KNYSNA NEWS - Six Knysna residents will take on 200km over 10 days to tackle marine pollution along the Garden Route.

The six locals, who are part of what has been dubbed the Strandloper Project, will be setting off on the coastal survey between Stilbaai and Wilderness on 14 May to document and collect data on two local environmental issues: plastic pollution and discarded fishing tackle.

'Ocean choking with plastic'
"It is no secret that our ocean is choking with plastic. Our daily social media feeds are frequently punctuated by videos or articles relating to the degradation of the marine environment. It is a sobering reality that plastic pollution is seriously impacting ocean health. What many people perhaps don't know is that a lot of the plastic in the ocean is comprised of lost fishing gear. One of the many negative consequences of lost fishing gear is a term called 'ghost fishing'," explained project founder and co-coordinator Mark Dixon.

Recreational fishing also contribute
Ghost fishing occurs when fishing gear is lost, dumped or abandoned. 

While long lines and nets from fishing trawlers wreak the most havoc in this regard, recreational and subsistence fishing also negatively impacts on the sensitive underwater realms.

Monofilament fishing line, which is made of plastic, often becomes snagged and is then subsequently cut. The hook at the end of the line is then left suspended in the water with the bait still attached. A fish then takes the bait, gets hooked and dies. Once that fish is dead, its decomposing flesh lures other marine life, and so the cycle continues. 

Studies have shown that one snagged line has the potential to kill up to 10 fish. 

Not only that, but marine life is often tangled in lost fishing line and snagged gear physically damages the sensitive coral reefs.

Discarded fishing gear
Dixon, who is a marine biologist and local nature guide, was conducting a snorkelling tour at Gericke's Point in Sedgefield in January last year and while below the surface he was shocked to see how much discarded fishing gear littered an extensive section of the reef.

To shed light on the issue and to help address it, Dixon formed the Strandloper Project and has since dedicated a lot of time and energy educating the public about this challenge.

He has also rallied together like-minded ocean warriors. Over the past year, a large amount of snagged fishing gear has been salvaged by concerned volunteers from three identified sites in Knysna and Sedgefield.

Most focus on commercial fishing
Most research is focused on commercial fishing activities, but little research has been conducted on the various aspects of snagged, recreational shoreline fishing tackle. In order to accurately document the issue of both ghost fishing and plastic pollution, data needs to be collected and analysed.

In an effort to measure just how much plastic litters the area's shoreline and how much snagged fishing tackle is lurking beneath the surface, a small team of volunteers from the Strandloper Project will be embarking on the 10-day hike between Stilbaai and Wilderness.

The team consists of Dixon; field researcher and event management consultant Amanda Dixon; Knysna Basin Project director Dr Louw Claasens; Eden Adventure owner and passionate photographer Chris Leggatt; keen diver and ardent conservationist Melinda Morkel; and conservation blogger and professional photographer Lisa Leslie.

Documenting all pollution found
Over the course of these 10 days, the team will walk in stages of 20km per day to survey washed-up plastic pollution found en route and will free dive at certain key fishing sites to assess snagged fishing tackle. 

All of this will be documented using Cybertracker and will be classed in size, colour and original use, and recorded with GPS location.

"By mapping the location of various categories of plastic found on the hike, we will be able to link it to possible sources and then approach respective municipalities to take appropriate action to prevent future losses into rivers and the ocean," Dixon said.

Data used to educate
Data collected on ghost fishing can later be used to educate recreational and subsistence fishermen throughout the region and possibly beyond.

Walking in the footsteps of the Strandlopers who combed the shoreline for sustenance thousands of years before them, the team will also aim to forage at least one meal per day from the coastline.

To ensure the success of the campaign, the project requires not only financial support but also equipment including SPF clothing, hats, shoes, sunscreen, hiking packs and tents.

They would also need products including food and water as well as logistics, including backup, communications, administration and organisation.

Would you like to help?
To support this project, contact Dixon on 082 213 5931 or ghostfishing@strandloperproject.org, or visit www.strandloperproject.org.

From left: Lisa Leslie, Louw Claassens, Chris Leggatt, Melinda Morkel, Mark Dixon and Amanda Dixon are part of the Strandloper Project. Photo: Supplied

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