Pondoland MPA Aerial Survey 3 - bateleurs 2009 Missions

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2009 Missions

Pondoland MPA Aerial Survey 3

Mission: To count subsistence intertidal invertebrate harvesters along the Pondoland coast during spring low tide
Date: 17 December 2009
Requesting organisation: Oceanographic Research Institute
Location: Pondoland marine protected areas
Pilot: Steve McCurrach

Thanks to Steve McCurrach for an amazing flight in his Rainbow Cheetah on Thursday the 17 December. After a long period of rain and overcast skies, the weather on Thursday was near perfect with clear blue skies and a light north-easterly wind. The countryside looked magnificent after all the rain and the visibility was excellent. After taking off at Camperdown (Mertles) at 08h30 we stopped in at Port Edward (Microlight Club) for a quick breakfast and a much needed cup of coffee. We were back in the air again by 10h00 and ready to start our count at Mzamba River (start of the Pondoland MPA) exactly at spring low tide (10h07). The mission was successfully accomplished and we counted a total of 52 shore anglers and 129 invertebrate collectors on the rocks between the Mzamba River and the Umzimvubu River at Port St Johns. There were less shore anglers than our previous counts despite it being peak holiday season as by now the north-easterly had freshened and was blowing at 20-25 knots. The number of invertebrate collectors was again remarkably similar to the previous two counts thus suggesting that it is much the same group of people coming down to collect invertebrates each spring tide. The information collected during these surveys will be used to develop a Geographical Information System (GIS) to help inform the improved management of the Pondoland Marine Protected Area. As always it was a real privilege to be able to fly along such a magnificent stretch of coastline and we are extremely grateful to the Bateleurs for assisting us with this important project.

Conclusion: Was the objective of the flight met? The objective was certainly met and with the help of a slow, manoeuvrable aircraft and an excellent pilot, an accurate count of shore collectors was obtained.