DEAR Editor;-
With reference to last week’s letter from a certain Rolf Rawe and without being disrespectful to the obviously ignorant writer, we would hereby like to respond accordingly.
Firstly, if you had made the effort or taken the time to just pick up the phone and clarify some of your statements and accusations before you put pen to paper, you would not have publicly exposed your total ignorance and obvious lack of intelligence in terms of how we as rock and surf anglers target and handle fish.
Targeting sharks and rays is a common practice by many rock and surf anglers, and yes we are also very conscious of the conservation aspect of dealing with these magnificent creatures. Not knowing your history in terms of whether you are a fisherman or not, you obviously are not aware, or do not understand the lengths that we go to in order to ensure the fish are returned unharmed to the waters. These days very few anglers are even using gaffs to land their fish, and will rather persevere and try and land the fish unharmed.
With reference to your statement regarding the hooking and landing of raggies, unless one has ‘Superman like powers’ able to see through water, how would one guess what is at the end of one’s line before landing the fish.
So let’s set the record straight in terms of your letter and reference to the previous report, all those fish were returned alive to the water and in a good condition. For your information we did a trip to Port St John’s last year where in three days we boated 14 garrick. Every one of those fish was returned alive. Regarding your ‘Wanton Slaughter’, I suppose you have also had a go at the hunting fraternity when they pose with their ‘catch’ which they obviously have difficulty returning alive to the bush once they have posed for their trophy photos.
So, Mr Rawe, do yourself and many other readers a huge favour and find yourself a hobby that can stimulate your obviously dormant mind and focus on more serious aspects going on in our world.
TACKLE BOX
Shelly Beach
