Evaluation of Bait Usage in the KwaZulu-Natal Linefishery, South Africa
Abstract
Abstract—Bait usage in the KwaZulu-Natal recreational and commercial linefishery was assessed using historic fisher-derived data and current sales records of bait providers. Total bait usage in two of the three linefishery components in KZN was estimated to range from 928 - 3,400 tonnes per year. A total of 39 different bait types were identified to have been used in the KZN linefishery, and sardines (Sardinops sagax) sourced from the South African purse-seine fleet, were the most important (used in >79% of fisher outings, >86% of bait sold by wholesalers). Conservation implications of bait usage in KZN are discussed, and recommendations for improved management are presented.
Keywords: Bait, linefishery, recreational fishing, commercial fishing, KwaZulu-Natal, species composition, resource management
Copyright is owned by the journal. The articles are open access articles distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) licence.
