Population trend
Trend
Pagellus natalensis is an abundant species throughout its range (Fennessy and Mann 2012). Catch composition of P. natalensis from the shore and ski-boat sectors has remained below one percent between the period 1994–1996 and 2008–2009 (Mann et al. 1997, Dunlop 2011), however, these data are difficult to interpret as this species is not often retained or returned to landing sites (Fennessy and Mann 2012). Inshore small mesh trawling surveys showed P. natalensis to be one of the more abundant species in shallow sandy substrates down to 50 m off the Southern Cape coast. The highest abundances of this species were recorded close to Mossel Bay (Buxton et al. 1984) but trawl surveys off the KwaZulu-Natal coast have also found this species to be abundant (S. Fennessy pers. comm.).