Longline fishermen have been allowed to catch sharks in False Bay - contrary to policy - for the past two years after a bungle in their permit conditions, reports the Cape Argus.

The Marine and Coastal Management branch of the Environmental Affairs and Tourism Department has now changed the conditions to reflect the ban on this type of fishing in the bay after the mistake was pointed out to them by shark conservationist Meaghen McCord. There is serious concern in some conservation quarters about the number of sharks being caught, both in the bay and elsewhere, by this demersal (bottom-living) shark longline fishery. But McCord is not too worried about it, although she says an increasing number of handline fishermen now also catching sharks could be a problem.
Full Cape Argus report (subscription needed)


The whole of False Bay should be declared a marine reserve to conserve its unique environmental qualities and promote its exceptional recreational and tourism opportunities, says South Peninsula councillor Nicki Holderness. The Cape Argus says that hers is one of a growing number of voices calling for the bay to become a formal Marine Protected Area (MPA) in terms of national legislation. MPAs can include zones where various forms of fishing are permitted, and there have not been any suggestions that Kalk Bay's hand-line fishermen should be prevented from continuing to work in the bay. As one of the first steps towards this goal, the City of Cape Town is considering asking the Marine & Coastal Management branch of the Department of Environmental Affairs to hand over the management of the small MPA off the Helderberg-Macassar coastline that is currently effectively unmanaged.
Full Cape Argus report (subscription needed)