Through regular operations to many dams and rivers as well as reports from our volunteers throughout South Africa valuable information is gathered on the aquatic state of our freshwater eco-systems. This information includes the following:
Weigh-in reports received from sport fishing competitions and fish gathered in unlawful gillnets are also used to know what fish species occurring in our fresh water systems.
The information collected by Eco-Care Trust is forwarded to relevant government departments for their records and action.
An on-going project, Eco-Clean involves the distribution of litterbags to visitors at dams, rivers and angling competitions. The aim of this is to educate people to clean up after themselves. Vital spin-offs Eco-Clean are the recycling and job creation. One kilogram of refuse per bags can make a huge difference when multiply with the numbers of bags – can be tons of less refuse ending in dams.
Very often there are no dustbins along dams and rivers and if there are, the dustbins are either too far from the water edge, or in the water because of fluctuating water levels. The litterbags are an ideal solution to keep your picnic or angling spot clean.
The litterbags are sponsored by Plastics SA. Unfortunately it is not possible to supply enough litterbags to all public resorts. It is also costly to deliver litterbags on a continuous basis to all public resorts. The litterbags are given for free to visitors at the gates of participating public resorts.
The Eco-Clean project is also part of the Angling Bonanzas presented by Eco-Care Trust as part of the Keep the dam Clean competition. Clean-up campaigns is presented from time-to time, e.g. the Harties Clean-up campaign.
Unlawful gill nets are still a large problem in South African dams and rivers. Eco-Care Trust receives reports of gill nets in several areas of South Africa on a weekly basis.
The problem is not the utilisation of the fish resource, but the uncontrolled whipping out of fish populations in our dams and rivers.
You can only utilise a resource if the resource has the capacity in terms of size and right fish species diversity. Unfortunately gill nets are very much a non-selective method of utilisation and fish caught in the nets are doomed to death because of the injuries sustained in the nets. Therefore, if there are protected fish species in the aquatic system, gillnetting may totally destroy that fish species in that system. Furthermore, if permits to net fish are to be issued, the policing of the permits are absolutely essential. Sustainable utilisation is the requirements for biodiversity.
Taking all these factors into consideration, sustainable fishing by subsistence anglers and sport anglers, instead of commercial netting, appears to be the solution to support the economy and provide for the needy. This statement is backed by well-founded research.
The numbers of unlawful gill nets is disturbing. Obviously there is a good market for the resource and is clear that big syndicates are involved in the supplying of gill nets and selling of the fish. Unfortunately sustainability is not part these business endeavours.
The war against unlawful gill nets is fought mainly by concerned anglers taking out these nets, very often risking their own lives doing it.
Eco-Care Trust has since its inception took on the battle against unlawful gill nets. We have plenty of knowledge in the tracing and removal of unlawful gill nets and are involved in the removal of these nets on a continuous base through specific operations with the assistance of volunteers and law enforcement agencies.
Notwithstanding good legislation, there appears to be no political will to act against unlawful gill net operators and the syndicates behind the operations. In the rare cases of arrest the accused very often (literally) get off the hook with a warning or small fine. And in the meantime, the slaughtering of our fish resources is continuing!
The Department of Water and Sanitation is in a process to develop Resource Management Plan (RMP) for public dams in South Africa. A RMP is a plan which aims to regulate access and the recreational utilization of a water resource and the surrounding state land in ways which promote community participation and beneficiation, environmental conservation and to unlock socio-economic potential of the water resource. Currently Eco-Care Trust is part of the Dam Management Committee responsible for implementing the RMP at Loskop and Roodekopjes Dam.
As a non-profit organisation, Eco-Care Trust needs the support and sponsorship of business and individuals who are concerned about the future of South Africa’s aquatic ecosystems.
As part of our fundraising initiative, Eco-Care Trust presents a few big angling competitions, such as the Bloemhofdam Bonanza and the Vaadam Bonanza. Both these Angling Bonanzas are well-known events and are successfully presented for many years. For more information on the Angling Bonanzas, click on the respective link on this website.
Eco-Care Trust is registered as NPO and PBO and individuals or companies are invited to contact us to become involved as sponsors or donors.
