THE INTERACTION AND IMPACT OF NET AND LINE-FISHERIES IN FALSE BAY, SOUTH-AFRICA

Commercial beach-seine and line-fisheries in False Bay date back to the 17th century. Bottom trawling has been prohibited in the Bay since 1928, but scattered reefs and poor demersal fish resources always restricted trawling operations. Purse-seine fishing has occurred in False Bay since before 1960, effort in the area increasing after the collapse of the west coast pilchard (Sardinops sagax) and chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) stocks in the late 1960s. Purse-seining was prohibited in False Bay after 1982, largely as a result of misunderstanding of purse-seine fishing methods and composition of by-catches. Increased recreational angling in the 1980s led to conflict with beach-seine fishermen and competition for yellowtail (Seriola lalandi), white steenbras (Lithognathus lithognathus), elf (Pomatomus saltatrix) and kob (Argyrosomus hololepidotus). Beach-seine catches of these species are small compared to national line catches but form a significant part of the False Bay catch. Commercial line, beach-seine and recreational fishermen compete for the same species, in the same areas and during the same seasons. Trends in catches of line-fish in False Bay are also strongly influenced by the environment and fishing outside the Bay and management policies must take these influences into account.