Geelbek

Scientific name

Atractoscion aequidens

Other names

Cape salmon (market)

Fishing method

Linefishery

Area of capture

South Africa

SASSI colour

Orange

Summary

Geelbek (Atractoscion japonicus) is a member of the Sciaenidae family, which includes kob, geelbek and baardman. They are an important species to inshore commercial and recreational fishers. By 1997, Southern African spawning stocks were thought to have collapsed with spawning stocks depleted to approximately 3 % of their unexploited populations, however, stricter linefishery regulations have since been put in place and there are indications that this species might be showing signs of recovery. This species is likely to be placed on the IUCN’s Red list within the next year. They are a migratory shoaling species in which the adults tend to migrate from the Western and Eastern Cape towards Kwa-Zulu Natal, where they spawn during spring. Adults tend to form spawning aggregations in well known localities in Kwa-Zulu Natal, where they are often targeted by commercial fishers.

Geelbek are mainly caught in the traditional linefishery which operates from small ski- and deckboats within the inshore zone along most of the South African coastline, they are also often targeted by recreational linefishers and sometimes by treknetting in the South West Cape. Linefishing is a relatively selective fishing method which has few impacts on the marine environment and is carried out with either a rod and reel or a handline. There is generally very little bycatch or habitat damage caused by this fishing method. However, some species targeted by this fishery are over-exploited or collapsed because of their specific life history characteristics.

The minimum size limit is 60cm for recreational and commercial fishers.

For more information, email us at sassi@wwf.org.za.