We need to make a mind-shift change from thinking in terms of weight to thinking in terms of length. The calculation of weights based on fish lengths is the result of years of research by many dedicated scientists and research institutions such as the Oceanographic Research Institute, the Natal Sharks Board, and others. This research was summarized into a format that can be easily accessed and used by all anglers. Measuring a fish are done for two reasons:
To verify the legal length of a fish
To determine the estimated weight of a fish
According to the Marine Living Resources Act (Act No. 18 of 1998), Annexure 6 - Recreational Angling No (2): "The size of the fish shall be measured in a straight line from the tip of the snout to the extreme end of the tail". Thus, total lenght for legal size. For rays and skates the disk width must be measured.
To determine the weight of different fish or sharks it becomes a little more difficult as there are different ways to measure.
Fish with a forked tail
The measurements must be made from the tip of the nose to the start of the V in the tail along a straight line. This would be done for fish like yellowtail, tuna, garrick, santers, galjoen, steenbras and bream and is called Fork Length (FL)
Fish with no fork in the tail
These fish must all be measured in a straight line from the tip of the snout to the extreme end of the tail. This would be for fish like cob and rockcod and is known as Total Length (TL)

Skates and Rays
All of these must be measured from the tip of one disk in a straight line across to the tip of the other disk. This measurement is called Disk Width (DW)

Sharks
The rule of thumb is that sharks with teeth must be measured from the tip of the nose in a straight line to the pre-caudal notch before the tail. This is known as Pre-caudal Length (PCL). Sharks that fall in this category are bronzies, ragged tooth sharks, hammerheads, zambezi, mako, blue sharks etc.
Sharks with no teeth like smooth hounds, giant sandshark/guitarfish and spotted gullysharks are measured in full length. Shysharks like the pajama cat shark and the leopard cat shark are also measured in full length. These fish must all be measured in a straight line from the tip of the snout to the extreme end of the tail.

Billfish
Billfish such as marlin and sailfish are measured from the tip of the lower bill to the fork in the tail, known as Lower Bill Fork Length or LBFL.
Tips on measuring fish and sharks
Try to minimize the time the fish spends out of the water. If you are catching from a beach it is easy to make 2 marks in the sand and measure that, for example the disk width of a ray.
All measurements must be made in a straight line and across the shortest point. Do not follow the contours of a fish or shark as this will give an inaccurate measurement.
Also take note of the sex in sharks as in some species the females do weigh heavier than the males like the bronze whalers or raggies.
Be very careful of the business end of sharks as they may look defeated and tired but can suddenly turn and inflict very nasty, even fatal, wounds. The barbed tails of stingrays are also extremely dangerous.
Tips on taking photos of your prized catch
Always make sure you take a picture of your catch with the measuring tape in place across the whole body or disk, not only at the tail or fork, clearly showing the exact measurements. Take an extra moment to do this as it will clear up any misunderstandings by others. Try to have a recognizable object like a cigarette box etc close to the fish you are photographing as comparison. If at all possible get someone to verify your catch and measurements - not only the size but also the species. If in doubt, take more than one photo to help others identify the species.
With a general increase in the awareness of the vulnerability of our resources came the realization that we should do everything in our power to return as many fish alive as possible. Measuring fish allows just that - the ability to quickly measure and return your catch - none the worse for wear.
Happy fishing - and happy measuring!
















