ECOSYSTEM THREAT: Gill nets galore in Kosi lakes, despite illegal fishing clampdown
The recent arrest of a Chinese shopkeeper and local residents in northern KwaZulu-Natal has revived concerns about illegal gill-netting and the steady decimation of fish populations in the Kosi Bay section of the iSimangaliso World Heritage Site.
Illegal gill-netting continues to threaten the fish populations in Kosi Bay, a nature reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, despite recent efforts to curb the practice. The large nets, often stretching for over 23km, indiscriminately catch all species and sizes of fish, whereas traditional traps allow for juvenile fish to escape. Over the past year, anti-poaching officers have removed nearly 300 gill nets from the lakes, but the issue remains persistent.
A recent joint operation saw the arrest of a Chinese shopkeeper and local residents suspected of illegal fishing, as well as issuing fines and warnings to others involved in the contravention. However, anti-poaching units have not seen a significant decrease in the number of gill nets, as they have destroyed more than 20km in the past four years.
Conservationists argue that the issue is not being taken seriously enough due to a lack of funding and resources to effectively address the problem.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Maverick's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
