Durban - While the Department of Environmental Affairs has rejected concerns about proposed regulations declaring trout an invasive species as “causing unnecessary alarm”, anglers and the tourism industry do not agree.
Department spokesman Zolile Nqayi said they were “puzzled” by the negative reaction and suspected it was caused by a misreading of the regulations.
However, Durban lawyer Ian Cox, who has been lobbying against the regulations, said there was a stark contrast between what regulation stipulated and what the department said it stipulated.
Cox said fish sanctuary areas declared by the department were demarcated for the eradication and prevention of invasive species. This means stocking of trout in these areas will be prohibited.
“It is very clear that what this means is that trout will be eradicated and one can’t restock. The law says invasive species must be eradicated, so if trout is declared invasive it will be eradicated.”
He believes the eradication of trout, which was introduced to SA more than 100 years ago, will put those involved in the trout industry out of business. These include trout farms, hatcheries, flyfishing establishments and associated tourism.
“The area demarcated for eradication covers most of KZN’s trout territory. this includes major hatcheries which will have to close down and farms will have to stop stocking,” he said.
The rivers include the Mooi, Little Mooi, Tugela, uMngeni and Polela. Establishments along these rivers are tourism meccas, thanks to trout fishing. The regulations will also affect Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape and Western Cape.
But Nqayi said the aim was not to eradicate the species, but rather aimed at dealing with trout where they had invaded rivers and killed off indigenous species.
Trout is one of the more than 500 species of animals and plants which were listed as invasive in the regulations promulgated in terms of the Natural Environment Management: Biodiversity Act in July.
Public comment was invited until earlier this month.
“Those objecting are causing unnecessary alarm. We are not planning to get rid of trout. If you are already farming trout, you will be allowed to restock and go about your business as normal,” said Nqayi.
Cox said: “The whole process smacks of environmental extremism. It is impossible to list species as alien if it is beneficial and does not harm human beings and their well-being.”
Supporting objections made by the Federation of Southern African Flyfishers and Trout SA, flyfishing fundi and author Dr Tom Sutcliffe said the invasive nature of trout was unfounded and unproven.
“Their (regulations) implementation will not be possible without provoking significant legal and political challenges with their attendant costs and consequences.”
He believes this will have significant legal and financial implications.
This could not be truer for Gary Maas, owner of Troutbagger, a flyfishing tourism business in Nottingham Road in the KZN Midlands.
“My livelihood depends on trout fishing, I may as well close down my farm,” he said.
This would mean a major financial loss should he have to sell his business – worth about R15 million – when it could no longer function as a flyfishing tourism business, he said.
The Troutbagger caters for local and international fishing enthusiasts who stay in the holiday accommodation at the farm and flyfish in the private dam.
Maas buys trout from a hatchery and releases them into his dam. Tourists can then catch and release the trout, and if it weighs more than 5kg they can then pay about R1 000 to take it away and have it mounted as a trophy fish.
Mass is especially concerned because this will not be the first time to start over.
He used to own a charter boat, taking it out to fish commercially in Durban.
“All of a sudden, my permit was not renewed and I was not given a reason.”
He said he was forced to sell his commercial fishing business and bought the trout fishing business 10 years ago. “It’s not fair, is this democracy we live in?”
The 66-year-old, recovering from major heart surgery, said his farm was what kept him strong.
Nqayi said the objections to the regulations were being compiled for consideration by the minister.
Daily News