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SOUTH AFRICAN
ASSOCIATION FOR MARINE BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH
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.
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Read more, this
might save your life
and it is as easy to
implement this as
wearing your
seatbelt in your
car.
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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.
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