IDENTIFICATION
Geelbek is an elongate, robust fish with a bluish to coppery coloration above and white below. The mouth and inner surfaces of the gill covers are a conspicuous yellow. The tail is marginate which clearly distinguishes it from other similar kob species.

DISTRIBUTION
Geelbek is a widely distributed cosmopolitan species found on the east and west coast of Africa and the east coast of Australia. In South Africa, the geelbek population is distributed from Cape Agulhas to southern Mozambique.
It is a shoaling species found at depths of up to 100m. Juveniles and sub-adults occur in the south-western Cape, whilst adults undertake a seasonal spawning migration to Kwazulu-Natal. Most of the large geelbek arrive in KwaZulu-Natal at the same time as the annual sardine run.

FEEDING
Geelbek are voracious piscivores. Juveniles feed on small crustaceans and small fish, while adults feed predominantly on anchovies, sardines and maasbanker.

REPRODUCTION
Geelbek mature at a size of 90 cm fork length. Spawning occurs in deep water off the KwaZulu-Natal coast during winter and spring (July to November). Eggs and larvae are transported southwards by the inshore peripheral waters of the Agulhas Current.
After spawning off the KwaZulu-Natal coast, adults migrate back to the Cape dispersing over the Agulhas Banks during summer.

GROWTH
Geelbek are a fairly fast growing species with a maximum age of about 10 years. Sexual maturity is reached at an age of about 5 years.

FISHERY
The geelbek is an important species in the South African linefishery and is targeted throughout its distribution range. Large quantities of geelbek are caught by lineboats operating on the Agulhas Banks during the summer months. In KwaZulu-Natal only adult geelbek are caught during their winter/spring spawning aggregation. Most geelbek are caught from ski-boats, although a number are taken by shore and spearfishermen during the sardine run. It is estimated that numbers of mature geelbek have been reduced to less than 25% of their unfished level.

MANAGEMENT

• Categorised as an exploitable species.
• Minimum size of 60 cm.
• Bag limit of 2 per person per day for recreational anglers.
• There is no bag limit for commercial fishermen.

This species is threatened by sport anglers who exceed their bag limits and who illegally sell their catch.

Rudy van der Elst and Bruce Mann are acknowledged for the scientific information on which this publication is based.