of these species (52%) are listed on the South African Sustainable Seafood Initiative (SASSI) as orange or red.
Some of these fish grow to ages in excess of 40 years.
(Information supplied by the "Friends of Tsitsikamma")
Please add your support to keeping the MPA closed by going to the link provided below and signing the petition so that this and other MPAs in South Africa can benefit the entire nation and not just a vociferous minority.
Petition to add your name - http://orcafoundation.com/tsitsikamma-marine-protected-are…/
An assessment by leading scientists in South Africa reveals the following:
* Of the 25 most common shore angling species caught within the Tsitsikamma National Park 20 (80%) are endemic to South Africa and found nowhere else in the world. South Africa therefore has the sole responsibility to manage these species sustainably for future generations.
* Fourteen (56%) of the species are resident and do not move around much which means that they are well protected in a marine reserve – in the reserve they can grow large and breed to supply fish to areas outside the reserve.
* 10 of the species are overexploited or collapsed within their South African distributions. No-take MPAs such as the Tsitsikamma are therefore vital to ensure the future survival and potential recovery of these fish populations. The fact that some species such as roman and bronze bream have healthy populations is primarily thanks to the protection these species receive within South Africa’s existing network of no-take MPAs including the TNP.
* 9 of the top 25 species (36%) are listed on one of the IUCN’s Global Red List of threatened categories (i.e. Near threatened, Vulnerable or Endangered). This highlights South Africa’s international obligation to manage these species on a sustainable basis.
* 13 of these species (52%) are listed on the South African Sustainable Seafood Initiative (SASSI) as orange or red.
Some of these fish grow to ages in excess of 40 years.
(Information supplied by the "Friends of Tsitsikamma")
Please add your support to keeping the MPA closed by going to the link provided below and signing the petition so that this and other MPAs in South Africa can benefit the entire nation and not just a vociferous minority.
Petition to add your name - http://orcafoundation.com/tsitsikamma-marine-protected-are…/
Attachments
An Update:
09/01/2016
Dear Friends of Tsitsikamma,
Many thanks for your support - yesterday we were successful in stopping the pilot fishing in the Tsitsikamma National Park. This outcome means a victory for all those passionate about and prepared to have their voices heard for the environment. More importantly, those administering environmental law know that they will be held accountable by civil society, who act for this generation and future generations.
But - the integrity of the Tsitsikamma National Park is still under threat. The Minister of the Environment still plans to open parts of the reserve to recreational fishing for selected local community members. The government gazette published with this proposal is open for public comment until the 1 February 2016.
These are still the options for people:
1) Sign the petition on the Orca Foundation Website
http://orcafoundation.com/tsitsikamma-marine-protected-area-petition/ OR
2) Write directly to the DEA expressing your objection to the opening. As the consultation period is still open. MPARegs@environment.gov.za, Xola Mkefe 021 819 2466 Please could you copy any letters to me so that we know what is submitted.
Thank-you again for your support.
09/01/2016
Dear Friends of Tsitsikamma,
Many thanks for your support - yesterday we were successful in stopping the pilot fishing in the Tsitsikamma National Park. This outcome means a victory for all those passionate about and prepared to have their voices heard for the environment. More importantly, those administering environmental law know that they will be held accountable by civil society, who act for this generation and future generations.
But - the integrity of the Tsitsikamma National Park is still under threat. The Minister of the Environment still plans to open parts of the reserve to recreational fishing for selected local community members. The government gazette published with this proposal is open for public comment until the 1 February 2016.
These are still the options for people:
1) Sign the petition on the Orca Foundation Website
http://orcafoundation.com/tsitsikamma-marine-protected-area-petition/ OR
2) Write directly to the DEA expressing your objection to the opening. As the consultation period is still open. MPARegs@environment.gov.za, Xola Mkefe 021 819 2466 Please could you copy any letters to me so that we know what is submitted.
Thank-you again for your support.
Dr halibut hoffman
Moderator
I had my eye on a certain kraal but alas it is for the best 
Well done to those who sorted this out in court as it was clearly illegal legislation... and I hope that they step up their monitoring as the place gets fished, believe me.
Well done to those who sorted this out in court as it was clearly illegal legislation... and I hope that they step up their monitoring as the place gets fished, believe me.
Dr halibut hoffman
Moderator
http://traveller24.news24.com/Explore/Green/upset-tsitsikamma-anglers-threaten-safety-of-otter-trail-hikers-20160208
These are the same idiots that rape the fish and leave a huge mess when the fish run at natures valley. I have cleaned up after them a few and hope they get at least their fishing licenses revoked and this whole farce gets conclusively binned. The last time it got opened, it got closed because of the mess and litter these fishers would leave behind on the pristine otter trail, now they threaten violence?! All because of poverty, but are the poor going to provide the tourism dollars once they chase them away.
I'll place bets that the local shebeen owner is not very poor. I'm sure he/she doesn't fish but gets a whole lot wealthier after a good run of geelbek..work that one out.
Also I wonder what the Storms River Police and the local security companies think about this? They are don't have a reputation for taking any k@k and I don't reckon these threats are going to go down lightly...
These are the same idiots that rape the fish and leave a huge mess when the fish run at natures valley. I have cleaned up after them a few and hope they get at least their fishing licenses revoked and this whole farce gets conclusively binned. The last time it got opened, it got closed because of the mess and litter these fishers would leave behind on the pristine otter trail, now they threaten violence?! All because of poverty, but are the poor going to provide the tourism dollars once they chase them away.
I'll place bets that the local shebeen owner is not very poor. I'm sure he/she doesn't fish but gets a whole lot wealthier after a good run of geelbek..work that one out.
Also I wonder what the Storms River Police and the local security companies think about this? They are don't have a reputation for taking any k@k and I don't reckon these threats are going to go down lightly...
@ PSY...............Do you know about the Gazette No. 10553 Vol. 608 dated 3 February
No. 39646.
https://www.environment.gov.za/sites/default/files/gazetted_notices/nempaa57of2003_draftregulations_newproposedmarineprotectedarea1_gg39646.pdf
It is one long doc which need close study , but by the sounds of things it has "good" intentions , but my take is its targeting some wrongly identified areas........
I am yet to read & weep if needed.
No. 39646.
https://www.environment.gov.za/sites/default/files/gazetted_notices/nempaa57of2003_draftregulations_newproposedmarineprotectedarea1_gg39646.pdf
It is one long doc which need close study , but by the sounds of things it has "good" intentions , but my take is its targeting some wrongly identified areas........
I am yet to read & weep if needed.
