Rhino Club’s Weblog

SASSI is a consumer awareness programme

Visit http://www.wwf.org.za/sassi for details

Research has shown that the consumer who asks questions drives positive change more rapidly than those who make eco-friendly choices, but don’t inform the restaurant or retailer.

Simply text the name of the fish to the number 079 499 8795 and you will immediately get a message telling you whether to tuck in, think twice  or avoid completely! Normal network rates apply.

ALWAYS ASK THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS when ordering Fish:-

What is it?

Where is it from?

How was it caught or farmed?

CONSUMER SPECIES LIST

This list tells you about which seafood species are legal and more sustainable choices. The species included on the list have been assessed by considering the stock status, the environmental effects of fishing and the management in place to reduce these effects or maintain the stock at healthy levels. Some fishing and farming methods pose less harm to the environment than others. Visit our website for more details on which farming and fishing methods are the most environmentally friendly.

EACH COLOUR HAS A DIFFERENT MEANING:

GREEN -BEST CHOICE

ORANGE -THINK TWICE

The most sustainable choices from the healthiest and most well managed populations. These species can handle current fishing pressure, or are farmed in a manner that does not harm the environment. Exercise caution when choosing these as there are reasons for concern, either because the species is depleted as a result of overfishing and cannot sustain current fishing pressure, or because the fishing or farming method poses harm to the environment and/or the biology of the species makes it vulnerable to high fishing pressure.

GREEN -BEST CHOICE

Alaskan Salmon

Anchovy

Angelfish

Atlantic Mackerel

Calamari (Squid)

Dorado

Gurnard (offshore trawl)*

Hake

Herring

Horse Mackerel/ Maasbanker

Kob (farmed on land)*

Mussels

Oysters

Panga (line caught)*

Portuguese Sardines

Queen Mackerel

Rainbow Trout (farmed in SA)*

Santer

South African Sardines

South African Snoek

Tuna (pole caught only)*

West Coast Rock Lobster

Yellowtail

ORANGE -THINK TWICE

Abalone (farmed)*

Atlantic/Norwegian Salmon (farmed)*

CapeDory

Carpenter (line caught)*

Catface Rockcod

African Sharptooth Catfish (farmed)*

Englishman

Geelbek/Cape Salmon (line caught)*

Hake (longline)*

Hottentot

Jacopever (offshore trawl)*

King Mackerel

Kingklip

Kob (farmed at sea or line caught)*

Monk

New Zealand Kingklip/ Ling

Pangasius/Basa (farmed)*

Prawns

Red Roman

Sharks (line caught)*

Skates and Rays*

Slinger

Sole (East Coast)

Swordfish

Tuna (local longline)*

White Stumpnose (line caught)*

Yellowtail (locally farmed)*

RED -DON’T BUY

Don’t buy these species because they are either from unsustainable populations, which are collapsed and/ or have extreme environmental concerns and/or lack appropriate management, or are illegal to buy or sell in South Africa (No sale species). Dealing in illegal species will result in prosecution. No sale species are  reserved for recreational fishers, who need a valid fishing permit, may not sell their catch and must adhere to specific regulations.

Black Musselcracker/ Poenskop

Dageraad

Kob (trawl caught)*

Red Steenbras

Red Stumpnose/ Miss Lucy

Scotsman

Sharks (trawl caught)*

Tuna (imported longline)*

White-edge Rockcod

Yellowbelly Rockcod

NO SALE SPECIES

Baardman/Belman

Blacktail/Dassie

Brindle Bass

Bronze Bream

Cape Stumpnose

Galjoen

Garrick

King Fish

Knife Jaw

Natal Stumpnose

Natal Wrasse

Potato Bass

River Snapper

Seventy-four

Spotted Grunter

West Coast Steenbras

White Musselcracker

White Steenbras

 SASSI is a consumer awareness programme which provides general advice. It is not an eco-label or an endorsement of specific products.

Visit http://www.wwf.org.za/sassi for more details

iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority Press Release 2012-10-22

Rhino Murder and “Operation Hammer”

An Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife iSimangaliso patrol while following fresh human tracks early Sunday evening detected an adult white rhino carcass.  Both horns were very crudely removed. The carcass was found in the Ozabeni section of iSimangaliso and was still fresh.   A specialist team was rapidly deployed to the area and the sweep continued into the early hours of this morning. The scene was also secured so that a thorough search for possible evidence can be conducted by staff with Organised Crime today.  A post mortem is currently in process by the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Vet.  

