According to the World Wildlife Fund of South Africa, there may be a significant way to reduce whale entanglement through the use of ropeless fishing techniques. This would remove the need for floating ropes by trap fisheries who often use netting techniques to catch rock lobster and octopus, leaving ropes between the water surface and ocean floor – enough space for various other sea creatures to tangle themselves in.
Even more disturbing is the fact that around 14 whales get tangled in rope-based fishing gear each year, with approximately R10 000 being allocated to waste management services in order to remove the dead whale from these ropes, states WWF South Africa marine scientist Monica Stassen.
The revelation comes after WWF-funded research through the University of Cape Town’s Michael Daniel and Associate Professor Colin Attwood put various techniques to the test. Through their study, they’ve found that ropeless fishing is the way to go when it comes to reducing whale entanglements in South Africa.
“In South African waters, Bryde’s whales are particularly vulnerable to entanglement in trap fishing ropes as they dive deep and fast to catch their food. Other species at risk include southern right and humpback whales due to their natural tendencies to investigate floating objects like rope and kelp,” reads the WWF statement.
This innovative technique will ensure that buoys are only released when the time comes for harvest, preventing ropes from floating in the water for long periods of time. While fisheries may be concerned when it comes to the price of deploying such a technique, the WWF research suggests that implementing ropeless fishing will see an increase in costs of less than 5%.
Even more hopeful is the fact that a fishery in False Bay has been utilising ropeless fishing techniques since the beginning of 2020 with not one whale entanglement taking place since then, states WWF.
As summer draws closer and more South Africans head out with their fishing rods, various organisations are urging the public to practise responsible fishing, as per IOL.
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