Tag and Release fishing project

Goukamma Marine Protected Area (MPA) initiated the catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) catch, tag & release fishing project in October 2013. This was done in an effort to monitor the in-shore linefish species diversity and abundance. The question is whether CPUE is increasing or decreasing over time. Data is collected at Oysterbeds within Goukamma MPA and at the adjacent study site, roughly 15km west of Goukamma next to Gericke’s Point, outside of the MPA, in the geologically and oceanographically similar habitat of Gona’s. Besides species diversity and abundance the finer inshore movements of fish are monitored and all data contribute towards the Oceanographic Research Institute’s national tagging programme. Click here to download a PDF of the report on the project, from outset until the end of 2015.