​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.

​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.

​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.