Authorities are appealing to offshore anglers to obey protected-species regulations after a skipper was recently found in possession of a seventy-four fish.

The seventy-four (Polysteganus undulosus) is a critically endangered, brilliantly coloured seabream endemic to the waters of Southern Africa.

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment conducted spot checks after receiving reports that the ban was being ignored, but only one angler was found in possession of the species. The angler was arrested.

With the shad season also closed until December 1, rock and surf anglers are turning their attention to garrick, daga salmon, stumpies, brusher and grunter.

Some big daga salmon, or kob, have been caught recently, including fish around 20kg and some approaching 30kg. Productive areas stretch from Umhlanga Rocks to Blythedale. Live bait remains the preferred method, although fresh fillet, chokka, octopus leg and mixed-grill baits are also producing fish. Large stumpies have taken these baits too.

Bronze bream catches improved during the week, while rocky areas produced mainly blacktail, along with stone bream and the occasional sizeable spotted rock cod.

Choppy conditions also brought reports of brusher around Umhlanga, with La Mercy, Ballito and Salt Rock worth trying.

Small rays and grey sharks are appearing in increasing numbers, an encouraging sign for anglers targeting inedibles. Mullet have also been caught, while light-tackle anglers await the arrival of wave garrick, three-spot pompano and juvenile stumpnose.

Sea temperatures reached 22°C last week, signalling that the summer fishing season is not far away. Conditions were reasonable for much of the week before a north-easterly stirred up the sea, but the weekend provided welcome fishing opportunities.

Offshore fishing remains productive when conditions allow. Night anglers have recorded excellent geelbek catches, particularly along the South Coast, while daga salmon remain widespread.

Local reefs continue to produce red fish, rock cod, half-kob and daga salmon, while anglers fishing the backline also landed some impressive garrick.