FISHING

KwaZulu-Natal's marine life is very rich and diverse making sea-fishing an enormously popular activity along the entire KwaZulu-Natal coastline. Popular destinations include Cape Vidal, Kosi Bay, Maphelana , St Lucia Estuary and Sodwana Bay. This warm water coastline offers launch sites for ski-boats at most beaches and shore anglers have the opportunity to catch a number of different game fish in waters that teem with the marine equivalent of the big five, including massive marlin and other game fish. The fish size and bag limits that have been introduced still allow an angler to catch a diversity of fish whilst allowing the fish at least one season to breed (-> increase population) and minimising exploitation of any species. Sanctuary areas have been set aside inside marine reserves to act as a 'nursery' from which marine life can disperse and stock up other areas.

Seventy per cent of all fish caught by shore anglers in KwaZulu-Natal are shad (a popular eating fish).
Shad can grow to be 120 cm long and a weight of 14 kg (10-15years old).

Slinger, an endemic to KZN and Mozambique, make up 30% of total commercial line fish catch by weight in KZN. This deep bodied pink fish with a steep forehead, a distinct blue bar under the eye and an orange tinge to their tail, is found in offshore reefs from 20m - 100m depth. Slinger reach a maximum length of about 600 mm.

Snapper kob are frequently caught by anglers, especially paddle-ski and light tackle enthusiasts. They have a distinctive elongated body are bronze red above and silvery to white below. They seldom reach more then 600mm or 1,6 kg.

Squaretail kob reach a maximum size of 1200 mm (13kg). Squaretail kob are found primarily from Salt Rock to Richards Bay (Tugela Banks).

The Dusky kob is the premier inshore angling species and is one of the largest members of the kob family. Dusky kob reach a maximum age of about 42 years and a maximum size of 75 kg.

The Geelbek is an important line fishing species.

Red Steenbrass are generally found in deeper water (> 50 m) often close to the continental shelf.

The Spotted grunter can attain a size of 80 cm and the SA record is 9,5 kg (greater than 15 years old). This is a fine table fish caught by surf fisherman and spear fishermen.

The King mackerel is one of the most important recreational game fish targeted by skiboat, spear and rock and surf anglers. It is a large fish and occurs in slightly deeper water off the continental shelf. It is a very fast growing fish reaching 80 cm at six months and 100 cm at 18 months. Adults can attain 220 cm. A 48,6 kg specimen was caught in 1975.

Closed seasons:
Crayfish may not be caught from 1 November to the last day of February of the following year.
Shad may not be kept if caught from 1 October to 30 November each year.
Galjoen may not be kept if caught from 15 October to 22 November each year.
Sale of Fish:

No person may sell, or offer for sale, any fish without a permit issued by the Dept of Sea Fisheries.