October 2017 Monthly Report “Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” –Albert Einstein. A quieter month for the Conservancy, October provided us with an opportunity to reflect on our programmes and activities. Together with the day-to-day operations, data collected on fishing in the area was analysed and a management meeting was held. The overarching goal of the conservancy is to preserve the natural heritage of the area for present and future generations. Stepping back and assessing in what ways we are succeeding, and where we still need to improve, is vitally important. It is equally important to do this in one’s own life and ensure that what we are doing today is getting us closer to where we want to be tomorrow. We hope you enjoy the read! Vegkop greets us with a beautiful view of dune, vegetation and ocean. Compliance During October, a total of 48 recreational fishing, spearfishing and bait collecting permits were checked by Kei and Anton. Of the 48 permits checked, 11 people (23%) failed to produce a valid permit and were issued a verbal warning. As we mentioned last month, the season for Galjoen, Dichistius capensis, has closed on the 15th of October and will reopen on the 1st of March 2018. 2 October 2017 The season for Shad (Elf), Pomatomus saltatrix, also closed on the 1st of October and will reopen on 1st December. Let us all leave these fish so that they can breed in peace. Roving Creel Survey Results Roving Creel is a research survey currently in its 8th year at the Conservancy. It is one of numerous studies implemented by Professor Colin Attwood across the South African coastline. This study was originally initiated in the area by Wayne Meyer, a former senior Ranger, in 2009. It primarily determines the Catch per Unit Effort (CPUE) of each recreationally targeted fish species. In simple terms, this means the amount of effort it takes to catch a fish. If many fish of a species are readily caught, it is thought that the population is healthy in that area, versus a species where one undersized fish is caught in a year. This information can be used to assess fish stock and whether fishing regulations in place for each species are effective, as well as judging the need for Marine Protected Areas. Each year, one of the students tackles (excuse the pun) the task of conducting these surveys. This entails walking along the coast at randomised times and conducting interviews with fishermen encountered. This year, Nicole has been doing the surveys and has built up a substantial information base. The results were analysed and provided some interesting outcomes which will be summarised here. From January to October, 80 surveys were done which yielded 388 interviews. Many of these interviews were with small groups of fishermen, meaning a total of 818 anglers were interviewed. Of these, 619 were locals and the rest are visitors. Three surveys recorded no fishermen. These interviews are not for the purposes of compliance, as it is thought that more accurate interviews will be achieved. Anton and Kei conducted the compliance patrols and these results will be compiled at the end of the year. As such, Roving Creel is very non-confrontational and no survey has been refused yet. 734 Anglers fished on weekends and public holidays while only 86 fished in the weekdays. Popular fishing seasons included autumn and spring, of which the months of April and September had the most anglers. This is likely due to the school holidays and numerous public holidays during these times. Occurance of fishermen over weekends and weekdays in 140 2017 120 Weekend 100 80 Weekday 60 40 Linear (Weekend) Fishermen Fishermen (number) 20 0 17 11 0 12 6 3 12 6 7 12 January February March April May June July AugustSeptemberOctober Month of Year 3 October 2017 93 Fish were caught, consisting of 19 different species. 24% of the fish caught were released again, which was largely due to the catch-and-release fishing competitions held in the area. Some non- competitive fishermen also believe in releasing their catch on a regular basis. The largest fish caught were non-edibles (sharks and rays usually targeted by game fisherman) while the smallest fish included edibles (fish you would usually eat), which could suggest that the edibles are targeted more and are thus under more pressure in this area. We thought it would be interesting to compare the 2017 data to the 2009 data, from when the surveys first began. In 2009 only 283 anglers were interviewed (compared to 818 in 2017). The same number of surveys were conducted, thus this increase in interviews shows the massive increase in coastal users and pressure put on coastal systems. In 2009, 68 fish were caught, representing 12 different species. Thus, the ratio of fish to anglers was much larger then. In 2017, it was roughly 1 fish per 8 anglers, whereas in 2009 