Kayak Fishing South Africa Sales and hire of Kayak Fishing Skis Umkomaas Aliwal Shoal Durban South Coast KZN Lowrance Fish finders

Kayak Fishing South Africa Sales and hire of Kayak Fishing Skis Umkomaas Aliwal Shoal Durban South Coast KZN

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Kayak Fishing News

Check out up to date news on www.kayakfishingsa.co.za

New fishing lure website www.gladiatorlures.co.za

For up to date Kayak fishing reports on the Durban South coast see www.kayakfishingsa.co.za

January 2010 Salt Rock Kayak fishing competition 30th January. Update huge swell only 4 fish caught!

January 2010 SAKFA Presentation at Winklespruit Kayak Fishing club

December 2009 Evolution 495 Now available

June 2009 Stealth Evolution 465 review here

June 2009 Stealth Evolution 430 review here

May 2009 Sardine news and updates here here

May 2009 Kayak fishing reports for KZN Durban South Coast here

May 2009 What's happening with Kayak fishing laws in South Africa check here

Jan 29th New SA website coming within 3 weeks Online shop for Kayaks and accessories in South Africa

Jan 18th-28th Good Snoek fishing Kingfish of 20.7kg caught by T McAlpine 22kg Couta D Thomas. A few Couta but not many small shoal fish

Jan 10th-17th Plenty of Snoek about a few Couta getting caught

Jan 3rd-10th 2009 Caught Dorado and a few small Couta this week. Water is now very clean and warming up nicely.

Jan 2 2009 First aid kits and safety kits in stock within the next week

Jan 2 2009 Pencil flares now back in stock

Jan 2 2009 SAKFA ( South African Kayak Fishing Association) www.sakfa.co.za numbers now being seen on a lot of Kayaks

Jan 1 2009 North East winds have slowed down the start of the season, not many fish being caught. Odd Dorado and a few Couta

December 2008 Anyone wanting a new Kayak please get your orders in as there is very little stock and a lot of back orders

December 2008 I am doing lots of fishing clinics at the Guest House which have been very popular.

December 2008 The sea has gone cold and the weather is terrible. We are using the river for paddling techniques and practicing in the surf zone.

December 2008 Lots of people book on fishing trips and coaching sessions with me. Good to see a few ladies getting into Kayak fishing

December 2008 Started off with a few early fish and the big Yellow fin Tuna are still about

December 2008 Scottburgh Kayak Fishing Club now accepting new members and issuing SAKFA numbers for Kayaks

November 2008 SAKFA numbers and safety checks being done on Fishing Kayaks

News widgets and RSS feeds

SOUTH AFRICAN ASSOCIATION FOR MARINE BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH

Reg. No. 1951/000002/082/08

SAAMBR Incorporates

Oceanographic Research Institute (ORI)

Sea World at uShaka Marine World

Sea World Education Centre

Tel: +27 (31) 328 8222

1 King Shaka Avenue Durban 4001

Fax: +27(31) 328 8188

P O Box 10712 Marine Parade 4056E-mail: info@saambr.org.za

KwaZulu-Natal South Africa

PADDLESKI FISHING RESEARCH: OCEANOGRAPHIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE

03 October 2008

Dear paddleski angler

We would like to thank you for participating in the Oceanographic Research Institute’s study of the KwaZulu-Natal paddleski fishery – your input into fisheries conservation is valued and appreciated. We have now collected enough information to meet the primary objective of the study, and accordingly we will be terminating both the on-line socio-economic questionnaire and the catch survey websites.

We are happy to announce that the study was a success and a report, including management recommendations, has already been submitted to the Directorate: Marine and Coastal Management of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. Indications are that the report was well-received by Government.

A second attachment to this email includes a brief report summarizing some of the results of the study. We are also hoping to produce a scientific paper on this project for publication in a suitable journal.

Thanking you once again for assisting ORI in its research efforts.

Wising you a safe and successful time on the water!

Pierre Pradervand and Bruce Mann

ORI Scientist ORI Senior Scientist

sparid@gmail.com bruce@ori.org.za

ASSESSMENT OF THE KWAZULU-NATAL PADDLECRAFT FISHERY

PROJECT LEADERS B.Q. MANN & R.P. VAN DER ELST

PROJECT PARTICIPANTS P. PRADERVAND

SOURCE OF FUNDS SAAMBR, MCM/NRF Provincial Fund

PROJECT STATUS Completed

REPORTING PERIOD 1 JANUARY TO 31 DECEMBER 2007

RATIONALE / OVERALL GOAL

Anecdotal evidence suggests that the KZN paddlecraft fishery (known locally as fishing skis) is currently expanding in terms of number of participants and areas fished. The traditional paddlecraft fishery was restricted to the sheltered inshore waters off the Durban beachfront (launching in the lee of Vetch’s Pier), but recent improvements in the design and abilities of these craft have led to an increase in the popularity and distribution of this form of fishing. A number of factors render the paddlecraft fishery of particular interest/concern to managers:

Launching of craft into the sea is not restricted to licensed launch sites.
Financial outlay for entrance into this fishery is comparatively low.
Preliminary data suggests catch rates for this fishery can be comparatively high.
Increased costs in the traditional skiboat fishery may encourage skiboaters to join the paddlecraft fishery.
Restricted access to areas of coast due to the ban on beach vehicles may encourage shore anglers to join the paddlecraft fishery.

