Decomposed fish netted at Trichardsfontein
Residents tried their best to free the fish that were still alive and to throw them back into the dam, but to no avail as the fish were in a very bad condition.
TRICHARDT – People were horrified at the sight of dead fish that were netted in at the Trichardtsfontein Dam on Sunday, 12 January.
An estimated 500 karp barbels and other species died due to the illegal fishing nets that had been thrown into the dam.
The majority of the fish were in the advanced stages of decomposition.
Residents tried their best to free the fish that were still alive and to throw them back into the dam, but to no avail as the fish were in a very bad condition.
The nets were discovered when members of the yacht club, Messrs Jasper Coetzee and Willem van Lienden’s yacht they were sailing in got caught in one of the nets.
“We are very upset about the number of fish that has been lost,” Mr Van Lienden said.
The biggest fish was that of a four kilogram karp.
Mr Van Lienden said: “These nets are also a big danger for people who go out with their canoes and yachts only to get caught in them.”
The Ridge Times spoke to the Trichardtsfontein Caravan Park owner, Mr Andre de Jager, who said: “This is the first time we have experienced the problem of illegal fishing nets.
“We are more alert now that we have found these nets and when the culprits are caught, they will be prosecuted,” he said. said.
