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 m aterial 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, 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

attract criticism from some flyfishers. FOSAF’s position as an organisation is clear. South Africa’s fresh water resource belongs to all South Africans. We also recognise the legacy of inequality that has restricted access to this resource and that this needs to change.

However, such change must be implemented responsibly so as to ensure that the use of this resource, by recreational, commercial or artisanal anglers takes place on a sustainable basis. A responsible approach to redressing the past requires research to provide evidence driven measures and solutions for sustainability. This means that the ecological and socioeconomic risks and benefits of alternative methods of harvesting the resource must be researched so that informed decisions can be made. FOSAF understands that this is an experimental scientific project aimed at testing the feasibility of a community-based fishery. It is thus intended to provide the necessary evidence and data that will assist in this decision-making process on how such fishery resources are utilised in the future.

While we share most anglers concerns about the controversial use of gill nets, we do not agree that this alone is sufficient reason to shut the project down. As far as FOSAF is aware the project has received the required approvals and permitting. Whilst the issue of gillnetting is controversial, this formed part of the permitting/approval but subject to compliance with the project management plan. The role of FOSAF and other NGOs must be to ensure that the project complies with the management plan and then to scrutinise the results and outcomes to provide an independent oversight/watchdog function. We thus need to give the project a chance to run its course in a reasonable and compliant manner. If issues and problems in relation to proper compliance emerge all parties are free to report these and take action.

Proper information must inform our actions. It is vital that flyfishers explore a range of options to support and include previously excluded communities in the sustainable use of our fishery resources. High handed and draconian measures in the name of biodiversity conservation will not build the trust and cooperation necessary to foster these precious fishery resources. Experience has shown that working with communities to develop an appreciation of the value of such resources is a far better and more effective approach to ensuring their sustainability.

FOSAF has noted the untoward nature of some comments about this situation. FOSAF will not engage in personalising the situation by playing the man rather than the ball. This is offsides and unnecessary and does not add to the validity of our arguments.

The use of freshwater systems as fisheries is the subject of new and emerging policy formulation process. FOSAF will, as it has always done, engage with this policy process, in the best interests of flyfishers and in line with our policies and values.

FOSAF Member’s Draw #171.

The winner is Dr Mike Birkett Membership no EP0010 of Howick whose prize is a two night midweek self catering stay at Lake Naverone in the Southern Drakensberg.