In , South Africa became the first country to grant legal protection to great white sharks, and since then shark viewing and cage diving have become a major tourist industry along its southern coast, hosting more than 80, visitors a year and helping to contribute tens of millions of dollars to the economy.
Many shark conservation organizations are active here, sharks are often portrayed positively in the local media, and many visitors doubtless leave with the impression that South Africa is serious about shark conservation. Most sharks are vulnerable to overfishing because they have few young, mature slowly, and live a long time soupfin sharks can live to Shark populations usually recover from decline far more slowly than most bony fishes, over decades rather than years.
DAFF scientists analyze data to make catch size recommendations for different species, but DAFF managers many of whom are not scientists ultimately determine fishing permit conditions and grant fishing rights based on a number of considerations, many of which are political.
Employees at environmental non-profits say that DAFF management is now under immense pressure to be seen creating jobs. The South African fishing industry has been beset by allegations of high-level corruption for years; many of the biggest players in scandals linked to the current ruling party have roots in fishing. A government-commissioned investigation into fishing permit irregularities found that at least three participants in the demersal shark longline fishery had obtained rights without having the required shark-fishing boats.
Another influential player in the sector, Sharmilla van Heerden of Fisherman Fresh, has multiple boats and touts her relationships with DAFF officials. Some experts believe South Africa's great white sharks are in trouble because longline fishing boats are decimating smaller sharks, a favorite prey species. A research program led by shark researcher Matt Dicken has tagged smooth-hound sharks in the port of Coega, about miles east of False Bay.
Dicken says that of the 9 tags reported outside the port, seven were from sharks caught by demersal shark longliners. Unpublished data from an acoustic tagging program that tracks fish along the South African coast suggests high mortality rates among young hammerhead and bronze whaler sharks. Chris Fallows has documented dramatic drops in young hammerhead sharks in a nursery site on the south coast. WWF-South Africa also has raised red flags about shark fishing via its South African Sustainable Seafood Initiative SASSI , which scientifically assesses available data and ranks species as green well-managed , orange consume with caution and red do not buy to encourage consumers to buy fish from well-managed stocks.
In , SASSI ranked soupfin and common smooth-hound sharks as red species owing to a lack of data about stocks and indications that they may be overfished. The current minister of DAFF and the deputy director-general in charge of fisheries are reportedly under investigation for taking bribes from an abalone kingpin. Some of the bribe money was allegedly destined for former president Jacob Zuma.
There is therefore no upper limit on the sharks that rights-holders can kill. Seek advice first. If you fancy a spot of wreck fishing in St Ives, Bluefin runs trips. You can also see Seal Island from the coast path. Take your binoculars, as you may be lucky enough to spot dolphins or basking sharks, or even those famous Atlantic grey seals. Photography by Adam Sargent. What is Seal Island? Navy used the island as a bombing range. Access: The island is closed to public visitation.
All food, gear, water and personal equipment are rowed ashore in a dory or small inflatable rowboat stored on the island. The landing is generally straightforward, but can be very slippery at low tide with numerous bowling ball sized and larger cobbles covered with slippery algae. High tide is generally the preferred time to land.
Island staff and volunteers are responsible for securing supplies and groceries before heading to the island. Island Living and Accommodations: During the field season, people live and work on the island. The Seal Island 12'x12 ft cabin serves as the kitchen, "dining room" and office. Tent platforms are provided for personal tents. The kitchen has a propane stove and small refrigerator.
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