Sights unseen: finding the hidden secrets of the Grootvadersbos rivers
Thanks to an ongoing project funded by the Table Mountain Fund, CapeNature’s aquatic biologists Dr Martine Jordaan and Ms Jeanne Gouws are collaborating with the Grootvadersbos Conservancy to unearth the fishy secrets from the rivers of the Tradouw and Duiwendhoks catchments.
Grootvadersbos Conservancy borders the Grootvadersbos Nature reserve and the Langeberg Mountain Catchment Area (MCA) and is home to a number of mountain tributaries. Due to the mountainous terrain, these streams have, until very recently, been unexplored in terms of aquatic biodiversity.
Joint field surveys are ongoing and to date a number of new distribution localities for native fish have been recorded. The native fish compliment of the area comprise the Breede river redfin, the Cape kurper and the Cape galaxias, all three of which are endemic to the Cape Fold Ecoregion. From a biodiversity perspective these records are very important as the majority of the freshwater fish species of the Western Cape Province is highly threatened and at risk of extinction in the future. The main threats to freshwater fish are loss of habitat due to poor land use practices, pollution, water abstraction and predatory invasive fish species. Many of rivers associated with the conservancy originate on either Grootvadersbos Nature Reserve or the Mountain catchment area and through good land use practices the conservancy is aiding in the conservation of these very species fish in off-reserve areas.
Scientific outcomes of the project include the collection of DNA samples and voucher specimens for researchers working at the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity and collecting data for use in Red List Assessments. The project also has a strong focus on human capital development and in-field training in fish survey techniques is provided for the conservancy staff. While baseline sampling is still ongoing, the vision is to set up a collaborative long term monitoring program between staff from CapeNature and the Conservancy.
Related News
Catch and release helps to conserve the Western Cape’s indigenous fish
Freshwater ecosystems across the Western Cape are rich in biodiversity, supporting a variety of indigenous fish. However, these species are increasingly threatened by the spread of invasive alien fish species, that prey on indigenous species and compete with them for food, space, and breeding grounds.
Celebrating innovative, resilient women in tourism
Women are thriving in tourism and wielding influence from the boardroom to hiking trails, where they beat a pathway for others to follow. They occupy 70% of the tourism workforce in South Africa, and their voices are being amplified in the sector now more than ever. A powerful yet often overlooked statistic that underscores their vital role in the sector.
Rivers, Watersheds, and the Klein Estuary: A 2025 Natural Breach Event
Over millions of years, South Africa’s rivers and watersheds have evolved through the forces of erosion, rainfall, and shifting geology. A river catchment, or watershed, is an area of land where all surface water flows toward a single river, stream, or channel, eventually reaching the sea.
Avian Influenza detected in Western Cape: Public urged to stay alert, not alarmed
High pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI or “bird flu”) is a viral disease of birds that can also, on rare occasions, infect humans and mammals. The virus spreads through bird faeces and droplets from the nose and mouth, and is present in other body fluids and tissues of dead birds. The disease can cause high mortality rates in domestic poultry.
Independent experts’ review of draft action plan for baboon management now available
The Cape Peninsula Baboon Management Joint Task Team (CPBMJTT) consisting of representatives from SANParks, CapeNature, and the City of Cape Town, wants to inform residents, interested parties, and stakeholders that the independent expert panel’s review of the proposed action plan on baboon management is now available to the public.
Boost for freshwater biodiversity as Wilderness Nature Reserve declared
A new nature reserve has been declared in the Western Cape, marking another significant milestone for the province’s environment. The Wilderness Nature Reserve, spanning over 643 hectares, has been declared a Provincial Nature Reserve in terms of the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (Act 57 of 2003).
How can I assist you today?
How can I assist you today?