Coast KZN

State of the Coast: KZN
State of the Coast: KZN

State of the Coast: KwaZulu-Natal Chapter 1: Introduction & Background Chapter 2: Overarching Drivers Chapter 3: Climate Variability
Chapter 4: Coastal Environment Chapter 5: Estuarine Environment Chapter 6: Marine Environment Chapter 7: Human Environment Chapter 8: Economic Environment
Chapter 9: Governance Environment Chapter 10: Conclusions
The Profile of the KZN Coast
The Profile of the KZN Coast

Ugu Lwethu- Our Coast Defining the Coastal Zone The Physical and Coastal Environment Coastal and Marine Ecosystems
Coastal and Marine Species Migrations The Human Dimension Socio-Economic Uses of the Coast Commercial Resource Uses
Pressures and Threats Management of the Coastal and Marine Environments Understanding our Coast
Coastal access
Coastal access

Access RoutesBoat Launch SitesThe Human DimensionCoastal Access: Stats & Facts
Estuaries
Estuaries

What is an Estuary? Know your Estuaries Estuary Health and Conservation KZN Estuary Observer Programme
Historical Time Series Estuary Mouth Status Sand Mining
Recreation
Recreation

Fish TaggingAccess RoutesBlue Flag Beaches
Coastal risk and vulnerability
Coastal risk and vulnerability

Coastal Risk LinesExtreme EventsCoastal ErosionKZN Coastal Vulnerability IndexPollution
Coastal issues
Coastal issues

PollutionSand MiningCoastal ErosionNurdlesUPL Chemical Spill
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19 Feb 2018

Lifelong Amanzimtoti angler in awe of his rare catch

Earl Baillache (South Coast Sun) Picture: An Amanzimtoti fisherman is elated to have caught only the third known bowmouth guitarfish on the KZN coast.

“I had no idea what I had hooked, so it was complete surprise when I pulled it out.“

Sam David was fishing on Ushaka Beach with a shad bait when he snagged the rare catch on Friday night, 16 February. “Although we are Toti boys, we often fish there,” he said.

The bowmouth guitarfish, also called the shark ray or mud skate, is a species of ray which can be found in tropical coastal waters. They can reach a length of 2.7 metres and weigh up to 135kg. Often found near the sea floor, it prefers sandy or muddy areas near underwater structures.

“I had no idea what I had hooked, so it was complete surprise when I pulled it out.”

Sam and his fishing mates snapped off a few quick photos of the rare fish, which he estimated to be about 25kg, before safely relelasing it back into the water unharmed. He has forwarded the photos to fishing expert Basil Manning and a fishing magazine.

Sam has been living in Toti for about 10 years and does not belong to a fishing club. “I believe only two have ever been caught on the KZN coast. I have been fishing all my life, so it’s awesome to have caught the third one.”

 

Online Article