Make sure about that trout pond

Alien fish species found outside demarcated areas will soon face certain death and the humans harbouring them without permits, will face the wrath of the law.
The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) is closer to drafting regulations to bring the distribution of alien invasive freshwater fish species under stricter control, to protect indigenous and endemic freshwater biodiversity. These regulations will fall under the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act 2004 (Act 10 of 2004), Alien and Invasive Species Regulations.
According to the minutes of a SANBI-hosted workshop held in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, alien invasive fish species earmarked for stringent controls are silver carp, bluegill sunfish, Cape kurper and the banded tilapia. Certain other species, which are popular among local recreational and sport anglers, will eventually be confined to areas acceptable to SANBI, and only introduced at acceptable levels by provincial authorities. These include rainbow trout, brown trout, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass.
The Federation of South African Flyfishers (FOSAF) is one of the stakeholders working with SANBI and the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) to work out compromises that protect the interests of the multimillion rand South African trout and flyfishing industry, while helping DEAT and SANBI achieve conservation goals.
“DEAT requires demarcated areas where trout management is considered a valid land use be mapped for publication with the regulations, so stakeholders will be aware of their extent,” reads a FOSAF report on the Pietermaritzburg workshop. This will be done with stakeholder involvement.
“Known areas of sensitive biodiversity will be excluded from these zones, as will all protected areas, except where recreational fishing for trout is part of the management objective,” the report explains. “The demarcated trout area boundaries will be revised periodically, as specified in the Act.”
Meanwhile, the SA Sport Anglers and Casting Confederation (SASACC) also agreed Species Management Zones should be established, where alien invasive fish species would have little impact on areas where angling is practised.
However, SASACC added, “Our objective is to see the status quo remain in place for alien species in all major river systems frequented by recreational, subsistence and organised anglers. This is a much more cost-effective approach and aligns itself with the requirements of the proposed regulations.
“All alien fish caught are used for consumption, while there must be restrictions on the number of indigenous fish kept, as specified on a national freshwater angling license. Exception must be given to organised or sports angling practising catch and release, as determined by national and international angling rules under strict, official supervision.”
According to SANBI draft maps are being drawn up for the proposed areas where alien invasive fish species management is permitted. This should be concluded by July. – Lloyd Phillips