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Rationale

There is little known about the biology and ecology of Rhabdosargus thorpei. This species is primarily caught in inshore waters in the surf zone, on shallow rocky and coral reefs while juveniles are known to use tropical estuaries as nursery areas. Population status of this species is not known; however, as it is not under any particular threat and is found in protected areas in parts of its range. It is listed as Least Concern.

Distribution

Rhabdosargus thorpei is endemic to southeastern Africa and is known from southern Mozambique (northern limit not recorded, possibly to Xai-Xai, Mozambique (Marcos Pereira, Centro Terra Viva, Maputo, pers. comm.)) to Port Alfred (South Africa) but is rare south of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa (Heemstra and Heemstra 2004). This species has also been recorded from southern Madagascar, and Europa Island in the Mozambique channel (Fischer and Bianchi 1984). Rhabdosargus thorpei occurs from the shore to 70 m depth (Heemstra and Heemstra 2004), but is mainly an inshore species (B. Mann ORI pers. obs.).

Habitat View more ecological information

Population trend

Trend

Rhabdosargus thorpei is fairly common off far northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa and southern Mozambique. Little has been documented about the population status of this species. Shore patrol monitoring of recreational angling catches along the KwaZulu-Natal coast suggests a decline in numbers between 1985-2008; however, these data should be viewed with caution as this species is easily confused with R. sarba and R. holubi (B. Mann ORI pers. comm.). Research shore angling in a marine protected area in far northern KwaZulu-natal from 2001–2012 recorded catches of this species as contributing 3% to total numbers (B. Mann, unpubl. data). North of KwaZulu-Natal, separate statistics are not reported for this species (Fischer and Bianchi 1984). In southern Mozambique (Ponta do Ouro to Inhaca) Rhabdosargus spp. comprise a very small proportion (<5%) of linefish catches by shore anglers (Instituto de Investigacao Pesqueira, Maputo, unpubl. data).

Threats

No major threats are known for Rhabdosargus thorpei; fishing is likely the main threat outside of marine protected areas; however, habitat degradation, especially to estuaries and coral reefs, may be a threat in the future (B. Mann pers. comm.)

Uses and trade

Rhabdosargus thorpei is primarily caught from the shore using rod and line and sometimes caught in beach seines (van der Elst 1988).

Conservation

Rhabdosargus thorpei is not specifically listed in national linefish regulations in South Africa and therefore forms part of the overall daily bag limit of ten fish per person per day for recreational and subsistence fishers (Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries 2012). In South Africa, marine protected areas (MPAs) such as the St Lucia and Maputaland MPAs provide some protection for this species, while in Mozambique the Ponto do Ouro Partial Marine Reserve may provide some protection (B. Mann ORI pers. comm.).

References

[@book{12137,
 address = {Cape Town},
 author = {van der Elst, R.},
 publisher = {Struik Publishers},
 title = {A guide to the common sea fishes of Southern Africa (2nd edition)},
 year = {1988}
}
,@techreport{12137,
 address = {Staatskoerant},
 author = {Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries},
 title = {Marine Living Resources Act, 1998 (Act No. 18 of 1998) and relevant government gazettes and notices},
 year = {2012}
}
,@book{170164,
 author = {Fischer, W. and Bianchi, G.},
 title = {FAO species identification sheets for fishery purposes. Western Indian Ocean (Fishing Area 51)},
 year = {1984}
}
,@book{170164,
 address = {Grahamstown, South Africa},
 author = {Heemstra, P. and  Heemstra, E.},
 publisher = {South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity and National Inquiry Service Center},
 title = {Coastal Fishes of Southern Africa},
 year = {2004}
}
,]

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