Garrick

Scientific name

Lichia amia

Other names

Leervis

Fishing method

Recreational shore angling and spearfishing

Area of capture

South Africa

SASSI colour

Red (No- Sale Species)

Summary

Garrick are a recreational species only, and a premier game fish. The species is vulnerable to estuarine degradation and illegal gillnetting in estuaries.

The garrick is a large predator fish. There is an annual spawning migration to Kwazulu Natal, with the juveniles using the estuaries as nursery areas. This species of fish can be found in nearshore waters and estuaries. In South African waters, the garrick can be found along the coast from Cape Point to Cape Vidal, but internationally this species can also be found in the Mediterranean Sea and the waters around West Africa.

Garrick is a Red-listed no-sale species, this means that it is illegal to sell or buy this species anywhere in South Africa. This species is specifically reserved for recreational fishers and may only be caught by fishers in possession of a recreational permit. These fishers must also abide by the recreational permit conditions which include daily bag limits and minimum size limits. Recreational fishers are not allowed to sell their catch as this would result in an unsustainable amount of effort being used in the fishery and undermines the livelihoods of legitimate commercial fishermen who rely on the resource for their income.

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