SAMLMA Meeting

I was asked by Brent to attend this years SAMLMA meeting in PE.

Some interesting bodies whom attended this meeting where:

  • Scientists
  • SA Commercial line fish Association
  • MCM - Some deputy directors and other officials where present.
  • WWF
  • Various other commercial and non commercial fishing sectors.

Just to mention a few.

I was quite surprised to see that Underwater Fishing was welcomed with open arms and it seems as if they want our input at these types of meetings.

Some points that where raised that may affect the underwater fishing guys:

  1. MCM is asking to have the Tuna quotas for recreational fishing decreased. The main reason is that it was felt that recreational “fishermen”, which we fall under, where able to catch 10 large Tuna per day therefore making it viable to sell. Eg: 10 tuna of 50Kg each is 500kg per person. It was felt that a person could not consume this amount of fish and that they where being sold. This affects the commercial Tuna guys as markets get flooded and prices reduced. It was also mentioned that it was illegal!!
  2. It was also mentioned that they will be looking at possibly reducing the quotas of other species, especially line fish.
  3. It was mentioned that MCM do not attend various fishing meetings and therefore do not actually know what is going on at the ground level. Decisions are therefore being made that without the full understanding of the situation. It was hoped that they would attend more meetings to get an accurate picture of all situations.
  4. SA commercial line fish association said that catch records should be supplied by all recreational “fishermen” and should not “cry” if laws are implemented that effect us if we have not done so.

They are very much against the activity of recreational “fishermen” selling their catch. They say it affects there lively hood and their markets. Also saying that it is illegal!!

  1. MCM says that they do not feel that the catch records from all fishing sectors are accurate. They are outsourcing a project to have service providers collect data about catch statistics around the coast. This would be for a trial period and was only for data collection. They asked if all will help and supply data in this regard.
  2. SADSAA is funding and is busy with a research study to determine the value of recreational fishing to the economy of SA. This is to be passed onto government and is hoped that recreational fishing would then have a voice and be heard when management decisions are being made. – I feel that we need to be part of this!!
  3. Underwater fishing raised the situation whereby shore recreational fishermen could fish in certain restricted areas but shore underwater fishermen where prohibited in doing so. SAMLMA agreed and approved it in principle that we should have the same rights. It was then asked that SAUFF send a letter of motivation to SAMLMA and they will take it further on our behalf.

It was mentioned at the meeting that the only reason why this discrepancy happened is that the shore anglers had a voice and an opinion when areas where closed. Underwater fishing did not voice any opinion and therefore where included in the restriction. They basically said that it was our own fault!! We obviously have to wait for the outcome.

  1. MCM was asked what the success rate was with convictions with regards to “recreational  fishermen” selling their catch. MCM replied that it was very difficult to get convictions as the buyers where saying that they where storing the fish on behalf of the person that caught them.
  2. It was mentioned that a MPA could be formed in the Agulhas banks region, this could possibly affect the Underwater Fishermen in this region.

There was limited time so only a few Underwater Fishing issues could be raised. The chairman however did say that we could forward other matters of concern through to him and they would be looked at and addressed.

In a discussion with some MCM officials, during and after the meeting, it was mentioned that MCM had received some complaints with regards to some underwater fishermen on the Tuna grounds off Cape Point. The complaint came from some commercial fishermen and Trawlers/long liners whereby they felt that some underwater fishermen had no regard for distance around other vessels. They felt that underwater fishermen where diving to close to other vessels and even getting tangled in nets in one instance.  They asked if we would respect the other vessels out there and keep a safe, respectful distance.

There were obviously many other issues discussed but these where the main ones that could affect underwater fishing as a whole.

I feel that underwater fishing needs to keep their finger on the pulse with regards to anything that could affect our sport. We also need to be recognized in the “fishing community” as an official body with a voice.

We therefore need to be represented at these types of meetings in the future.

Please click on the following links to download the Agenda and Addendums

Kind regards

Mark Jackson