Quantification of illicit fish harvesting in the Lake St Lucia Game Reserve, South Africa

Abstract

Illegal gill and seine netting has taken place in the northern parts of the Lake St Lucia Game Reserve, South Africa since the late 1960s. Although active law enforcement by the Natal Parks Board was able to prevent the large-scale commercialization of this activity, illegal netting has continued to take place. The present policy to prohibit netting in the lake has resulted in conflict between the rural communities and the conservation authorities. An attempt was made to quantify the catch taken by illegal netting by analysing data collected during anti-netting patrols and by negotiating with rural communities living in areas adjacent to the lake. Results showed that approximately 72 people were actively fishing with nets in Lake St Lucia during 1992, and their annual catch was estimated at between 91 and 135 tonnes. Competition with the recreational line fishery was limited as mugilids and other detritivorous fish species made up 47% by mass of the total catch taken by netting. Legalisation of a controlled net fishery in St Lucia is discussed as a management option to integrate rural development with conservation of the lake's fish resources.