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
(this is the region below the Cape Fold Belt, from the Cederberg, running to Port Elizabeth). |
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.
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
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PROJECT SUMMARY
5Collaborative field trips between CN and GVBC staff between 2018 and 2022
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30 Sites surveyed, >750 fish measured (ongoing)
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SASS5Comprehensive fish survey and SASS5 aquatic invertebrate assessment for each site
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56 Distribution records linked to voucher specimens and DNA samples.
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5Education murals painted on schools and public spaces to promote awarenes
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4A0 posters printed and placed in schools and local prominent sites to raise awareness
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4Staff trained in Field work and SASS techniques
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THAT’S WHY WE WORK TO RESTORE AND PROTECT THE RIVERS In The GROOTVADERSBOSCH CONSERVANCY
OUR PLAN:
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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.
….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) |
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SUMMARY OF OUR RIVER SYSTEMS AND WHAT WE HAVE LEARNT THROUGH GASPP |
RIETVALLEI RIVER
High Mountain kloof flows into Grootvadersbosch Fish: Galaxis SASS SCORE: ASPT Considerations: Why are capensis not found here? Range extension of Galaxis Conservation Importance: Maintain flows as important to maintain quality in main stream LOWER BUFFELJAGS RIVER
River refreshed by mountain streams Fish: Tilapia, Catfish SASS SCORE: B Considerations: Understand impact of invasive fish? Impact of Municipal and agricultural water use Actions: Ensure continuous mountain tributary supply to main stem CALEDON RIVER
High Mountain kloof flows into Grootvadersbosch Fish: Capensis SASS SCORE: ASPT Considerations: Implication of abstraction on population, Upstream Range extension of capensis Conservation Importance: Maintain flows as important to maintain quality in main stream UPPER BUFFELJAGS RIVER
High Mountain kloof flows into tradouw Fish: Capensis, Galaxis only in lower section SASS SCORE: ASPT Considerations: Range limit of galaxis? Why no fish found in upper Kruis Conservation Importance: Important stream to refresh Grootvadersbosch river LOWER TRADOUW RIVER
Upper mountain stream on border with CapeNature Fish: Sandelia, Breede Redfin, Galaxia. Catfish SASS SCORE: B Considerations: Understand the range limit on the redfin. What is the impact of catfish invasion Conservation Importance: Containment of invasive spread to upper sections UPPER TRADOUW RIVER
River Flows through Dairy farming activities Fish: Catfish, Tilapia, Capensis (upper sites only) SASS SCORE: C Considerations: Understand the range limit on capensis? What is the impact of catfish invasion? How is agricultural impacting the system? Conservation Importance: Limit agricultural pollution and over abstraction. Maintain river free of invasives LOWER HUIS RIVER
Flows through agriculture and town of Barrydale Fish: Limited Tradou Redfin population Considerations: Threats to population and why numbers are diminishing Conservation Importance: Ensure consistent flows all year limit agriculture and municipal use, Alien clearing along rivers, Ensure adequate water quality UPPER HUIS RIVER
Upper Mountain stream with no agricultural activity Fish: Tradou Redfin Considerations: Range limit, threats to current limited population, implications of transferring population upstream Conservation Importance: Investigate expanding population upstream of donkergat, Maintain sufficient water in breeding pool at all times GATBOS RIVER
High Mountain kloof flows into tradouw Fish: No fish recorded to date SASS SCORE: ASPT Considerations: Why are no fish found in a section of such good habitat Conservation Importance: Could this also be a safe habitat for Tradouw refin establishment? LOWER GROOTVADERSBOSCH RIVER
KRUIS RIVER
UPPER GROOTVADERSBOSCH RIVER
UPPER DUIWENHOKS RIVER
Upper Mountain stream with no agricultural activity Fish: Tradou Redfin Considerations: Range limit, threats to current limited population, implications of transferring population upstream Conservation Importance: Investigate expanding population upstream of donkergat, Maintain sufficient water in breeding pool at all times |
Future Conservation Action and what can you do
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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.
DOWNLOADS
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.
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)
MTB PERMITS: Available all hours at the Office (Cash in honesty box or Snapscan)
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phone |
071 691 6463
(Vodacom landline during office hours) |
address |