There were a few crates of sardines netted at Mbango yesterday.
The wild ocean this past week, the cold, and the weather have all played along, and so – it is realistic to expect some sardine action further north up the KZN Natal coastline, this week.
The crew from Offshore Africa in Port St. Johns had their biggest day out yesterday. The baitballs they have been encountering are becoming shoals, as more and more sardines make their way up the coast.
Check out one of the latest video posts from Offshore Africa…
So it’s definitely not the time to be losing hope. The fish in this video are headed our way. And it seems that the ocean patrol dudes have got their game on, as no more trawler reports have been coming in.
Now the sards just need to get by all those angry looking gannets!
The Sardine Report 2017 was sponsored by…
Sardine and Shad Report 2017 sponsored by Pelagic available at fishingsfinest.co.zambango
We are now in touch with the right people – Senior Marine Conservation Inspectors with DAFF, to whom any sightings of suspected trawlers, can be reported.
But there is some procedure to follow, that filters out any legitimate vessels.
SO, when you see a suspected trawler…
Log onto http://marinetraffic.com on the internet, or onto your AIS cellphone App. Click here to choose one if you need one still.
Locate the area where your suspect ship is, and see if there a corresponding ship icon, for your suspect
If there is no AIS icon visible, please report to…
 The DAFF vessel operating in that area – The Ruth First, is in the area off the Transkei, where most of the suspect activity has been noted lately. Their number is 079 773 6514 and Inspector Teyise is on board right now.
Our contacts, Senior Marine Conservation Inspector Mr. Bongani Pitoyi is on 071 765 2533, and is extremely helpful.
Another number you can call is deputy director Mr Moshani on 076 780 5049.
SO, please keep your eyes on your horizon, and help us iron out what is actually going on out there.
On Trawler Watch 2017!
EXTRA: Check the following video documentary, to see how much mechanisation is used by commercial fishing trawlers…slow and shaky, but you get the picture fair enough. And it is in Iceland. But the same technology can be deployed against fish anywhere in the world. Including our waters. And why we need to be on the lookout. Next thing we buying our own mackerel and sardines in tins marked Made in China!
Our deep undercover sardine spy Robbie van Wijk reports of an alleged trawler spotted trawling at Mdumbi just yesterday! Could this be one of the three “legal” ships (Japanese with permits from the totally ineffectual DAFF), that have been spotted up and down all over? Robbie just has this photo for proof.
Fishing Trawler spotted trawling at Mdumbi!
The trawler had nets out and was heading NE, at trawling speed!
Targeting sardines no doubt! But imagine the destruction they are causing to the reefs and eco-system! Trawls carry the most destructive fishing equipment known to man. And are illegal in most places. They are most likely purse seine fishing, but still – WHOSE FISH ARE THEY?! The Japanese’? And who is policing their methods?
And there is more, when I contact DAFF (Department of Forestry and Fisheries or whatever), they could NOT TELL ME WHERE TO REPORT this type of suspicious activity!
We checked the AIS system (a global map of every legitimate ship on the planet – please check it out at http://marinetraffic.com – such important information to cross reference with), only to find that the “legal” Japanese KOEI MARU No. 1 was in fact off Durban. And the only other boats in the area where Robbie spotted the trawler, are a patrol boat (weirdly enough – full of gunmen as reported by AIS – could be the Sarah Baardman – hopefully), and another unpurposed one, as far as AIS is fed this information. The MSC Rania (not guilty of anything I assure), was the only other vessel reporting itself, for hundreds of miles up and down.
So, a ship without it’s AIS system on. That surely is a guilty ship.
It was a very ironic post that Robbie made from Mdumbi last year this time. It says it all in one photograph. How far did these “South African” sardines travel, before going on sale, back where they came from? I know Lucky Star is a local brand, but are they catching these fish? Is this their boat? Then why the Japanese and Chinese boats? With permits? From our very own DAFF?! (DOFF).
Lucky Star South African Sardines spotted off Umdumbi
I have been receiving offers for fresh frozen sardines in my inbox (someone spammed me with a subscription to this seafood industry bunch, so I play along, to keep getting the info), way before the sardine season even though of starting. In fact back in January and February were my first emails received – selling by the tonne!
Enjoy the read…
Dear Sir,
Good morning.
We now have several containers’ products coming soon, please kindly advise, thanks.
Product Name: Frozen W/R Sardine for Market / Bait purpose
Specification: 6-10 pcs/kg, BQF, Light Purse Seine, Land Frozen
#2 Sardine 6-10 pcs/kg Canning
Product Name: Frozen W/R Sardine for Canning purpose
Specification: 6-10 pcs/kg, BQF, Trawl, Land Frozen
#3 Scad (Horse Mackerel) 8-10 pcs/kg Market
Product Name: Frozen W/R Scad (Horse Mackerel) for Market purpose
Specification: 8-10 pcs/kg, BQF, Light Purse Seine, Land Frozen
Kindly let us know the name of your destination port. More products information including pictures and price will be sent according to your respond.
Thanks and warmly regards.
I accept that most of this seafood is likely not from our waters. But who is to tell?
And a few more pics of Mdumbi, by Robbie van Wijk, showing the beauty of the place’s waters that we need to protect from exploitation by few, against the will of the public whole. One shot featuring the Sarah Baardman on patrol, about a month back. That is one mean boat and they would know about every ship for a thousand miles around, just with their own equipment, let alone AIS. So hopefully they have their orders to chase and apprehend, as they did last year, with three captures out of nine reported incursions, by foreign vessels. Or are they just on parade?
Ok, but there is something we can do. Since we are the culprits in the first place.
Yes, it’s us.
The buyers of canned fish. We pay for those ships. We pay those politicians their bribes. We pay for the destruction. We even pay for the Sarah Baardman, through taxes! We are paying for both sides?!
And only we can stop the mayhem. By not buying tinned fish. Ever again. No sardines. No tuna. No mackerel. No Anchovies. Etc…
Take the power back!
You would be doing so much good, on so many levels.
Yes, it’s official, with featured photos by Jay Steenkamp, of the Natal Sharks Board.
The sards were caught this very morning – and although not massive amounts, is a great sign of things hopefully coming our way!
Sardines at Scottburgh
Thanks to Jay Steenkamp who keeps us right in the loop each and every year. Our other sardine spies are also reporting action, but these are the first solid photographs.
Jay Steenkamp in his office keeping a sharp lookout for sardines for us
The sardine report 2017 is sponsored by…
PelagicSpecial offer from Pelagic and Fishing’s Finest…click the image to go visit the online store and get your discount!
