Demersal Shark Long Lining Fishery
By Lloyd Edwards

1. News

Thanks to Ronelle Friend for her research and tireless work to expose this fishery and the lack of commitment from the DA's Minister of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment to do anything about it. At least the ANC's Minister Creecy at the time established a Task Team to modify the regulations . . . not that it helped! The DLSF simply ignored them.

Demersal longline shark fishing is a permitted fishery in SA.

It uses kms and kms of fishing line and thousands of baited hooks to target sharks species. This fishery is unsustainable and not to the benefit of South Africa, due to the following:

• According to leading shark experts, the catching of species like the soupfin shark (critically endangered) and common smooth-hound shark (endangered) are being caught at a rate far exceeding scientific recommendations. Since upper catch limits have only been put in place recently, the collapsing of the shark stock can occur.
• The smaller shark species that are mainly targeted are also the primary prey of the larger sharks, specifically the great white shark. Thus, catching the smaller sharks depletes a primary food source of the larger sharks, which further impact on the marine ecosystem. This is a significant concern, since the white shark numbers are so low. A disappearing food source is a cause of concern and drastic action is required to stop this fishery.
• With a fishery like this, longline baited hooks, other species and non-targeted linefish and other sharks will be attracted to it and be caught. White sharks are protected and catching them is prohibited, however, they end up on the hooks as well and are killed. A further reason to not allow this DLSF.
• A major problem with this fishery is the lack of enforcement of permit conditions. The boats are notorious for fishing illegally inside protected marine zones. The White Rose was caught red-handed in 2019 during a three day fishing episode in De Hoop MPA.
• The fishery has inadequate monitoring at sea, and there has been NO independent observers on board ever. In addition, sharks have to be landed whole, but the vessel, Zanette, was found earlier this year where sharks were landed with heads and tails cut off. A clear violation of permit conditions.

Then the issue is – who eats shark meat? No South African will eat it. The fillets are exported to Australia to be sold as “Flake and Chips”.

Clearly DLSF has limited benefit to us, but huge irreversible consequences. It should be stopped.

So there you have it, please put pressure on your DA ward councillors to get the Minister to act . . . or vote for another party that will do something