Catface rockcod

1. What is it?

Catface rockcod (Epinephelus andersoni) are predatory, slow growing fish found around shallow rocky reefs. There are limited fisheries data available and there is no recent stock assessment. However, there are indications that current stocks are no longer being optimally exploited and maybe overfished. They are listed as Near Threatened on IUCN’s red list of threatened species.

2. How was it caught or farmed?

Catface rockcod are caught using the traditional linefishing methods of rod and reel or handlines operating from small ski-and deckboats. Linefishing is a relatively selective fishing method with few impacts on the marine environment and little accidental bycatch.

3. Where is it from?

Catface rockcod are caught along the South Africa coastline from De Hoop (rare) to Mozambique. Management for the sector is considered partly effective. In South Africa this sector is principally managed through a total allowable effort (TAE) limitation and there are additional restrictions to protect overfished species such as bag (5 pp/pd) and minimum size (50 cm) limits for recreational fishers. There is some concern over the impact of the small-scale fishery rights allocation beyond the recommended TAE and the continuously growing recreational sector.