Biodiversity Management Plan for the Barrydale redfin

A Solution to Safeguard its Future and Ensure Water Security for Barrydale 

​On March 20th, the Grootvadersbosch Conservancy hosted a workshop focused on the conservation of the Barrydale redfin (also called the Tradouw Redfin) (Pseudobarbus sp. ‘burchelli Tradouw’) a freshwater fish species endemic to the Barrydale region. The species faces significant threats from habitat degradation, water abstraction, and alien invasive species. It was listed as Critically Endangered during the most recent IUCN Red List Assessment for all freshwater fishes done of South Africa. The workshop is part of a process to develop a Biodiversity Management Plan for the Species (BMP-S) and strategies to ensure the species survival while also addressing the broader issue of water security for the Barrydale community. The process is funded by the IUCN Species Survival Commission and also aligns with a new WWF Nedbank Green Trust on water security in the Huis Tradouw Catchment and the IUCN Save Our Species Conservation Action Grant. The workshop brought together key decision makers in the catchment, including the Swellendam Municipality, CapeNature, the Western Cape Government, the Department of Agriculture, and the Breede-Olifants Catchment Management Agency.

Key discussions centred on the ecological status of the Barrydale redfin, the main threats to its survival, and the critical role of the Huis-Tradouw River system in sustaining both the species and the surrounding community. Issues such as invasive species, water abstraction, and pollution were examined, emphasising the need for sustainable water use practices and river health restoration. Participants also reviewed previous conservation and restoration projects within the system and the ongoing development of the BMP-S, identifying areas for improvement and refining strategies for greater impact.
Practical solutions were explored, including habitat restoration, controlling invasive species, water use monitoring and utilising tax incentives for conservation actions. The workshop concluded with a collaborative session where stakeholders worked together to refine an action plan, ensuring that conservation strategies align with the ecological needs of the species and the water security requirements of the local community.

​Our Restoration Manager, Corné Brink, provided a guided tour of the nursery where plants are propagated and later planted back into the Barrydale area. Most of these species are water-wise plants, meaning they have characteristics that help filter and retain water beneath the surface. This ensures more water availability during droughts and reduces the risk of extreme flooding along the river. 

​We also visited several sites to better understand the system and assess potential methods and tools for monitoring water flow. This will help inform how the system can be monitored more accurately to determine water allocation and ensure adequate environmental flow. 

Our Restoration Manager, Corné Brink provided a guided tour of the nursery where plants are propagated and later planted back into the Barrydale area

It is important to note that the BMP-S is still in its early phase, and further workshops are planned to engage more stakeholders in the development and refinement of the plan, including assigning roles and responsibilities. This plan will ensure that moving forward, stakeholders remain committed to implementing effective conservation measures and bringing together key partners to carry out agreed-upon interventions. This will not only help enhance the survival of this threatened species but also ensure ongoing water security for the Barrydale community.
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This project would not have been possible without the support of the IUCN Species Survival Commission, IUCN Save Our Species Conservation Action Grant, WWF Nedbank Green Trust, our implementing partners Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve, and participating organisations, including the Freshwater Research Centre, CapeNature, Swellendam Municipality, the Western Cape Government, the Department of Agriculture, and the Breede-Olifants Catchment Management Agency.

We visited several sites to better understand the system and assess potential methods and tools for monitoring. Frankie A’ Bear with Wilma Karsten, Bruce Paxton, Ricardo Januarie and Willem Treurnicht