DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM
MEDIA STATEMENT
6 November 2008
For immediate release
RECREATIONAL Anglers and MARINE SCIENTISTS cooperate in research EFFORT on smoothhound SHARKS
The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism 's marine and coastal management branch and the West Coast Shore Angling Association are cooperating in a joint venture on Saturday 8 November 2008 to try to tag as many smoothhound sharks as possible as part of research into the population of smooth hound sharks in the Langebaan Lagoon system.
The joint venture which is dubbed the Langebaan Lagoon Smoothound Shark Derby 2008 is a tag and release tournament aimed at promoting collaborative opportunities between marine scientists and fishers to strengthen the sustainable management of marine resources. It will further assist with the existing research on the smoothhound shark population in Langebaan Lagoon.
Recent studies have shown that the main angling target species smoothhound shark, white stumpnose and elf are resident in the lagoon. The tag and recapture experiment will help to identify the stock size of the population of these species within the Langebaan –Saldanha bay area and the results will inform the sustainable management of these species.
Smoothhound sharks (Mustelus mustelus) are commonly caught off Southern African waters by commercial trawlers, long-lining operations, line-fishing boats, shore based recreational fishermen. Smoothhound sharks are one of the most frequently caught species. They are abundant in bays with soft substrate such as Langebaan Lagoon, where they feed on benthic invertebrates.
Sharks are slow growing animals, mature late and produce small numbers of offspring. These life-history traits make them extremely vulnerable to over-exploitation.
The tournament will be also be used to introduce the Green Marine Angling program, an initiative of the South African Shark Conservancy (SASC), in collaboration with the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism . This program is geared towards responsible angling where a code of handling is introduced to minimize the effects of poor handling practices when releasing fish.
This tournament does not only represent an exciting angling experience but also an opportunity a member of the South African Shore Angling Association,for anglers to actively participate in research on a locally important species aimed to assure the sustainable management of the smoothhound shark, based on sound scientific knowledge.
Only anglers who are registered members of the South African Shore Angling Association (SASAA) will be accepted to fish in this tournament. A maximum of 100 anglers will be allowed to participate. The West Coast Shore Angling Association is a member of the SAAA.
The Derby is taking place from 5:00 when registration starts at the Langebaan Yacht Club. Angling will be from 06:00 until 13:00.
Marine scientists from the department will participate and provide assistance with the tagging.
Contact: Carol Moses 0828293917 or cmoses@deat.gov.za
Issued by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism on 6 November 2008
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