Cape dory

1. What is it?

Cape dory (Zeus capensis) are endemic, fast growing, demersal, solitary fish that only aggregate when spawning. Cape dory is commonly mislabeled as John Dory; which is however a different species ( Zeus faber ). This species is not targeted directly by fisheries but is caught as bycatch in the offshore and inshore demersal trawl fishery for hake and sole (inshore only). No stock assessment has been conducted for this species.

2. How was it caught or farmed?

Cape dory are caught as bycatch in inshore and offshore demersal trawl fishery for hake (MSC certified) and sole using trawl nets. The fishery gear consists of trawl nets that are dragged along the seabed at different depths. Demersal trawling is known to damage the seabed; the extent and impact of this damage remains unknown. Trawling is not a selective fishing method and several other species are often caught in the nets (fish, sharks and rays). Some effort has been made to reduce seabird deaths through the use of tori lines and work is underway to better understand impact on ETP species.

Cape dory are caught as bycatch within the offshore demersal trawl industry for hake (MSC certified) using trawl nets that are dragged along the seabed at depths typically ranging from 110m to 800 m (known as “demersal trawl nets”). This type of trawling is known to damage the seabed; the extent and impact of damage remain unknown. Trawling is not a very selective fishing method and a number of other species are often caught in the nets (fish, sharks, and rays). Seabird interactions with trawl cables near the surface are also a major concern. A success story in the fishery has been the implementation of effective seabird mitigation strategies developed in connection with the MSC-certification process. These strategies have resulted in a dramatic reduction in seabird-fishery interactions through the introduction of tori lines (lines covered in coloured streamers making trawl attachment lines more visible to birds) and improved disposal of offal (discards that attract seabirds).

3. Where is it from?

Cape dory are caught between Cape Agulhas and the Great Kei River at depth shallower than 110 m. There are some ecosystem-based management measures in place such as precautionary catch limits on monkfish and kingklip and limited fishing areas (i.e. fishing within a “footprint” to limit seabed disturbance). A co-management approach was trialed in 2015 – 2016 which aimed to bring under management 10 non-target species in the sector. Management is largely effective and mainly focused on the target species (hake and sole) in the form of Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and permit limitations.

Cape dory are caught as bycatch on the continental shelf edge and upper slope along the West Coast from the Namibian border southwards and on the South Coast primarily around the Agulhas Bank. Management is mainly focused on the target species (hake) in the form of Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and permit limitations. There are some ecosystem-based management measures in place such as precautionary catch limits on monkfish and kingklip, tori lines to reduce sea bird interactions, and limited fishing areas (i.e. fishing within a “footprint” to limit seabed disturbance). Research is underway to better understand the impacts to seabed habitats. There is, however, little information on impacts to sensitive shark, skate, and ray populations.