FOSAF FLYFISHING NEWS

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YWG Newsletter: May 2013

Dear All,

The conference was held in very wet, cold conditions with at least 100 ml of rain falling from Friday evening through to Saturday morning. 

Orange Vaal River Conservation & Management Association (OVRYCMA) Newsletter

In his March 2013 Newsletter OVRYCMA chairman, Leon Barkhuizen, describes the field work and fish surveys he has undertaken on some of the state dams in the Free State. .

The 17th Annual Yellowfish Working Group Conference.

The 2013 conference will be held on Saturday 20th April at one of the premier flyfishing resorts on the Vaal and a short distance from Deneysville. The venue, Vaal Streams Eco Resort (www.vaalstreams.co.za), has been selected not only because it is only an hour from Johannesburg and the airports but it is within a reasonable distance of the northern provinces. Added to that delegates can enjoy excellent flyfishing before and after the meeting. The chairman, Peter Mills, is planning an interesting programme which will include reports from provincial aquatic scientists, NGO’s and academics.

NEM:BA Alien & Invasive Species Update

As reported last year FOSAF became aware that the Department of Environmental Affairs (“DEA”) was intent on pressing ahead with the implementation of a regulations framework that we were led to understand (on what little we at that stage could ascertain) was entirely different from that which we had commented and worked so hard on in the past. 

Mining right for open cast coal mine granted in Dullstroom area.

The news that the WPB Colliery had been granted a mining right was greeted with shock by the SEI (Steenkampsberg Environmental Initiative) which is a coalition of FOSAF and major environmental NGO’s. Nearby landowners including the many flyfishing venues in the area were equally appalled. 

A new plan for the Karringmelk

The riparian owners of this very attractive stream have decided to promote the Karringmelk in a novel way. 

First stocking of trout from new Winterberg hatchery

Congratulations to Martin Davies, Johnny Morgan and all those involved in setting up the new hatchery at Redcliffe Farm in the Winterberg. 

FOSAF’s 25th Anniversary & the Eastern Cape Chapter’s AGM

This was celebrated at a special dinner on 3^rd November 2012 at the Eagles Ridge Hotel, Stutterheim where FOSAF was founded 25 years ago.

FOSAF Exemplary Service Awards for 2012

FOSAF presented three Exemplary Service Awards in 2012 and they went to Ronnie Pitt, Mariette Lieffrink and Dr Koos Pretorius.

Update on NEM:BA Alien & Invasive Species Regulations

The protracted process of finalising the draft NEM:BA alien and invasive species ("AIS") regulations drags on.

Two major new threats to our fly fishing
Two more major threats to our fly fishing have emerged recently
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Stocking Yellowfish: YWG Policy Statement June 2010
The YWG has reviewed its policy regarding the stocking of yellowfish (the moratorium) and has adopted the following policy statement:
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Catch & release guidelines for yellowfish anglers
Following reports in the media regarding catch & release induced stress in Vaal River yellowfish the YWG has decided to state its own position regarding C & R
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Proceedings of the 2010 YWG Conference
This document is now available on the website. To read more, follow the link below:
YWG Proceedings 2010
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NEM:BA Mapping: Category 2 species

Dr Ernst Swartz and his team at SAIAB have completed the mapping for all these alien/invasive species including trout ........... 

NEM:BA mapping: Category 2 alien fish species.
The proposed draft maps for alien species are now on the SAIAB website. To access these maps ...........
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Final EIA Report for the CFR rehabilitation project

The final EIA Report dated April 2009 has been published.

NEM:BA 2 - SANBI Report
To read the full report from SANBI read on...
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NEM:BA - Latest on Trout zoning
At the latest national workshop on trout distribution held in Pietermaritzburg in January delegates applauded the presentation of Fosaf's position based on zoning whilst balancing the interests of biodiversity with those of the stakeholders,including the trout and trout tourism industry and flyfishers at large. It appears that Fosaf's sensible, practical approach to zoning has gained wide acceptance.
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