 This is the sixth rhino poached in iSimangaliso in the last 24 months.  The last rhino was poached in the WesternShores section of Park approximately 7 days ago. This brings the KZN and RSA totals of rhino’s poached so far this year to 57 and 456 respectively.  

“We are incensed by the senseless killing of this rhino” says Andrew Zaloumis the iSimangaliso CEO “it strengthens the resolve of staff to find the perpetrators of the shameful murder of this innocent and defenceless animal and to further strengthen and improve on anti-poaching measures in the Park.  Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife rangers are on the front line of combating poaching in iSimangaliso.   Information can make the difference to them in foiling a rhino poaching or catching the criminals.  Any information, or suspicious sightings can be reported anomalously to iSimangaliso’s 24hour emergency no. 0827977944”.  

“A reward of a R100 000 is offered by Ezemvelo to any person who provides information that results in the arrest and successful conviction of the culprits” says Tony Conway the Ezemvelo Conservation Coordinator for iSimangaliso, who further added that “new and innovative strategies had been implemented in the Park to combat this rhino onslaught and warned rhino poachers that absolute zero tolerance has been reinforced and anybody entering the Park illegally and armed, do so at their own risk!”  

“Destroying endangered species is an ecological and economic crime. Not only are rhino part of our collective national heritage, but the presence of wildlife is a vital resource for the country and region. In a region marked by poverty, tourism and conservation are the biggest employers on which families’ survival and paying school fees depend” said Zaloumis. 

This shocking blow follows on the heels of the recent “Operation Hammer” victory against illegal poaching activities in iSimangaliso. “Within 20 minutes of the start of “Operation Hammer”, twelve illegal boats, a hippo snare and two gill nets in the Dukuduku section of the Park were found in a known place where poachers hide their boats in dense vegetation and reed beds. Confiscated items were booked in at Mtubatuba Police Station for destruction by SAPS” says Johan Gerber who head up iSimangaliso’s Ezemvelo specialist Anti-Poaching Unit (APU).  

The operation was undertaken on the uMfoloziRiver flood plain to search for poachers and evidence of other crime.  Aerial coverage of the remoter sections of the 230 000ha iSimangaliso including Ozabeni and relating to rhino and marine poaching were included. This is the second recent combined operation by staff from Ezemvelo, SAPS ORS Border Policing: RichardsBay and SAPS KZN Airwing.  The first led to the confiscation of 28 unauthorised boats and poaching equipment .

“Good law enforcement and education are of paramount importance in conserving our national treasure and we will continue combating illegal activities at every turn,” said iSimangaliso CEO Andrew Zaloumis, thanking the sterling efforts of SAPS ORS Border Policing: RichardsBay, SAPS KZN Airwing, and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife staff at St Lucia Marine, Mfabeni, Cape Vidal, Ozabeni and the Anti-Poaching Unit.  

If members of the public have any information, or see anything suspicious please report these to Siboniso Duma (Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Conservation Manager St Lucia Marine) on 0825592871 or iSimangaliso’s 24-hour emergency no. 0827977944.  

For further information contact Siyabonga Mhlongo Media Officer on 0843820884; email  siyabonga@iSimangaliso.com

Serval Cats in iSimangaliso – Newsflash No.: 2012.10.22

iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority has introduced two rare servals into the Eastern Shores section of iSimangaliso, complementing the small resident population. Less than a dozen of these elusive creatures are currently thought to be found in the 230 000ha long iSimangaliso which offers the ideal habitat and wildscape.

“We are delighted to play our part in supporting an organisation like Emdoneni Animal Care and Rehabilitation Centre in ensuring the conservation and protection of this rare and beautiful species. The Eastern Shores of iSimangaliso’s Lake St Lucia provides them with a wild, secure home away from inhabited areas and the threat of snaring” Andrew Zaloumis, iSimangaliso CEO.

Servals are listed as one of the “”Threatened or Protected Species” (TOPS), due to their rarity. They are vulnerable to being snared and killed by farmers and in particular for their beautiful pelts.

The two new additions, which are still wild and not habituated to humans, were set free in the wide open grassland area where there is suitable habitat and plenty of prey. Servals eat mainly rodents, fish, birds, insects and small reptiles which are found in abundance in our natural wetland areas. Visitors on night drives will be lucky to spot them along with other predator species that  include hyaena, jackal, leopard and genet.

