AT THE TOP OF THAT LIST IS THE
TRADOUW REDFIN
(P. BURCHELLI SP. ‘TRADOU’). 

This tiny fish with its bright-red fin is one of the 5 top freshwater fishes that need immediate conservation attention in the Cape Fold Ecoregion.

WE ARE ALSO HOME TO GALAXIA
SPECIES, THE BREEDE RIVER REDFIN
​AND THE BREEDE SANDELIA CAPENSIS.

THESE ARE CONSIDERED VULNERABLE, ENDANGERED OR CRITICALLY ENDANGERED.

These fish are the flagship species for a the TMF-funded project to protect our rivers which provide vital ecosystem services that support liveliehoods. Our rivers face severe threats, in particular from invasive alien predatory fish and alien vegetation along the riverbanks.
Over time, human activities have also impacted, including water abstraction and instances where the ​river’s flow has been modified. 

Our project is called the Grootvadersbosch Aquatic Species Protection Project (GASPP) and will be implemented over three years with a range of partners.

Project objectiveS

• Improving fine scale knowledge of freshwater fish distributions in the area.
• Collecting voucher material to assist in ongoing taxonomic revisions.
• Identify threats to freshwater fish and their associated habitat.
• Identify actions that could benefit the survival of the indigenous fish community and safeguard their habitat.
• Human capacity development in the field of freshwater fish sampling and identification.
• Collaborate with exiting CapeNature initiatives related to the conservation plan for the highly threatened Tradouw redfin.

PROJECT SUMMARY

5

Collaborative field trips between CN and GVBC staff between 2018 and 2022

32

 Sites surveyed, >750 fish measured (ongoing)

SASS5

Comprehensive fish survey and SASS5 aquatic invertebrate assessment for each site

56

 Distribution records linked to voucher specimens and DNA samples.

SURVEY

300

Training of field rangers in fish survey techniques and SASS5 invertebrate assessments.

Environmental outreach to over 300 local children with mini sass and environmental workshops

5

Education murals painted on schools and public spaces to promote awarenes

4

A0 posters printed and placed in schools and local prominent sites to raise awareness

4

Staff trained in Field work and SASS techniques

THAT’S WHY WE WORK TO RESTORE AND PROTECT THE RIVERS In The  GROOTVADERSBOSCH CONSERVANCY
 
OUR PLAN: 

• We monitor and collect data (on water flow, fish and other aquatic species and water quality);
• We increase awareness of the importance of freshwater ecosystems with key stakeholders;
• We create partnerships with the right people to protect our rivers;
• We work with partners to act on the information we collect, by addressing habitat degradation, bank alteration, environmental flows, and by trting to remove and limite the spread of invasive fish. 

​Indigenous freshwater fish 

The freshwater fish of the Cape Fold Ecoregion consists of four families of fish. These are the Anabantidae and Galaxidae with one described species each, the Cyprinidae which are the perhaps better known redfins and yellowfishes…

….and finally the rock catlets which are endemic to the Olifants – Doring river system to the west of the province and not found in our systems.
​

3 of the 4 FAMILIES ​OF FISH in the Cape Fold Ecoregion are found in our area

Cape galaxias Galaxias zebratus 

Cape kurper Sandelia capensis 

Longfin eel Anguilla mossambica 

Breede river redfin  Pseudobarbus sp. nov. ‘breede’

Tradouw redfin Pseudobarbus burchelli 

Non-native freshwater fish

Banded tilapia kurper (Tilapia sparrmanii) 

Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) 

Sharptooth catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) 

Bluegill (Lepomis Macrochirus)

Catfish: Features are strong pectoral fins with serrated spines, long barbels, or feelers on the mouth.

Tilapia: Features are the prominent dark spot on dorsal fin,foremost portion of the dorsal fin is heavily spined, deep bodies and long dorsal fins.

Tilapia: Features are the prominent dark spot on dorsal fin,foremost portion of the dorsal fin is heavily spined, deep bodies and have long dorsal fins.

Catfish: Features are strong pectoral fins with serrated spines, long barbels, or feelers on the mouth.

Blue Gill: Features are the relatively large eye, slight v in tail, steep head profile.

SUMMARY OF OUR RIVER SYSTEMS AND WHAT WE HAVE LEARNT THROUGH GASPP

RIETVALLEI RIVER

High Mountain kloof flows into Grootvadersbosch

SASS 2022: B (Good) 

Fish: Galaxias

Conservation Questions: Why are Sandelia not found here. What is the range extension of Galaxias?
Conservation Importance: Maintain flow as the tributaries are important to maintain water quality in the main Buffeljags

LOWER BUFFELJAGS RIVER

Below Suurbraak. River refreshed by mountain streams

SASS 2022: B (Good) 
Fish: Tilapia, Catfish

Conservation Questions: Need to better understand the impact of invasive fish. Implications of municipal and agricultural water use on water quality
Actions: Monitor water quality and contain spread of invasive fish​

CALEDON RIVER

High Mountain kloof flows into Buffeljags River above Suurbraak

​SASS 2022: A (Natural) 
Fish: Sandelia

Conservation Questions: Better understanding on water abstraction on fish population. What is the range extension of Sandelia?
Conservation Importance: Maintain flows as the tributaries are important to maintain quality in the main Buffeljags.

