A new mobile reporting tool is giving South Africans a direct way to help tackle illegal gillnet fishing, a growing environmental threat that is damaging aquatic ecosystems, endangering wildlife and raising public safety concerns.
The newly launched Gillnet Reporting App allows members of the public to report suspected illegal fishing activity, helping authorities gather intelligence and improve enforcement efforts across the country.
The initiative comes as reported gillnetting incidents have increased more than eightfold over the past decade, according to authorities.
What Is Gillnet Fishing?
Gillnets are vertical fishing nets suspended in the water using floats and weights.
Designed to trap fish by their gills, the nets can extend across the full depth of rivers, dams, estuaries and coastal waters.
While highly effective at catching fish, gillnets are indiscriminate and often trap:
- Juvenile fish that have not yet reproduced
- Protected species
- Sharks and rays
- Turtles
- Dolphins
- Birds
- Water monitors and other aquatic wildlife
Conservationists warn that the practice poses a significant threat to biodiversity and ecosystem health.
Threat to Endangered Species
Estuaries, which serve as critical nursery habitats for many marine species, are particularly vulnerable to illegal gillnetting.
These areas provide breeding and feeding grounds for sharks, rays and numerous fish species.
According to conservation experts, some shark and ray species affected by gillnet fishing are now considered more endangered than rhinos.
The widespread use of illegal nets can have devastating consequences for already vulnerable populations.
The Growing Problem of Ghost Nets
One of the most damaging consequences of illegal gillnetting is the creation of so-called “ghost nets”.
These are nets that have been lost, abandoned or discarded in the water.
Ghost nets continue trapping and killing wildlife long after they have been abandoned, sometimes for years.
Animals commonly affected include:
- Turtles
- Dolphins
- Fish
- Water birds
- Reptiles
The nets can also create hazards for swimmers, paddlers and other recreational water users.
Authorities Warn of Organised Crime Links
Law enforcement officials are increasingly concerned about the connection between illegal gillnetting and organised criminal activity.
Lieutenant Colonel Dean Nieuwoudt of the eThekwini Metropolitan Police Coastal Policing Unit says many people misunderstand the scale of the problem.
“There is a general misperception that gillnetting is only for hand-to-mouth fishing for food, when it is in fact also organised crime,” he says.
Authorities believe improved reporting from the public could help identify criminal networks involved in illegal fishing operations.
How the Gillnet Reporting App Works
The reporting platform was developed through a partnership involving the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), together with conservation, scientific and law enforcement organisations.
The app enables users to submit information about suspected illegal gillnet activity directly to authorities.
Reports help enforcement agencies:
- Identify illegal fishing hotspots
- Track repeat offenders
- Plan targeted enforcement operations
- Improve response times
- Collect data on the extent of the problem
Dr Jennifer Olbers, Senior Scientist at WILDTRUST, says the platform strengthens cooperation between communities, conservationists and authorities.
Information submitted through the app plays an important role in supporting conservation efforts and improving enforcement outcomes.
How to Report Illegal Gillnet Fishing
South Africans can access the reporting platform by:
- Downloading the Survey123 mobile app.
- Installing the Gillnet Reporting App.
- Submitting details of suspected illegal gillnetting activity.
Incidents can also be reported directly to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment via:
Public Participation Key to Protecting Waterways
Conservation organisations believe public reporting will play a crucial role in protecting South Africa’s rivers, estuaries and coastal ecosystems.
By reporting illegal activity, citizens can help reduce threats to endangered wildlife, improve compliance with fishing regulations and support efforts to preserve aquatic biodiversity for future generations.
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