June 8 marks World Oceans Day – a time to celebrate the ocean’s beauty and commit to protecting its future. The 2025 theme, “Sustainable Fishing Means More,” reminds us that healthy fisheries start with healthy ecosystems.
At the Knysna Estuary Research Foundation (KERF), we work within the Knysna Estuary—a vital nursery for coastal species like the endangered white steenbras. Estuaries like this are the starting point for many marine life cycles. When they thrive, so do our oceans.
🌊 Why Estuaries Matter for Fisheries
Estuaries aren’t just scenic—they are essential nursery grounds where juvenile fish grow before heading out to sea. For species like white steenbras, these areas are irreplaceable. Without them, fewer fish survive to adulthood, directly threatening our fisheries and coastal biodiversity.
Our Response: Science for Sustainability
KERF’s core work includes:
- Long-term fish monitoring via non-destructive surveys
- Researching population trends and habitat health
- Advocating for a Knysna Estuarine Protected Area (EPA)
- Driving education and community engagement efforts
How to Fish Sustainably: Practical Tips
Sustainable fishing isn’t just for large-scale fisheries—individual anglers matter too. Every responsible choice downstream contributes to healthier ecosystems upstream.
✔️ Catch and Release
- Use barbless or circle hooks to reduce injury—studies show they significantly decrease deep-hooking mortality.
- If a fish swallows the hook, cut the line close and release with minimal handling.
- Source: THE RESPONSIBLE ANGLER: Guidelines for responsible recreational fishing in South Africa
✔️ Size, Bag & Season Limits
- Stick to legal size and minimum mass limits, and adhere to closed seasons (e.g., snoek, galjoen, red steenbras) (South African Recreation Catch Size & Bag Limits |How Many Fish Can You Catch And Keep Per Day?)
- In South Africa, the general daily bag limit in saltwater is 10 fish per person, but specific species have distinct limits—always check before fishing Marine Recreational Fishing Regulations in South Africa
✔️ Permits & Legal Species
- You must have valid recreational fishing permits for freshwater and marine, obtainable via Post Office or the Department of Forestry, Fisheries & Environment (DFFE) South Africa Fishing: The Complete Guide for 2025
- Avoid prohibited or no-sale species and return them immediately if accidentally caught Marine Recreational Fishing Regulations in South Africa
✔️ Choose Sustainable Seafood
- Use the WWF-SASSI “traffic light” guide—Green = Best Choice, Orange = Think Twice, Red = Avoid.
- Download the WWF‑SASSI FishID app to instantly check seafood sustainability at the market or restaurant.
- Source: THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD INITIATIVE
🌐 Further Resources
- SANParks Fishing Guide: Comprehensive rules on bag/size limits, closed seasons, etc. Small Scale Fishers Support Programme
- SAAMBR “Responsible Angler” guide: Tips on hook types, barbless methods, catch-and-release techniques THE RESPONSIBLE ANGLER: Guidelines for responsible recreational fishing in South Africa
- WWF‑SASSI App & Web: Seafood sustainability info, guides, and species lists THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD INITIATIVE
- FishTheSea.co.za: Local bag limits, species rules, and regulations fishthesea.co.za
“Sustainable Fishing Means More”
This isn’t just a slogan—it’s a call to action. By fishing thoughtfully and supporting healthy estuaries, we create:
- More fish: Ensuring populations can replenish
- More biodiversity: Maintaining habitat health
- Resilience to change: Protecting systems from climate impacts
- Livelihood stability: For communities who rely on sustenance from the water
This World Oceans Day, let’s commit to practices that support the ocean—and the estuary—one responsible choice at a time.
👉 Discover more about KERF’s research and how to get involved: The White Steenbras Project