UPPER BUFFELJAGS RIVER

River section from confluence with Tradouw River and the town of Suurbraak
​
SASS 2023: C (Fair) 
Fish: Catfish, Tilapia

Conservation Actions: Monitor water quality and spread of invasive fish  

LOWER TRADOUW RIVER

Below waterfall barrier before confluence with Buffeljags

​SASS 2023: B (Good) 
Fish: Tilapia

Conservation Actions: Monitor water quality and spread of invasive fish populations. 

UPPER TRADOUW RIVER

Below town of Barrydale to waterfall barrier near end of pass. River quality is declining and Tradouw redfin population in decline.

SASS 2023: D (Critically Modified) 
Fish: Tilapia, Bluegill,  Indigenous eels

Conservation Actions: Declining water quality due to low flows from Huis River, Extensive invasive fish population. Urgent action required to improve water quality and flow, no redfin caught. 

LOWER HUIS RIVER

Flows through agriculture and town of Barrydale. River often stops flowing.

​SASS 2023: E (Critically Modified) 
Fish: Large Redfin population (with parasitic infestations)

Conservation Actions: Ensure consistent flows all year and limit agriculture and municipal use. Alien clearing along rivers required. Ensure adequate water quality and flow. Redfin population large but parasites visible

UPPER HUIS RIVER

Upper Mountain stream with no agricultural activity

SASS 2023: C (Fait) 
Fish: Tradouw Redfin in pool at donkergat and one above. None above barrier

Conservation Actions: Critically important habitat for Tradouw redfin survival. Investigate expanding population upstream of donkergat barrier. Maintain sufficient water in breeding pool at all times. Unclear why SASS score dropped above donkergat.

GATBOS RIVER

High Mountain kloof flows into tradouw river

Conservation Questions: A (Natural) 
Fish: No fish recorded to date

Conservation Actions: Maintain flows as the tributaries are important to maintain quality in the Tradouw. 

LOWER GROOTVADERSBOSCH RIVER

River flows through agricultural activity before meeting Tradouw river.

SASS 2022: D (Modified)
Fish: Catfish, Tilapia, galaxia

Conservation Actions: Investigate sources of pollution and interventions to improve water quality, impact of floods resulted in unusual siting of galaxia that must have been washed down​

KRUIS RIVER

Flows from Kleinberg through gorge. Mountain stream in good condition which refreshes main Grootvadersbosch stream

SASS 2023: B (Good) 
Fish: Galaxias and Sandelia

Conservation Actions: Maintain flows as the tributaries are important to maintain quality in the main Grootvadersbosch​

UPPER GROOTVADERSBOSCH RIVER

River section from Nature Reserve boundary through light agriculture. Very important fish habitat 

SASS 2022: C (Fair( 
Fish: Sandelia, Breede Redfin, Galaxias, Tilapia, Catfish

Conservation Questions: What are the implications of Catfish and how can one limit invasion?
Conservation Actions: Mantain indigenous population and consider barrier to limit spread upstream​

UPPER DUIWENHOKS RIVER

Upper Mountain stream with no agricultural activity in upper section.Important fish habitat.

SASS 2022: A (Natural) 

Fish: Breede Redfin, Sandelia, Galaxia, Indigenous Eels, Tilapia in lower sections.

Conservation Questions: What is the Impact of alien vegetation? Why are Breede redfin only found lower down in the system?
Conservation Actions: Extensive agricultural activity and chance of over abstraction and low flows. Additional alien clearing required. 

Future Conservation Action and what can you do

• Ongoing monitoring of the Tradouw redfin (monitoring since 2012). 
• Initiation of longterm monitoring of Grootvadersbosch River given the presence of invasive sharptooth catfish.
• Best management practices for landowners to maintain or improve the condition of their rivers and riparian areas.
• Ongoing alien plant clearing efforts.
• Implementation of more conservation measures for the Tradouw Redfin.

MANY OF THE RIVERS ARE HARD TO GET TO

 (high up in the mountain ranges) – so there’s not much known about aquatic species here.

THAT’S A VITAL ELEMENT IN OUR PROJECT:
​TO DISCOVER THE AQUATIC RICHES OF THE GROOTVADERSBOSCH CONSERVANCY.

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DOWNLOADS

DOWNLOAD FIELD REPORT

POSTERS

Communication and Environmental Education

Reached over 300 local children

4 Mini-sass sessions with local schools
4 Out reach and educational days
4 Murals painted
4 signs installed at schools and visible points

Partnership with local Suurbraak artist, Donovan Julius.

Mural Project with support from Western Cape Government and Silver Mountain Foundation.

CONTACT THE
​GROOTVADERSBOSCH CONSERVANCY

OFFICE HOURS: Mon to Thu: 7:30am to 5pm. Friday: 730 to 4pm. We are closed every second Friday.
MTB PERMITS: Available all hours at the Office (Cash in honesty box or Snapscan)

email

info@gvbconservancy.co.za
​

phone

071 691 6463
(Vodacom landline during office hours)

address

Map & Directions here