The KwaZulu-Natal Boat Launch Site Monitoring System: A novel approach for improved management of small vessels in the coastal zone

• Novel system developed for boat launch site monitoring in the coastal zone.
• The System provides near-complete coverage of over 50 000 marine boat launches per annum.
• The system has been in place for nearly 10 years and has received good cooperation.
• Data provided by this system has enabled management authorities to make informed decisions.
• The system has the potential for roll-out elsewhere.

The KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province of South Africa has a large recreational and commercial boating industry, which includes line-fishing, scuba diving and other activities. Most of the vessels used are relatively small (less than 10 m long) and are capable of being launched from a beach directly through the surf. Beach launching in KZN is restricted to officially registered beach launch sites. The provincial government is responsible for the management of these sites, which is currently governed by national legislation controlling beach driving. Stakeholders in these launch sites include various government and non-government institutions as well as the launch site licence holders, the launch site operators and the boat users themselves. Collaboration between the stakeholders in KZN has resulted in the development of a Boat Launch Site Monitoring System (BLSMS) which includes maintenance of a daily launch register at all registered launch sites. All records from the launch registers are captured onto the BLSMS database providing comprehensive resource-use statistics. This is the first attempt at a province-wide monitoring initiative for boat launch sites in South Africa. The system also provides the only estimate of total fishing effort by marine recreational boat-based anglers. It is an example of unique, mutually beneficial co-operation between different stakeholders towards the common goal of improved management of small craft launch sites in KZN and the resources accessed offshore. Some of the highlights and challenges of this innovative monitoring programme for the period 2005–2012 are presented and discussed.