Fish Identification course leads to new friendships

 

In October Ofer Gon ran two held two four-day Fish Identification courses for compliance officers from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF).These officials enforce compliance with fishing regulations promulgated under the Marine Living Resources Act (MLRA) of South Africa (act no. 18, 1998). The MLRA regulates the fishing of individual species of South Africa’s marine and estuarine fishes in the recreational, commercial and subsistence fishery sectors.

The course participants work in pairs. Participants are introduced to scientific principals such as species classification and biological similarity. They are also alerted to available resources relevant to their work, such as books and electronic databases, how to handle a fish specimen and how to use scientific identification keys. Each course comprised laboratory practical and short theory presentations, followed by hands-on work with specimens. At the end of the course the participants wrote a test to evaluate their newly acquired fish identification skills.

Some SAIAB interns also attenden the course. Amanda Gura said the course was especially helpful for her as a genetics intern. “The course has made it easier for me to be able to identify fish before even doing DNA testing,” she said.

DAFF Chief Director of Monitoring Control and Surveillance, Mr Mthoba, who also attended one of the courses, said the course was very important as Compliance Enforcement Officers must be able to identify species in the field as well as in storage, and to defend their identification. He was also thankful to SAIAB for the warm reception. “Even though we had only been here for four days; it felt like we’ve been here for much longer. Not every organisation is blessed enough to have vibrant interns and soccer teams,” he said.

Nomfundo Nkabi, who is also a SAIAB Intern, says apart from the skills she’s acquired during the course, she enjoyed meeting new people the most. “We invited some of the guys we met during the course to come watch one of the SAIAB ladies' soccer matches. The one gentleman who came appointed himself the ‘special projects coordinator’ of the team and bought the team Energade energy drinks”, she said. “The course came to an end too soon”, she adds.

At the end of each course, certificates are handed out to all course participants. To view the photos click here.