An assessment of the recreational fishery in the St Lucia estuarine system, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

摘要: St Lucia is one of the largest estuarine systems in Africa, and attracts thousands anglers each year. Catch card data from National Marine Linefish System for years 1986–1999 were analysed to determine catch composition, per unit effort ( cpue ) seasonality catches by recreational anglers. Because not all completed cards, estimates total made using additional on number private boat outings, boat trailers at slipways boats recorded entering campsite gates during 1992 1993. In all, 27 fish families, constituting 55 species, Dusky kob Argyrosomus japonicus , spotted grunter Pomadasys commersonnii perch Acanthopagrus berda Natal stumpnose Rhabdosargus sarba springer Elops machnata mini-kob Johnius dorsalis most prominent species caught terms numbers mass. rates expressed numerically (fish angler -1 h peaked summer early winter. However, mass, late winter spring, when there increased landings large dusky kob. Fluctuations linked salinity estuary mouth conditions (i.e. closure). Despite annual fluctuations regression analysis revealed an overall downward trend dominant (dusky grunter) a gradual increase stumpnose, springer, but with exception these trends significant. Socio-economic aspects fishery also investigated conducting independent boat-angler survey. The value fishery, accommodation direct expenditure, was estimated be region R9 million 1992. Angler attitudes towards fishing regulations positive generally had good knowledge target species. Based this assessment, suggestions are regarding future management Lucia. Keywords: effort, management, angling, socio-economics, system African Journal Science 2002, 24: 263–279