From The FOSAF Chair by Ilan Lax 2019 is well and truly upon us. I have been so heartened by the vibrant discussions that take place on the various flyfishing groups on the dreaded Facebook. Trout Talk and Yellow Talk for example, provide safe platforms for a range of posts from flyfishers on almost every aspect of our craft, including some hardtopical debates. The only material not tolerated, are attempts to advertise commercial products or troll your fellow anglers. Apart from that, the discussions while sometimes heartfelt and heated are seldom judgemental or personal. Treat yourself to a sample of some of the variety of topics that are being posted. I’m pretty sure you’ll go back for more. I am pleasantly surprised at how much can and has been done by flyfishers who are giving back to our communities and the earth. Here I think about the places we generally visit to ply our craft. So many rural communities can benefit from a little involvement and help with organisation, planning and support. Good examples of this are the NFFC’s BRU and Bushman’s river projects and SAFFA KZN’s Tendele project. As far as our Court Application against the Minister of Environmental Affairs is concerned we received an opposing affidavit and are aiming to file a response by the end of February or early in March. The case will then be set down for hearing but exactly when this will happen, will depend on the availability of a court date. This is going to take some time, www.saflyfishingmag.co.za
but we remain confident of a positive outcome. DEA’s failure to properly comply with its own laws and to consult the public on this and many other matters is the main reason why we have a failed biodiversity management regime. FOSAF once again calls for the development and adoption of a much-needed White Paper to guide biodiversity protection, management and utilisation in South Africa. The on-going crisis of managing the health and safety of our rivers in the Vaal basin continues to be source of grave concern. That the SANDF had to be called in to provide support to try and fix the crisis speaks volumes about the management failure at every sphere of government. The SANDF deserves praise for the work it has done. This continues despite difficult working conditions and government’s reluctance to provide the money needed to do a proper clean up. There can be little doubt that this unacceptable problem was caused by a failure of government and service delivery. Sadly, it is the health and wellbeing of people and ecosystems that must pay the price for these failures. Our thanks go out to all the people and organisations monitoring this situation and working to find solutions. FOSAF is very much part of this effort. Please continue to help us help you in this regard. The experimental fishery project that is underway at Van der Kloof Dam continues to 97
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