Let’s rethink our catch: Queen Mackerel deserve better protection in KZN waters.
Let’s rethink our catch: Queen Mackerel deserve better protection in KZN waters.
It’s time to shine a cheerful but urgent spotlight on one of KwaZulu-Natal’s most iconic gamefish — the Queen Mackerel (Scomberomorus plurilineatus), also known locally as the Natal snoek. While current regulations allow recreational anglers to catch up to ten queen mackerel per day with no minimum size limit, this open policy is increasingly out of step with global conservation realities and biological science.
A Regal Fish in Need of Respect
Queen mackerel are sleek, fast-swimming predators found along the east coast of Africa, from Kenya to South Africa, including the warm waters of KZN. They prefer nearshore zones just behind the backline, often congregating near river mouths, reefs, and rip currents SAAMBR. Their silvery bodies, broken lateral lines, and forked tails make them unmistakable — and irresistible to sport fishers.
But beneath their shimmering scales lies a fragile biology:
- Slow growth and late maturity: Queen mackerel take several years to reach sexual maturity, making them vulnerable to overfishing before they’ve had a chance to reproduce SAAMBR.
- Seasonal spawning migrations: They likely spawn in Mozambique waters, migrating seasonally along the coast. Disrupting these patterns with heavy catches can collapse local populations WWF South Africa.
- Schooling behavior: Their tendency to form dense schools makes them easy targets for mechanized fishing and spearfishing — a dangerous trait in today’s high-effort fisheries.
The Bigger Picture: 4% Left?
Globally, we’ve depleted 96% of fish biomass over the last millennium due to industrial fishing, habitat destruction, and poor regulation IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. That’s not just a statistic — it’s a warning bell. Mechanised fleets and unchecked recreational pressure have pushed many species to the brink. Queen mackerel may not be critically endangered yet, but the absence of size limits and generous bag allowances in South Africa is a red flag.
A Cheerful Call to Action
To our marine scientists, policymakers, and conservation champions: let’s take a fresh look at the queen mackerel. We propose:
- Introducing a minimum size limit to protect juveniles and ensure they reach breeding age.
- Reducing the daily bag limit from ten to a more sustainable number — perhaps five.
- Monitoring spawning migrations and establishing seasonal no-take zones.
- Educating anglers on catch-and-release ethics and the ecological role of queen mackerel.
These are not restrictions — they’re investments in the future of our oceans.
Why It Matters for KZN
Queen mackerel are more than just a thrilling catch. They’re part of a delicate food web, helping regulate baitfish populations and supporting larger predators. Their presence signals healthy reefs and estuarine systems — the very ecosystems that sustain our tourism, culture, and coastal livelihoods.
Let’s not wait until they’re gone to act. Let’s be proud stewards of our marine heritage, starting with smarter, science-backed protection for the queen mackerel.
Long live the queen — but only if we fish with care.
Sources: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species SAAMBR WWF South Africa
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