Assessment

The distribution and abundance of resource species is a key indicator for monitoring the change in stocks over time as a result of exploitation. Fish stocks may be dispersed across provincial boundaries, and migrations during different phases of lifecycles may also cross boundaries so provincial statistics would be meaningless. Stocks of interest are seaweed (Gelidium sp.), squid, mussels, abalone, crustaceans, pelagic and demersal stocks and linefish.

Stock status	Species
Collapsed	Silver kob, Dusky kob, Squaretail kob, Geelbek, Dageraad, Seventy-four, Slinger, Red steenbras, White steenbras, Yellow belly rockcod, Catface rockcod, Red stumpnose, Red roman, Scotsman, Engilsman, Poenskop, White mussel cracker, Galjoen
Over exploited	Elf, King mackerel
Optimally exploited	Yellowtail, Queen mackerel, Hake, Longfin tuna
Under exploited	Strepie, Panga
Under review	White stumpnose, Carpenter, Hottentot, Blacktail, Spotted grunter, Snoek
Unknown	Bronze bream, Santer, Zebra, Leervis

The indicator for the linefish stocks is shown. The general perception is that the linefish resource in the Eastern Cape is exhausted. The stock status of most linefish species is considered to be highly vulnerable.