AN ASSESSMENT OF THE RECREATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL SKIBOAT FISHERY IN THE TRANSKEI

Abstract

A survey of the recreational and commercial skiboat linefishery in the Transkei was conducted from March 1997 to April 1999. Effort by commercial skiboats was substantially higher than by recreational skiboats, and catch rates on commercial boats were much higher than rates on recreational boats. Catch rates in the region were not greater than those in the adjoining provinces of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, but the mean size of fish caught on commercial skiboats in the southern Transkei was larger than that in either KwaZulu-Natal or the Eastern Cape. Total annual commercial catches estimated for the Transkei were substantially greater than those based on returns submitted by skippers to the National Marine Linefish System. Catches in the northern Transkei were more diverse than in the south, and catches from both regions contained a large number of endemic species. Northern Transkei catches were characterized by subtropical species, whereas those from the southern Transkei contained more warm-temperate species. In the northern region, subtropical species replaced warmtemperate ones during winter. Knowledge of fishing regulations by fishers was reasonable, but compliance was poor, mainly as a result of the low level of enforcement of regulations in this region, which needs to be improved if catches are to be sustained. Among other recommendations, the establishment of an effective marine reserve in the area is a priority; it would assist with the conservation of several species of endemic linefish.

Afr. J. mar. Sci. 25: 61–78