For these reasons the general aim of this study was to provide a baseline assessment of the KZN paddlecraft fishery with a view to ensuring that it develops into a coastal asset, rather than a problem for coastal managers and a further threat to already compromised linefish resources.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to provide an overall description and baseline assessment of the extent and relative social, economic and environmental impacts of the paddlecraft fishery in KZN.

KEY QUESTIONS

1. What is the current participation in, and extent of, the paddle-craft fishery in KZN? (temporal & spatial)

2. What is the CPUE and catch composition for this fishery? (temporal & spatial)

3. What is the total catch for this fishery?

4. What is the social and economic value of this fishery?

HIGHLIGHTS

· Total annual effort in the KZN paddlecraft fishery was calculated to be approximately 14 280 outings per annum and made up of a minimum of 649 fishers.

· The area from Westbrook to Amanzimtoti had the highest paddleski fishing effort along the KZN coast.

· December to June had the highest overall monthly effort indices.

· The average CPUE for the KZN paddlecraft fishery according to EKZNW boat inspections conducted during the period 2005–2007 was 1.1 fish/outing.

· A total of 46 species was recorded in paddlecraft fisher’s catches. The majority (91%) were comprised of game and baitfish species (from 28 species), with 18 (9%) bottomfish species making up the remainder of the catch. The most commonly caught species by number included king mackerel (34%), chub mackerel (20%) and shad (9%).

· The total annual catch of the KZN paddlecraft fishery was estimated to be approximately 15708 fish.

· Total current investment in the paddlecraft fishery was estimated at R5.5 million, with a total annual operating expenditure of at least R2.9 million.

· Although regarded as an affordable, productive and easy-to-operate form of marine boat-based fishing in South Africa, fitness was the singular most important motivation for entry into the fishery (26% of respondents).

· New participants to the KZN paddlecraft fishery originate primarily from the other marine linefishing sectors (96% of respondents); often at the expense of participation in the former sector.

CONCLUSIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS & FUTURE ACTIVITIES

· Given the high rate of previous participation in the other linefishing sectors by respondents to this study, as well as the respondents’ subsequent reduced participation in these sectors, the paddlecraft fishery cannot be regarded as having increased overall linefishing effort in KZN.

· It was apparent from the results that the KZN paddlecraft fishery has a substantially smaller ecological footprint (in terms of harvest size and composition of harvest) compared to other KZN linefishing sectors.

· Unrestricted launching and beaching of paddlecraft along the KZN coast is a primary motivator for participation in the fishery. The launching of paddlecraft should therefore not be restricted to licensed boat launch sites for resource management purposes without scientifically-sound motivation.

· The KZN paddlecraft fishery is in need of formal representation to ensure its interests are presented at the various management-planning fora.

This study has successfully provided a pioneering baseline assessment of the KZN paddlecraft fishery, and in doing so achieved its primary objective. The results of the study will be submitted for publication in a suitable scientific journal.

Prepared by: Bruce Mann, August 2008

Important Saftey Information from the NSRI

Earlier this year, Rob Mousley organised a surfski exercise day with station 10 (Simon's Town) crew.

Both rescuers and surfskiers gained much valuable insight. Rob tells us more.

As anyone who reads Surfski.info knows, there have been several incidents in recent years where the NSRI has been called out to rescue surfskiers in trouble. The purpose of our exercise was for the NSRI to gain some familiarity with surfskis under controlled conditions, and for the paddlers to understand the challenges facing the NSRI. We also wanted to try out various types of safety gear, and to learn more about the drift rates of disabled skis.

Read more, this might save your life and it is as easy to implement this as wearing your seatbelt in your car.

Sea Rescue made available the Vodacom Netcare911 Surf Rescue helicopter, as well as the Station 10 (Simon’s Town) rescue vessels.

We were fortunate with the weather, which saw us paddling in classic downwind conditions: the 25-30 knot winds and 1-2m breaking waves provided realistic conditions. We decided to do two runs, one with the helicopter and one with the sea craft.

We had three skis at our disposal – two were plain white, and one red. I was wearing an orange longsleeved shirt and a red personal flotation device (PFD); Wayne Borchardt wore a blue shirt with a bright orange PFD; and Gordon Brown wore a black sleeveless wetsuit with a black PFD.

Air searches and visibility

The first item on the agenda was for the helicopter to search for us and, having found us, to execute runs at various altitudes to work out the best height at which to search.

