FOSAF NEWS - Final list of rivers for alien fish control in the Western Cape

The table below is the final list of 18 rivers which are being considered for alien fish control, two of which contain rainbow trout. 

The previous lists of “96 rivers” and “41 rivers” are no longer under consideration. It is important to note that with the exception of the Krom in the Olifants/Doring system it is unlikely that control work will commence on any of the rivers within the next 12 months. The first option in the Krom  is to remove alien fishes by mechanical means rather than the use of a piscicide.

Doring River redfin (photo by Riaan van der Walt)

In order to clear a single river of alien fishes requires considerable funding, manpower and time (up to 2 years) so it is unlikely that the entire project (all 18 rivers) will be completed within the next twenty years. CapeNature is also aware of the concerns of trout anglers regarding the other Krom River which is a tributary of the Smalblaar/Molenaars in the Breede River system. Further fish surveys and a detailed project plan are still required for this stream before any trout control operations are contemplated. Prior to trout control operations there will be comprehensive negotiations with key stakeholders including FOSAF and the Cape Piscatorial Society. It should be noted that most of the rivers in the table are small streams with little interest to flyfishers as they are invaded by one or more bass species which rarely reach reasonable angling size.

14 of these rivers were discussed at a workshop at Jonkershoek in May this year and Minutes of the meeting plus the presentation may be accessed on the FOSAF website at http://www.fosaf.co.za/ywgDocuments.php

Also refer to the excellent book on the indigenous fishes of the Western Cape, 'Swimming on the Edge of Extinction' by Craig Garrow & Sean Marr.
Contact jenny@blueweaver.co.za or 021-7014477 for a copy.

River	River system	Endangered fish species	Alien fish present	comments
Krom	Olifants-Doring	Doring fiery redfin Clanwilliam sawfin	RT, LMB, BG	EIA river
Kromme	Kromme	Kromme redfin	LMB	EIA river, only one in Eastern Cape
Suurvlei	Olifants-Doring	Twee River redfin	CK, CWYF	EIA river
Rondegat	Olifants-Doring	Fiery redfin	SMB	EIA river, recently cleared of bass
Biedouw	Olifants-Doring	Clanwilliam sawfin Clanwilliam sandfish	SMB, SB	1 of 14 rivers discussed at workshop
Jan Dissels	Olifants-Doring	Clanwilliam sawfin Fiery redfin	SMB, BG	~
Hex	Olifants-Doring	Clanwilliam sawfin	SMB	~
Breekrans	Olifants-Doring	Clanwilliam sawfin, Doring fiery redfin	SMB	~
Twee	Olifants-Doring	Twee River redfin	CK, CWYF, BG	~
Middeldeur	Olifants-Doring	Twee River redfin	CK, CWYF, BG	~
Krom Antonies	Verlorenvlei	Verlorenvlei redfin	LMB, BT	~
Krom	Breede	Giant redfin	RT	~
Upper Riviersonderend	Breede	Giant redfin		~
Kars	Heuningness	Heuningness redfin	LMB, BG	~
Poort	Heuningness	Hueningness redfin	LMB, BG	~
Tradouw	Breede	Barrydale redfin	LMB, BT	~
Huis	Breede	Barrydale redfin	LMB, BT	~
Upper Driehoeks	Olifants-Doring	Doring fiery redfin	LMB	~

BT = banded tilapia, BG= Bluegill sunfish, CK = Cape kurper, CWYF = Clanwilliam yellowfish, LMB = Largemouth bass, SMB = smallmouth bass, SB = spotted bass and RT = rainbow trout.

Jan Dissels River, Cederberg (photo by Riaan van der Walt)

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