The Wildlife Animal Protection Forum of South Africa sent an urgent letter to Minister Barbara Creecy.

“It is of serious concern to us that 13 whales have been entangled in octopus-trap fisheries along the South African coast over several years, with 9 whales having succumbed to their injuries.

Although very dangerous, octopus traps are not the only line catch devices causing entanglements; other fatalities have been recorded and have been linked to crayfish line traps. It is our understanding that both octopus and crayfish catch devices, as well as other line nonmovable systems, are a huge threat to marine life and simply should not be permitted in or near protected areas and along all known whale reproductive routes”.

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