Large quantities of squid fishery-associated pollution on Plett beaches
The recent arrival of a sizable fleet of chokka boats in Plettenberg Bay has caused quite a stir among locals.
Reports are now filtering in, of unusually large quantities of waste washing ashore on local beaches. As with all vessels at sea, there are existing laws prohibiting the discarding of waste overboard, but due to lack of enforcement and goodwill on behalf of some fishermen, lots of rubbish gets thrown overboard, particularly from chokka boats. Such pollution is particularly rife along the shores of the traditional squid fishing grounds further east.
The fact that the squid fishery typically operates close inshore means that a lot of discarded waste washes up on beaches.
This is very worrying in terms of animal welfare as lost or discarded fishing gear and plastic items can cause harm and death in marine animals, especially when ingested or causing entanglement.
Please record and photograph any unusually large quantities of squid fishery-associated pollution on Plett beaches over the next few days. Typical items include squid jigging lures, fishing line and spools, elongated sponges, plastics, lighters, milk cartons, bottles, vegetables, and other food items.
You can send your evidence and concerns directly to the South African Squid Management Industrial Association (SASMIA) by contacting them on 027-(0)41 585 1652.
Most South African squid fishing vessels have home ports in St. Francis and Port Elizabeth and mainly target spawning squid between Port Alfred and Tsitsikamma. Sometimes squid runs are thicker further afield, such as the current situation in Plett, where traditional spawning sites also occur.
The squid fishery was established in 1985 with sustainable catch and effort controls in place to this day, including a month-long closed season in the peak spawning season to allow squid sufficient time to reproduce undisturbed. A second closed has also been implemented in recent years.
If you care that the chokka fishing crews are chucking their trash overboard and it’s landing on our beaches, please phone or email the following companies in Port St Francis and voice your concerns and ask them to speak to their crews about not polluting our beaches while they are in our bay, fishing our chokka.
Balobi Fishing – Mark Rowe – 042 2940148 – email
DMA Fishing – Greg Christy – 042 294 1977 – email
Frontline Seafood Traders – Debbie Christy – 042 294 -97 – email
Comicx Products (Pty) Ltd – Karen Humby – 042 294 0432 – email
Vukani Fishing – 042 296 1676 – email