Following the death of yet another whale as a result of entanglement in an octopus fishing net, the City of Cape Town has called for a moratorium on octopus fishing and the removal of octopus nets and ropes.
According to the Council, at least three whales have become entangled in these nets and in ropes, and two have died as a result.
As reported by TimesLIVE, the carcass of a young humpback whale was found floating 500m off Sunny Cove in Fish Hoek. The whale died due to getting tangled in an octopus fishing line.
“I am very worried about the impact this is having on our marine life and ecosystem, and the ethics of the octopus fishing practice in general,” said Marian Nieuwoudt, Mayco member for Spatial Planning and Environment.
“I thus request the new [fisheries] minister Barbara Creecy to place a moratorium on this permit and that all fishing gear be removed from False Bay until such time as the fishing gear and equipment are redesigned, tested, and proven not to pose a threat to our marine life,” she implored. “We are aware that livelihoods and jobs depend on the octopus fishing industry. However, we have to insist on sustainable practices. We cannot allow a situation where whales continue to die because of these nets.”
Picture: Twitter