it was roughly 1 fish per 4 anglers. Another disparity is that only 3% of catches were released in 2009, so either fewer catch-and-release competitions were held then, or competitions also kept their catches and fewer fishermen had the mentality to release their fish. More fishermen fished during winter in the 2009 survey, but the weekend to weekday fishing ratio is much the same as in 2017. Looking at these data, it is clear that the CPUE of fish species has definitely decreased from 2009 to 2017. In other words, it takes more effort to catch a fish now than it did in 2009. Thus, despite regulations and marine protected areas in place, we still have a long road ahead to ensure the security of South Africa’s fish resources. The Roving Creel data will be more accurately analysed after another two years of conducting the surveys (i.e. to total ten years of data). This is just a start to the more in-depth analysis that will take place then, and this article does not negate all possible bias and confounding factors. Fransmanshoek en Omgewing Book Alletta Hanekom wrote the Fransmanshoek en Omgewing book to commemorate the area, its timeless beauty and its classic people. Fransmanshoek is a place with a rich history and this book delves into topics that have intrigued many, with chapters like “Vanwaar die naam, Hengelsplesier, Omgewingstuin, Fransmanshoek Bewarea” and many more. The newest edition of this book as now been published, with updated stories and never-before published chapters. It will also be available in English in the near future. The book is for sale for R150 and can be purchased from the Fransmanshoek Conservancy offices or the Vleesbaai Shop. Funding obtained will be put back into the running costs of the Conservancy. Beach Clean Ups During the month of October, during the Durban storms, a massive wind hit the Conservancy. This caused havoc, with hundreds of objects washing ashore. The beaches were littered with items ranging from unused Nike shoes, homemade brooms, “Teachers whiskey” and old rusted barrels. The Rangers made quick work of this phenomenon and collected more than five bags of trash during their patrols. The barrels remain, but these will be removed as soon as possible. 4 October 2017 One of the many glass bottles washed ashore. Nurdles, which are small plastic balls used to make plastic products, have polluted our oceans recently. Marine animals mistake these balls for food and ingest them. The animals struggle to digest them and they can cause blockages in the intestines. They are also believed to release toxins into the animal’s body and cause death if in high enough concentrations. The nurdles are small, making removing them a mammoth task. Look out for the November report for an update on this! Reptile Encounters ~Snake Sightings The days are growing warmer and snake activity is consequently increasing. The Rangers were blessed to witness four distinct species this month in their natural habitats. At the Fransmanshoek Peninsula they saw a puffadder, Bitis arietans and spotted skaapsteker, Psammophylax rhombeatus. A boomslang, Dispholidus typus, was found in a bird’s nest. Lastly, a dead spotted harlequin snake, Homoroselaps lacteus, was seen at Kanon. The spoor in the photo below is indicative of a thick puffadder that crossed the road. Puffadder marks are easy to identify because they usually travel in a straight line, except when disturbed. A cobra’s spoor is more like the typical snake spoor imagined where it goes from side to side in a curved manner. It should be noted that three of these snakes were found in roads. Please be careful when driving around when it’s hot outside and keep a lookout for any tortoises or snakes crossing the road. 5 October 2017 From top left, clockwise: Spotted Harlequin snake; Puffadder; Spotted Skaapsteker and the spoor of a Puffadder. ~Snake Capture and Release On the 31st, the Conservancy received a callout to remove a snake from a Boggomsbaai resident’s garage. The Boomslang was identified and appeared to be after a sparrow’s nest. Anton rushed to the scene and with the help of Boggomsbaai’s own snake handler, Patrys Spykerman, the two worked together to remove the snake and put it in the snake box. The snake was then relocated to the veld far away from humans. The tree-climbing Boomslang, sailing elegantly on the grass. 6 October 2017 Management Meeting The fourth management meeting of the year was held on the 27th of October. Matters discussed included the seasonal activities which would include guided walks by appointment through Snuifklip and the Geoff Cowley path, the annual environmental education “Intertidal Day” aimed at children in the area, another movie in the dunes evening, a flora and fauna walk for Springerbaai residents in their own backyard and several beach clean ups by the visitors, for the visitors.