​On March 20th, the Grootvadersbosch Conservancy hosted a workshop focused on the conservation of the Tradouw redfin (also called the Barrydale Redfin) (Pseudobarbus burchelli) 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 Tradouw 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.
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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. 

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 are excited to share the progress of our project, funded by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which focuses on protecting a critically endangered freshwater fish population in the Huis River. The project, called Creating a Safe Home in the Huis River for the Tradouw Redfin, is a collaborative effort with the local community of Barrydale to safeguard this unique species and their fragile habitat.

The Huis River, which flows through the Western Cape of South Africa, is the last known refuge for a critically endangered population of redfin, Pseudobarbus sp. ‘burchelli Tradouw’, commonly called the Tradouw or Barrydale Redfin. The population in the Tradouw Pass, which is part of the Grootvadersbosch Conservancy, appears to be in decline so urgent action is needed to protect these fish who may now be confined to isolated pools above the town of Barrydale, by ensuring their safe haven in the Huis River, we hope to enable the possibility of reestablishing the species in the Tradouw Pass.
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An essential part of this initiative involves reducing the pressure on the river's water resources. During the summer months, when water is scarce and the fish need it most, low river flows pose a significant threat to the redfin’s survival. To address this, we have been working with local community members to reduce the need for water extraction from the river by providing rainwater storage solutions.

​Through the generous support of The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), we have distributed rainwater tanks to community members who expressed a need for water and a commitment to help protect the river system. These tanks are designed to collect rainwater during the winter months, which can then be used to meet the community's needs in the drier summer season. By relying on stored rainwater, we reduce the demand on the Huis River, which in turn helps protect the delicate balance of the freshwater ecosystem.

This project not only benefits the redfin but also encourages water conservation and sustainable practices within the community. With growing pressure on municipal water supplies, agricultural development, and tourism, every effort to conserve water is vital. The tanks have been distributed to those who have shown a strong commitment to river conservation, and we encourage all members of the Barrydale community to do their part in saving water. Together, we can protect the Tradouw Redfin and ensure a healthy future for the Huis River.

​Hydrological monitoring of our river systems is a vital part of conserving our aquatic species. To do this effectively, human-made structures and/or equipment are used to collect data and monitor the environment and its condition. The Department of Water Affairs and Sanitation is responsible for the management of hydrological gauging weirs across the country. These weirs need to be kept in working order to understand and monitor changes in river flow. At the end of last year, the conservancy played a crucial role in ensuring these weirs continue to provide vital information, while averting a devastating impact on a critically endangered fish. 

​BACKGROUND

The Tradouw Redfin (Pseudobarbus burchelli) is only found in the Huis and Tradouw Rivers, close to the town of Barrydale. These fish are critically endangered and threatened by two main factors: 1) Invasive fish (such as bass, and bluegills) that predates on the redfins, and 2) the reduced water flow in the Tradouw and Huis River systems that impacts water quality and fish habitat.  Obtaining accurate data on river flow is therefore crucial to ensure the long-term survival of the species.

In October 2022, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS – Hydrological Services) was about to commence a routine clean-up of the Huis River’s gauging weir, below the town of Barrydale. Recordings of the surface flow data is done using a gauging weir system which provides important data on the aquatic environment and its condition. An obstructed passageway at the weir will produce inaccurate readings of the flow of the river. The maintenance had been postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and excessive sediment had built up in the gauging pool. DWS was unaware that a large population of critically endangered Redfin was living in the pool above the weir that now needed to be cleared of sediment.  
Fortunately, some of the Grootvadersbosch Conservancy staff were doing fish monitoring in the Huis River and observed that the DWS was proceeding with removing sediment from the pool above the weir with a potential devasting impact on the redfin population. The Grootvadersbosch Conservancy team contacted Cape Nature who informed the DWS of the redfin species and its whereabouts. The DWS immediately postponed the maintenance until a collective agreement could be found to protect the fish.
Thanks to all three parties: Cape Nature, the DWS, and the Grootvaderbosch Conservancy a rescue plan was then implemented to translocate the critically endangered Tradouw Redfin from the pool above the weir to a safe site on the Tradouw River. 

​RESCUE PLAN

Dr. Martine Jordaan, a Cape Nature fish specialist, led the rescue plan and the main objective was to catch as many redfins as possible and relocate them to a secure place. Firstly, sandbags were placed above the weir pool to temporarily isolate the pool from the river. Dr. Martine and her team then used fish nets, hand nets, and buckets to catch the fish in the isolated pool. Dr. Martine and her team observed, in a single netting, a total of >900 redfins, and thousands of tadpoles were seen on the pool’s surface. The fish were translocated to the dam at Joubert Tradouw Private Cellars, located in the upper regions of the Tradouw river. Some of the redfin populations were also translocated to the Tradouw River release sites. It is estimated that the expedition resulted in the successful translocation of over 4000 Tradouw Redfins.

​With all the fish safely removed, the DWS could then continue with the maintenance and removal of sediment. As indicated in the image below, the vegetation in areas A and B was removed and placed in area D. Area C is where the sluice valves are located and are used to lower the water levels. The red line in the image below indicates the area where the sandbag structure was positioned. 

​​This project created a unique conservation opportunity, where all parties worked together to achieve a common objective to protect our rivers. A further benefit was that the DWS is now engaging directly with Cape Nature to understand any other gauging weirs that might be close to important indigenous fish populations. There is now a plan to engage across organisations for the maintenance of river flow gauging stations. This will ensure a more secure and effective way to monitor our river systems while conserving, not only the Tradouw Redfin but, all indigenous fish in the Western Cape.