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.

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

30

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

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

  • 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.

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.

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

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS & PARTNERS
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