The social profile and impact of illegal fishing in the Tsitsikamma Marine protected area

Abstract

Catching fish species with collapsed population status, some with critically endangered and vulnerable status, by illegal fishers within Marine Protected Areas (MPA’s) undermines both the effectiveness of the MPA and also fisheries management. Reduced spill over into adjacent areas may negatively affect communities living in these areas. The aim of this study was to determine the social profile of illegal fishers and the impact illegal fishing has on the Tsitsikamma Marine Protected Area. Spatial and temporal patterns of illegal fishing were obtained for the period from April 2004 to August 2015 and correlations between fishing practises and environmental conditions alongside social characteristics of illegal fishers were evaluated. Detailed data including fish and bait species caught as well as equipment used, environmental conditions under which illegal fishing takes place and the social profile of illegal fishers from a 12 month intensive study was used to answer questions not included in the previous 10 years data. Data comprised SANParks records for the 10 year period and during the 12 month intensive study data were obtained directly from illegal fishers in the field immediately after apprehension. Research findings show that illegal fishers in the Tsitsikamma MPA are aware that they are breaking the law but that most are ignorant of the MLRA fishery regulations. This is reflected in the wide range of fishery transgressions. This study showed that Illegal fishers are mostly employed people and their main purpose for fishing illegally is for recreation. There is a severe lack of awareness regarding conservation and the importance and benefits of the MPA amongst illegal fishers which shows itself in their ignorance of fishery regulations and poor understanding of the purpose of MPA’s. It has also become apparent by using environmental data at the time of arrest of illegal fishermen and looking at the questionnaire answered by illegal fishermen that illegal fishing can be predicted to take place at particular times and under certain environmental conditions. It took a high amount of Ranger person-hours to arrest one illegal fisher however this was significantly reduced when acting on information from informants. In the 12 month intensive study period 74% of illegal fishers apprehended were found guilty in Court. Education of communities and illegal fishers in terms of the importance of the Tsitsikamma MPA is needed and alternative ways found to satisfy the recreational fishing needs of the illegal fishers.