An analysis of the recreational shore fishery in the Goukamma Marine Protected Area

Ten years (1993–2002) of shore fishing catch and effort data collected during routine patrols in the Goukamma Marine Protected Area in theWestern Cape Province were analysed. Of a total of 35 species recorded, the most common were backtail, Diplodus sargus capensis (39%), and galjoen, Dichistius capensis (25%). These species dominated most years of the study period. Mean overall annual catch per unit effort by number and weight remained relatively constant over the period. Up to 30% of the recorded catches of top species were smaller than the minimum legal size limits. Although catches of most of the top species contained <7% immature specimens, 98% of recorded dusky kob, Argyrosomus japonicus, and 87% of white steenbras, Lithognathus lithognathus, were immature. Blacktail and galjoen showed a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in mean annual weight over the period. Inherent sampling biases associated with compliance-orientated fisheries monitoring procedures limited the potential of the collected data.Key words: Goukamma Marine Protected Area, Western Cape Province, fisheries compliance, shore fishery, catches, catch-per-unit-effort, sampling bias