“It is fantastic to be releasing the serval cats into the pristine wilderness of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park where they are now free to wander in the wilderness without having to worry about any human pressure and can enjoy an abundance of delicacies of a well-balanced ecosystem. We hope we will see more of these threatened cat species being released in iSimangaliso in the future” said Louis and Cecillie Nel, owners of Emdoneni.

Ms F Douvere (UNESCO) and Mr S Zikalala (KZN ANC Sec Gen) released the serval. Mr Zikalala, commented that “This is very good work that iSimangaliso is doing in terms of conserving nature and animals. We also support UNESCO’s efforts in South Africa and this contribution to development which is part of our strategic goals. I’m very proud to be associated with this world heritage site,” he said.

iSimangaliso was also pleased to welcome Ms Fanny Douvere, Coordinator of UNESCO’s World Heritage Marine Programme, who was accompanied by the famous documentary, Thalassa, of the French main TV channel France3 to the serval release. Thalassa is producing a 30 minute documentary dedicated to marine world heritage that will be aired worldwide later this year. UNESCO’s 46 marine world heritage sites are considered “Jewels of the Oceans”. iSimangaliso was one of only two sites selected to represent these jewels in the documentary. In view of iSimangaliso’s close working partnership with Reserva Marinha Parcial da Ponta do Ouro and the proposed listing of Reserva Marinha Parcial da Ponta do Ouro with iSimangaliso as Africa’s first transboundary world heritage site, the visit was extended to Mozambique. Cross cutting issues include compliance; research; visitor management; managing disaster risks and large scale developments; community benefits and empowerment. A joint management framework is currently being drafted.

iSimangaliso CEO Andrew Zaloumis said, “No matter how often it occurs, a reintroduction event of an endangered species in crisis into a secure area such as iSimangaliso is extremely gratifying, and an achievement we should all be proud of.

“The introduction of serval is part of iSimangaliso’s integrated conservation strategy with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife to re-establish viable populations of the full range of game that originally lived in this part of southern Africa more than 75 years ago and in some cases became locally extinct. Other rare and valuable game already brought back includes elephant, black and white rhino, wild dog, tsessebe, oribi, cheetah and buffalo.”

Emdoneni Cat Rehabilitation Centre welcomes visitors to experience their environmental education projects and offers informative twice-daily tours and feeding during the afternoon. Wild Cheetah, Serval cats, African Wildcats and Caracal (lynx) which have been orphaned or injured are cared for and rehabilitated for release back into their natural habitat where possible. For more information visit www.emdonenilodge.com.

For iSimangaliso information contact Siyabonga Mhlongo Media Officer on 0843820884 or siyabonga@isimangaliso.com, or visit www.isimangaliso.com.

 

The Skydive for Rhinos initiative began in KwaZulu-Natal last year, with 40 first-time skydivers raising R500,000 for rhino protection in the province.   It helped to create Project Rhino KZN, an association of 16 leading conservation organisations that has brought together private game reserves and rhino owners, well-known conservation NGOs, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, rhino experts and anti-poaching specialists who are working together to counteract rhino poaching in KwaZulu-Natal.  World renowned rhino conservationist Dr Ian Player is one of the founding members.

This year, the African Conservation Trust has set its sights higher and aims to raise R10million for rhino anti-poaching needs, nationally.   The number of people agreeing to take their first tandem skydive in protest at the increasing poaching of rhinos in this country has also increased:  organisers are accommodating 448 willing people leaped out of planes from 10,000ft – one for every rhino killed in South Africa during 2011.

100% of funds raised will be used to improve rhino protection and anti-poaching efforts in hard-hit regions throughout South Africa.    Key anti-poaching needs that will benefit include training anti-poaching teams in a full complement of advanced skills, provision of specialised equipment for rhino security teams and extending aerial surveillance support to a wider range of rhino-bearing reserves.  Interventions that include education, awareness and job creation in rural communities close to game reserves are also seen as a major imperative.

Sharon Ilett is one of the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife people who has sky-jumped and raised funds for this cause. She will be jumping for the second time this year, this time in Cape town, on 22 September, and continues to fund-raise for this cause, throughout the year. 

ACT is not taking any fees or using any of the funds raised for the campaign’s operating and marketing costs.

Contact: Sheelagh Antrobus|Skydive for Rhinos 2012 R10million campaign | Project Rhino KZN Secretariat   funding@projectafrica.com or Telephone:  033-3422844