SIZWE SAMAYENDE, Komatipoort | Thursday
SOUTH African and Norwegian scientists are using sophisticated technology to track nine rare tiger fish in Mpumalanga’s Crocodile River.
Scientists from the Mpumalanga Parks Board (MPB), the Kruger National Park and Norwegian Institute of Nature Research implanted sophisticated radio transmitters on the adult fish near Komatipoort last week to determine their migration patterns and population size.
MPB spokesman Gary Sutter said information gathered would enable his department to preserve the fish, the ecosystem as well as eco-tourism in the area.
The tiger fish, a favourite of freshwater game fishermen because of its scarcity in the country, is only found in the Onderberg in Mpumalanga and in Pongola in KwaZulu-Natal.
“It’s challenging for fishermen because they do not always catch it as easily as other fish,” Sutter said.
He said the scientists hooked the fish last week, anaesthetised them in a chemical bath, and attached a battery-operated transmitter under the back of their dorsal fins.
The transmitter will enable scientists to research the tiger fish’s feeding habits, habitats and movement patterns.
MPB aquatic researcher Francois Roux has urged recreational anglers to practice catch and release methods to enable the fish to complete their natural breeding cycles. – African Eye News Service