Scary IF TRUE

[thrisss]

Now don’t go up in arms yet, I just need to have some more insight from more knowledgeable environmentalists! I have NO proof for the next statement since it is just a rumor from an unreliable source but non the less it got me thinking:

Heard that there is a possibility of companies getting the go ahead to fish the large dams with trawler boats (like the ocean kind) and gill nets for the "lesser wanted" species (according to SOME) like catfish, moggel, carp etc. on big scale (tons per month) for export. Now obviously if these tactics will be used – surely the other species like yellows will also be scooped up by mistake and even if they are released (yeh right) what will be the possibility of them surviving the torture be! Apparently there were people doing this at Bloemhof dam a couple of years ago. Don’t know Bloemhof dam and the impact it had if indeed true but worrying none the less. I also heard of people breeding catfish for export purposes in well maintained “farms” and this brings me to the statement – why should some spend thousands to breed the fish without touching their natural habitat and other are allowed to RAPE it with some government stamp of approval? Obviously if you compare the size of ocean and size of our large dams – how long should it take for even one trawler to completely clean up the dam from all fish species if you take into account the visible damage on fish species in our oceans at present? Then the last point made by some people stating that it might actually be a good idea to ensure the increase in population of our indigenous fish like yellows and kurper in these systems due to less competition for food. I know that makes sense on paper but how the hell is that physically possible?????:mad:

[peterV]

The 1st of april was 11 days ago

[LeRoy]

Howzit Guys!
That sounds like sacrilege to me, dude. There is a massive demand overseas for carp and catfish. South Africa's aquaculture industry is still small, but growing fast. There are catfish and carp farms who do exactly as you say, farming these fish in an environmentally friendly manner, and then export mostly to the East. Trawling for these fish will both negatively impact on the environment of a lot of indigenous species, and it will hurt the growth of the aquacultural industry. I also agree that Yellows and such caught in these nets are not likely to be released, and if they are, their chances of surviving the ordeal are slim, at best. I personally don't know if it could be true, but you never know til you have the facts (anybody..?). IF this is true, the people behind this are set to make some money, and in these cases the environment and conservation often play second fiddle, IMHO. Everyone who agrees that this is RAPE, say "I"..:mad: Hopefully your unreliable sources are hearing impaired, and got the rumor all wrong. Thanks for sharing, though..
Peace!

[gkieser]

Obviously if you compare the size of ocean and size of our large dams – how long should it take for even one trawler to completely clean up the dam from all fish species if you take into account the visible damage on fish species in our oceans at present?

This is exactly why this will never happen in dams - the populations would be wiped out before the companies harvesting the fish would have a chance to repay their debts from setting up their businesses.

Interesting though - they do harvest kapenta from kariba but those are really small fish and the nets don't seem like huge trawling dragnet thingys.

[LeRoy]

Good point, Grant. I don't know if it's possible to completely one hundred percent wipe out a fish population, but I can't imagine it taking them long to realise that their resource is not exactly sustainable. Sounds pretty damn silly actually, come to think of it.
cheers..

[thrisss]

Hopefully your unreliable sources are hearing impaired, and got the rumor all wrong

Hope so too – but if not, I will bring it up again in a more serious nature! Maybe we can try do something about it then....:eek:

[harry]

What they should do is to allow them to fish out that toxic waste dump called the Hartebeespoort Dam. I'm sure those fish glow in the dark. That will surely **** up this country's reputation as a source of fish and put an end to such a hair-brained scheme.

[LeRoy]

What they should do is to allow them to fish out that toxic waste dump called the Hartebeespoort Dam. I'm sure those fish glow in the dark. That will surely **** up this country's reputation as a source of fish and put an end to such a hair-brained scheme.

Yeah. I don't know Harties at all, but it's as you say. It's a freakin' hair-brained scheme. Won't work cos it can't work. Come to think of it, I'm pretty sure that the "unreliable sources" must have their best underpants in a twist. It just doesn't make sense, IMHO.

Cheers!

[BuzzLiteBeer]

Coming soon to a pond near you.

[Gael]

Yeah. I don't know Harties at all, but it's as you say. It's a freakin' hair-brained scheme. Won't work cos it can't work. Come to think of it, I'm pretty sure that the "unreliable sources" must have their best underpants in a twist. It just doesn't make sense, IMHO.

Cheers!

You guys think that is so far fetched, well I'll tell you what, I have seen a preliminary impact study of turning Harties into a commercial fishery. The document has been removed off the web (PM me if you want me to email you a copy) but the company that did the study still has it listed on their websites as a project http://www.dhec.co.za/projects

[harry]

In my opinion Harties is a lost case. The rivers in its catchment area are polluted beyond belief and there is no end in sight as long as the informal settlements continue to exist. Harties can be cleaned up in only one way. You have to drain it and incinerate the bottom sediment to try and remove the stored nutrients. That will require a s**tload of money. Replacing the water won't help. The dam will again be supplied with nutrient-rich waters from its catchment area. I,to be quite frank, do not believe for one minute that the environmental consultants will achieve any positive results and the comments on their website is a load of nonsense. Harties is a prime example of the mismanagement of the catchment of an important dam and the ruination of an important recreational asset. Hey, don't pull the leash so tight...

[Scythe]

Uhm, how about the fact that raw sewage was (and still is AFAIK) being pumped directly into the dam, forget the townships along the way, it's the rich Harties snobs club poop that is making the water glow green.

From naturalist/conservationist friends of mine I have learnt that by design the whole crocodile river system was intended for use as a sewage disposal tool.

[TJB]

Well as far a trawling our dams, this was attempted in a very fertile dam called Koppies many years ago and the result of that was that after a short period of time the dam had to be restocked and the large largemouth yellows have disappeared. It is not sustainable.

As far as nets go, there are existing permits available for commercial netting and it has been taking place in Harties, Vaal dam and Bloemhof dam. I sincerely believe that this is unfair that some people have to farm with these fish while others get opportunity to pillage natural recourse (if you presume carp are natural). that be what it may. does this not now leave opportunity for the disadvantaged to be allowed to farm subsistent? Think about what damage their nets would to do the highly populated (humans) Vaal river system. Good-bye yellows. Why would government allow that? Votes and food on the table, in comparison to the less than 150 registered fly fish men’s contributions to the GDP of this country. Yep there are only a few fly fishermen in this country as far as the government is concerned. We don’t stand up for any thing. Oh there are about 3000 bait anglers registered in this country. So what does that make us? A divided minuscule group of elitists. What is the future of angling in this country?
Proposed bills have been made for catch and kill of exotics and subsistence farming for the rest. What did we do to prevent this? Think about it. Not to long or it will all be gone.

[Gael]

Well-stated Terry

The study on Harties I referred to earlier is not for trawler type fishing but rather making the existing netting scheme large scale, so it’s not far fetched

Basically they are considering farming with blue kurper, which feed on algae (perfect with this dam) and removing fish species like carp, barbel and bass (by netting) that prey on the kurper fry.

Yes, none of us would even dream of eating the glow in the dark, three eyed fish that would come out of Harties, but tell you what, the poorer communities that struggle to put food on the table would in a heart beat.