THERE’S an app for that!

That catchphrase from some 10 years ago is true for almost anything, and now it can be said of fish identification too.

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When Rudy van der Elst first produced his book, A guide to the common sea fishes of southern Africa, it quickly became the ‘go to’ book for fish enthusiasts.

But now times have changed and the vast majority of people constantly have their cellphone in their pockets with information at their fingertips at the tap of a screen.

The angling world has not been left behind technologically and a new fish identification app is proof of that.

Produced by Dr Bruce Mann of the Oceanographic Research Institute (ORI) based at SAAMBR (South African Association of Marine Biological Research) in Durban, the app contains all the information every angler needs to know about 249 of the fish most commonly caught along the South African coast.

Brilliant photos, up-to-date information, distribution maps, current regulations, a way to compare similar species and a length-weight calculator for these most common fish – it’s all on the app.

‘We designed this app because of our passion for South Africa’s line fish,’ said Dr Mann.

‘Collating all the information and photos of 249 species, and producing the app took longer than we ever imagined.

‘We hope that anglers will enjoy using the app to learn more about the fish they catch, and we hope it will inspire everyone with an interest in fish to care a little more about our amazing line fish.’

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The app is based on line fish research undertaken in South Africa over the last 50 years, and includes the most recent information available.

Each specie’s profile was carefully researched and then written so the information is accessible and easy to understand.

SAAMBR CEO, Dr Larry Oellermann, expressed his delight at the production of the app.

‘This is something I’ve dreamed of for years; a way of figuring out what species I’ve caught and all the information I need to know about it.

‘Now I have 50 years of line fish research at my fingertips.’

All proceeds from the sale of the app will be ploughed back into the research of South Africa’s line fish by going towards the ORI co-operative fish tagging project.

For more information on the app visit https://www.saambr.org.za/marine-fish-guide-for-southern-africa-app/

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