In the debrief after the exercise, the helicopter crew emphasised just how difficult it was to see the skis on the water, especially the allwhite skis, which blend in with the breaking waves. We could see the helicopter long before the crew onboard spotted us.

Here are some of their other findings:

The red ski was always spotted first and could be seen from about 600m.

The white skis became visible at a range of about 300m.

Clothing made little difference to the paddlers’ visibility.

The best search altitude was 700-900 feet.

Search aids included a space blanket and pencil flares. Gordon had a space blanket with him. It’s a thin sheet of silver foil often used by rescue crew to wrap around victims of hypothermia. He unfolded it and held it by the edge so that it fluttered in the wind. The helicopter crew reported that it was highly effective as a reflective device. The folded-up blanket weighs a few grams and can be stored in the pocket of your PFD.

We obtained permission to shoot a couple of red pencil flares. The chopper crew reported that the flares were easy to see, even in daylight. Although the flare itself lasted only a few seconds, the smoke trail remained intact moving downwind with the mass of moving air acting as a pointer for the chopper crew. The NSRI emphasises that you should always keep one or two flares for when the rescue craft is close to your position.

Sea searches We all headed back to the NSRI base for lunch. Gordon, Wayne and Elsa were replaced by Dawid and Nikki Mocke and Dale Lippstreu who had agreed to be the test subjects for the second part of the exercise.

We sent them off to Millers Point to start a second run. Alain Jaques and I joined the crew of Spirit of Safmarine III to search for the errant skis. In contrast to the airborne crew’s findings, we discovered that, from sea level, the colour of the skis made less difference, while the brightness of the paddlers’ clothing was important. It did strike me, however, just how little visibility there is from a surface craft going upwind into a 25-30 knot breeze! Sheets of water swept over the bow of the craft and we could see virtually nothing. Once again the paddlers spotted the rescue craft long before they became visible to the rescuers

Dawid called us using his mobile phone. We could hear him clearly, and he was able to guide us to his location by telling us to steer left or right until we finally saw him and the other two paddlers.

He also tested the VHF (a waterproof handheld Icom M71 Marine VHF radio) and again we were able to hear each other clearly.

The VHF is much easier to use than a mobile phone simply because you only have to squeeze the talk button. Some cellphone screens are difficult to read in sunlight, and it’s often quite tricky to dial a number through the thick plastic of a waterproof pouch. It’s much easier to answer a call than to make one, so it’s helpful if rescuers have the number of the casualty. Dawid tied a small neon-orange flag to his paddle, which was also quite effective.

Measuring drift rates

We persuaded Dawid to volunteer by getting into the cold water and hold on to his ski, while Nikki and Dale simulated rudder and paddle failure and rafted together. We allowed them to drift for 15 minutes.

Dawid allowed his ski to drift downwind parallel to the wind and waves while he tried to keep as much of his upper body out of the water as possible. He drifted about 800m at a speed of approximately 3km/h. Nikki and Dale drifted at a higher speed, and then discovered that by using their rudders, they could make their skis point directly downwind. In short order, without paddling, they found that they were now moving at nearly 6km/h. (It’s worth noting, if you raft with someone, you can proceed downwind with a fair amount of directional control. On a Millers run, for example, you’d eventually get to Fish Hoek. You’d take a bit longer than normal, granted, but you’d get there in the end.)

Then it was Nikki’s turn to get wet. She let go of her ski and, in no time, it was rolling downwind, much faster than she could swim. Dawid paddled alongside her and she climbed onto the rear deck of his ski, lying face downwards behind him. She placed her paddle underneath her and was able to ‘swim’, assisting Dawid who paddled to where her ski was still rolling its way downwind. They were able to recapture the ski and she remounted, only to be told to do it again, this time tethering her paddle to the ski. When she let the ski go, it still rolled downwind. However, the paddle did slow it down, and she was able to swim after it to retrieve it.

Remember:

Skis are incredibly difficult to spot, from the air or from the sea. Choose a brightly coloured ski and wear bright clothing!

You will see your rescuers long before they see you, so you must have communications equipment to attract their attention, and ideally to enable you to ‘talk them in’.

There is no single measure that you can take that will keep you safe 100% of the time – but every precaution you take and each piece of safety equipment you carry will work in your favour.

KAYAK FISHING SOUTH AFRICA UMKOMAAS ALIWAL SHOAL

To enquire about kayak fishing on the Durban South Coast

please email us KFSA Enquiry
Garmin GPS Co ordinates S30 12.698 E30 47.690

KFSA - Durban South Coast

How to book a kayak fishing tour or demo a kayak / fishing ski:

Option 1: Book via website Book now
Option 2: Telephone/Fax 0027(0)39 973 1572
Option 3: Mobile 0027 (0)72 938 1769
Option 4: email ugh@telkomsa.net

Mick Clarke

Cell 0027 (0)72 938 1769
Tel / Fax 0027 (0)39 973 1572