Not so, says Sassi's retail engagement officer Chris Kastern. He pointed out to the George Herald that the Red List contains a section labelled 'No Sale Species' as well as a section listing species that are still legal to sell, but which Sassi dissuades people from buying. Red stumpnose is one of those species which Sassi has assessed to be unsustainable, but trading is not in fact illegal.
The stall holder at the Farmers' Market, Tiaan Lourens, said he is well aware of the Sassi list as well as the regulations pertaining to the sale of ocean species. "Red stumpnose is a bycatch in this area and not a targeted species, therefore only caught occasionally and by law an allowable catch for recreational and commercial fisheries, as per their permit conditions.
"We have more than sufficient respect for our seafood resources, as it is our livelihood.
"We buy our fresh fish from registered commercial fishing vessels using handline fishing, which is the most environmentally friendly method. The handline method, as are all other methods, are policed by marine and coastal management with very strict permit conditions and regulations, enforced by the chief director of fisheries and the minister of agriculture, forestry and fisheries (DAFF).
"These permit conditions allow traditional linefish permit holders to catch red stumpnose in limited quantities per day.
"Although conservation and sustainability are high on our priority list and we voluntarily comply as far as possible with the recommendations of Sassi, the laws by which we are governed differ in this case from their recommendation," commented Tiaan.
Be informed
The public can ensure that they make choices that favour our ocean species by referring to Sassi's list. Visit www.wwf.org.za/sassi for the comprehensive Green, Orange and Red lists and photos of all the listed species.
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The Sassi Green, Orange and Red lists give consumers an idea of which fish species they should not buy to assist in protecting our marine resources.
