30/08/2026
Fun Fishy Facts is back!! Starting with our national fish.... Galjoen, also known as Damba, is South Africa’s national fish. This fish is endemic and found only along the coast of Namibia and South Africa. It prefers the cooler waters of the West and South coasts and is mainly found in the surf-zone in rocky areas with rough white water. They eat invertebrates such as molluscs (snails) and crustaceans and especially enjoy small mussels. Many thousands of galjoen have been tagged in the De Hoop Marine Protected Area (MPA) and in other areas along the South African coast through the ORI Tagging Project. This research has shown that galjoen are generally very resident. Although most fish stay at home, about 5% of the population are wanderers and some have travelled thousands of kilometres, some crossing the border between Nambia and South Africa and others rounding the Cape Peninsula from the West to the South coast and vice versa. Our in-shore no-take MPAs are very effective in protecting resident members of the population and research has shown how these populations can enhance adjacent fished areas through a process known as spill-over. The galjoen population is overfished and requires careful management. The bag limit is 2 per person per day and the size limit is 35cm total length. This fish has a closed season from 15 October to last day of February. Photo Dennis King
29/08/2026
29/08/2026
26/08/2026