YWG Newsletter: January 2012

Dear All,

Trust you all had a great festive season and can look forward to a prosperous 2012? There are plenty of challenges ahead but as we have shown in the past if all the environmental NGO's and other concerned organisations and persons work in concert we can bring about major improvements.

A large number of the new ‘Sustainable Yellowfishing' pamphlets have been distributed and I have a limited supply left and can post these to anyone needing copies. You can also download copies by going to http://fosaf.co.za/ywgDocuments.php. Once again let me remind you that the Ordinances or environmental/conservation Acts of all provinces make it an offence to wilfully damage, disturb or destroy the ova or spawn of fish or spawning bed, bank or shallow whereon or wherein the spawn of fish is deposited.

Other News

1. With regard to the annual conference from April 13 to 15 have already booked accommodation in Stellenbosch on the Friday and Saturday nights for those from inland who have confirmed they are attending. These are Bridget Corrigan, Gordon O'Brien, Leon Barkhuizen, Peter Mills, Peter Ramollo, Reveck Hariram, Rob Karssing and Wayne Sinclair. If there is anyone else we need your names by January 20 as after this date you will have to make your own arrangements. At this stage it looks as if accommodation will cost about R400 for the two nights and to that will be added catering costs and a small registration fee. We expect some delegates will stay with family and friends as will Nico Smit and I.
2. The proposed theme for the conference is, "Threatened species: Can we secure the future for SA's indigenous fishes?" and we ask those who wish to present papers to contact Peter Mills (peterjm@mweb.co.za) as soon as possible. Representatives from the various provincial departments will of course be expected to present a report for their respective provinces.
3. Two more important papers have been added to those filed in the YWG Archives section of the website at http://fosaf.co.za/ywgDocuments.php. These are, "An assessment of the influence of multiple stressors on the Vaal River" and "Regional Scale Risk Assessment of threats to the yellowfish (Labeobarbus spp) and the ecosystems in the Vaal River"
4. Go to https://www.ewt.org.za/WHATWEDO/OurProgrammes/HealthyRiversProgramme for an update on EWT's Crocodile-Marico Catchment Conservation Project wich focuses on areas identified as potential fish sanctuaries and key sites identified by NFEPA. Good progress has been made with excellent support from committed landowners and other stakeholders.
5. For the first time in many years we have a Flyfishing Expo to look forward to. This will be held at the Heartfelt Arena in Pretoria on 14-15 April, unfortunately during our conference. But for others who wish to visit or take a stand please go to www.flyfishing-expo.co.za.

Regards,

Peter

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